Getting your place-making project started

Why are you doing this?

A useful first step is to understand if there is an identified need that the proposed place, thing or event will meet and if there is a shared community desire for it. It is also important to consider who will lead and drive the project. Good project planning is needed to turn ideas into achievable actions and clear deliverables.

What do you want to achieve?

Consider both the process and the end result. Successful community projects are inclusive and collaborative. They are just as successful at building community and individual capacity and connections as they are at creating places, things or events.

Who is available to help?

People are the most important resource in a project. Consider who will lead the various steps. Who are the other people, groups and agencies that might contribute the necessary energy, time, commitment, creativity, diversity, skills, knowledge, experience, connections to business and other community members, project management, financial and material resources, labour, and guardianship?

Are there existing groups that do or have done similar projects? Christchurch is full of passionate people doing great work in their communities. Ask around to see if there is a group that you can join or get involved in your project. People from groups that have successfully created projects can also be a great mentoring source.

How much time will it take? 

The amount of time required to plan, design and deliver a project can vary greatly depending on what it involves. Sometimes it is the smallest or unexpected things which can hold a project up. See Place-making ideas and local success stories to get an idea of what you need to allow for in terms of timeframe. Don't be put off if the timeframe is longer than expected. Often the best results come from taking the time to connect with others to plan and promote your project.

Talk to your local Council Community Development Advisor (CDA(external link)) or Community Recreation Advisor (CRA)(external link) about your idea and the things you may need to consider.

Which tools will you use?

There are a range of tools available to help you plan, design and deliver your project. Before getting started, identify which tools you’ll use to deliver the best results. See Helpful tools, resources and organisations.

What size budget do you need?

This will vary greatly depending on what you are planning to do. It is a good idea to have at least a small budget to account for possible venue hire or materials. See Funding your project.

You can also ask your local CDA/CRA(external link) for advice on sources of funding for your project and how to access free or discounted community equipment and resources. 

What potential issues or problems may occur?

A number of issues or problems may occur when implementing your project, whether anticipated or unexpected. These may be generated by division within the community, by the need to obtain access to the project site, obtain regulatory consents and/or secure funding and other assistance. The following may assist:

Most place-making projects generally follow these steps

The Council’s local Community Development and Community Recreation Advisors (CDAs and CRAs) are based within the seven community board areas. They can be a good first contact to run through your project and help you identify what is needed.

They can assist by connecting you to other areas of the Council to help with information and any Council requirements, such as regulatory consents.

Community Development Advisors (CDAs)

CDAs provide a range of services and support for community-led projects, including:

• information about existing strategic plans and community facilities and spaces;
• initial connections to the right people in the Council, e.g. the Council unit which 'owns' assets such as public parks and other infrastructure like roads and street furniture;
• ongoing contact with you, including facilitating meetings/contact with the Council’s asset owner;
• advice about making connections within and engaging with your local community;
• workshop facilitation;
• advice about skills development and capacity-building within the community;
• support with problem-solving;
• advice about how to prepare a feasibility study and/or business plan;
• information about likely costs and assistance with identifying possible funding sources; and
• advice on how to get community board support for your project and funding for any associated capital works.

Community Recreation Advisors (CRAs)

CRAs support community recreation and sporting groups and organisations to strengthen and create opportunities for people to be more active more often.

They do everything the CDAs do, as well as:

• support the organising and running of community events, including information about community facilities and spaces; and
• help develop skills for communities looking to run their own recreation activities.