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Placemaking and Public Space Design: Unlocking Place Potential

ProviderLuleå University of Technology (FutureLearn)
Duration2 weeks (~3 hours/week)
CostFree (with limited access; upgrade available)
LevelBeginner
Enrollfuturelearn.com — Unlocking Place Potential

What You'll Learn

How design policy and academic research influence best practice in urban and climate-responsive design. This course gives you the theoretical foundation for creating successful public spaces — from planning frameworks to design principles.

Key Topics

  • Planning policy frameworks — from international agreements to local policies that shape public spaces
  • Sustainable development and public spaces — how great spaces contribute to sustainability goals
  • Urban planning and climate change — how planning decisions influence local climate
  • Research-informed design — evidence-based approaches to creating better places
  • Case studies — analysis of successful (and unsuccessful) public space designs across different climates

Learning Path

Take this course after Unlocking Design Potential to build the policy and planning knowledge on top of the technical skills.

Why This Matters for She Cycles

When you propose a new cycling rest stop or a redesigned public space to your councillor, you need policy language — not just a pretty design. This course teaches you to frame your proposals in terms that planners and politicians understand: sustainability, climate resilience, and evidence-based design.


See Also