Space Becoming Place: A Case Study of the Somerset Belt in Singapore
(2025) SMMM40 20251Department of Service Studies
- Abstract
- This study aims to capture stakeholders’ perspectives on the placemaking process in shaping Singapore's Somerset Belt. Guided by three research questions, it examines: (1) how placemaking is perceived and experienced by stakeholders, (2) the challenges and learning reflections in the placemaking process, and (3) how stakeholders define creativity and how it applies in placemaking. Using purposive sampling, data was collected through 11 online interviews from stakeholders, including a pilot, and an analysis of 21 Instagram Reels from Somerset Belt’s official Instagram page. Using thematic analysis for the collected data, this study
revealed that while stakeholders interpret placemaking differently, they commonly associate it with... (More) - This study aims to capture stakeholders’ perspectives on the placemaking process in shaping Singapore's Somerset Belt. Guided by three research questions, it examines: (1) how placemaking is perceived and experienced by stakeholders, (2) the challenges and learning reflections in the placemaking process, and (3) how stakeholders define creativity and how it applies in placemaking. Using purposive sampling, data was collected through 11 online interviews from stakeholders, including a pilot, and an analysis of 21 Instagram Reels from Somerset Belt’s official Instagram page. Using thematic analysis for the collected data, this study
revealed that while stakeholders interpret placemaking differently, they commonly associate it with transforming physical spaces into meaningful places. Different challenges as tension emerged: dual positionalities, differing interpretations of placemaking among stakeholders, and top-down versus bottom-up approaches. Further, stakeholders reflected the support for collaboration in the placemaking process, but also highlighted the challenges with collaboration. Creativity was consistently seen as central to placemaking, expressed through event programming, idea generation in transforming the space, and the approach to involve the stakeholders in shaping placemaking initiatives. The practical implication involves practitioners to consider the placemaking process that is flexible enough to reflect community needs and structured enough to support meaningful collaboration and sustainable impact. Further, practitioners can consider developing a framework that effectively balances top-down coordination and bottom-up creativity. Future research can consider methodological expansion such as participatory observation and expanding on stakeholder representation, and explore how collaborative tensions affect the shift from placemaking to place-keeping, as well as how stakeholders adapt to evolving place identities in areas like the Somerset Belt. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9207052
- author
- Wanathunga, Anuththara Indeewari LU and Jaffar, Julaina Binte
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SMMM40 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Placemaking, space, stakeholders, Creativity, Singapore
- language
- English
- id
- 9207052
- date added to LUP
- 2025-08-04 11:23:33
- date last changed
- 2025-08-04 11:23:33
@misc{9207052,
abstract = {{This study aims to capture stakeholders’ perspectives on the placemaking process in shaping Singapore's Somerset Belt. Guided by three research questions, it examines: (1) how placemaking is perceived and experienced by stakeholders, (2) the challenges and learning reflections in the placemaking process, and (3) how stakeholders define creativity and how it applies in placemaking. Using purposive sampling, data was collected through 11 online interviews from stakeholders, including a pilot, and an analysis of 21 Instagram Reels from Somerset Belt’s official Instagram page. Using thematic analysis for the collected data, this study
revealed that while stakeholders interpret placemaking differently, they commonly associate it with transforming physical spaces into meaningful places. Different challenges as tension emerged: dual positionalities, differing interpretations of placemaking among stakeholders, and top-down versus bottom-up approaches. Further, stakeholders reflected the support for collaboration in the placemaking process, but also highlighted the challenges with collaboration. Creativity was consistently seen as central to placemaking, expressed through event programming, idea generation in transforming the space, and the approach to involve the stakeholders in shaping placemaking initiatives. The practical implication involves practitioners to consider the placemaking process that is flexible enough to reflect community needs and structured enough to support meaningful collaboration and sustainable impact. Further, practitioners can consider developing a framework that effectively balances top-down coordination and bottom-up creativity. Future research can consider methodological expansion such as participatory observation and expanding on stakeholder representation, and explore how collaborative tensions affect the shift from placemaking to place-keeping, as well as how stakeholders adapt to evolving place identities in areas like the Somerset Belt.}},
author = {{Wanathunga, Anuththara Indeewari and Jaffar, Julaina Binte}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Space Becoming Place: A Case Study of the Somerset Belt in Singapore}},
year = {{2025}},
}