Placemaking

Placemaking recognises that people who traditionally connect to, live, work and visit a place, have the deepest understanding of that place and should be a part of shaping its future.

We facilitate placemaking in different ways ranging from large infrastructure projects to small temporary projects or activations that help reimagine public spaces such as:

• footpaths
• roadways
• plazas
• parks
• laneways.

Placemaking improves the community’s connection to public spaces, creating welcoming places and memorable experiences. We can use placemaking as a mechanism for working towards strategic goals across a variety of areas including:

• sustainability
• economic prosperity
• public safety
• community health
• greening
• culture and inclusion.

You play a key role in placemaking through engaging, facilitating and providing feedback on key projects, attending or co-designing community activations and events, as well as implementing your own initiatives with support from us.

Placemaking is informed by the history, culture and diversity of a place, while also considering the needs of future communities, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. At its core, placemaking aims to create more welcoming, walkable, safe and engaging public spaces for everyone, focusing on the design, activation and management of these places.

Glen Eira Placemaking Strategy 2023–2027

Placemaking Projects

Since the Glen Eira Placemaking Strategy was adopted in 2023 along with the action plan. The strategy’s vision is to ensure that our municipality’s thriving public spaces are welcoming, functional, and sustainable. Since then, Council have been working together to implement the actioned outlined in the plan. Looking forward, we will continue to deliver the objectives outlined in the plan.

Some small projects that we’ve delivered so far…

Adopt-a-planter box trial

Following an expression of interest process, one local activity centre and one neighbourhood centre were selected to take part in Council’s first adopt-a-planter box trial. Groups of local businesses have volunteered to look after the plants, helping contribute to a greener streetscape.

Our Parks team are helping source and install the plants and boxes which will be in Neerim Road, Murrumbeena and at the local centre on the corner of Murrumbeena Road and Oakleigh Road. The trial will last for six months at which time Council Officers will evaluate the success of the program and locations. 

Murrumbeena Mural and Historical Decals

The local community saw potential in an empty building at Neerim Road and Murrumbeena Road and voiced concerns about its negative impact due to graffiti and posters. In response, the Council and the building owner cleaned and painted the building. They also commissioned a colourful 40-meter mural from Killing Time art studio, inspired by Margaret Tuckett’s 1905 book A Year in My Garden. Additionally, historical photos and an Acknowledgement of Country were installed on the shopfront windows to enhance the pedestrian experience and celebrate local history.

Glen Huntly - Vacant to Vibrant

Following Council’s Shopfront Improvement Workshop with the Glen Huntly Traders’ Association last year and continual engagement with the Centre representatives, a placemaking project has been identified that aims to reduce the impact of vacant shopfronts on the streetscape.

Council is collaborating with local artist Kate Birrell on a street gallery of window decals that will add colour and vibrancy to empty shopfronts. This will involve five different window decal designs (1200mm width) being installed on the outside of shop windows. There are currently around 16 vacant shops in the Glenhuntly Road. Council officers are seeking building owners’ permission prior to installation.

Book a community space

We have three multi-purpose community spaces available to book at no cost for not-for-profit community groups. The spaces provide a perfect opportunity for community and trader groups to facilitate a wide range of placemaking activities.

• Bentleigh Community Space, Centre Road, Bentleigh (formerly Bentleigh Rotunda)
• Carnegie Community Space, Neerim Road, Carnegie
• Carnegie Library Forecourt, between Koornang Road and Shepparson Avenue, Carnegie

All spaces have power available and have a dedicated ‘stage’ type area suitable for performances.