Built environments have always been conceived in response to the needs, behaviours and desires of people. Our most beloved places have, during their development, had their creators spend time understanding the people they are designing for. Time understanding the communities who will interact with the project is the basis of human-centred design and user experience in the development of places.

We must understand how to make a place and its community special – to create meaningful experiences that supercharge the community and their values. This is what makes a place unique and memorable, it’s what encourages different groups to take part, tell others and keep coming back.

The connection to local culture, behaviours and values, as well as the profile of the groups of people who will live, work, learn, exercise, recover, grow, play in, and visit is essential understanding to ensure our development concept is authentic and relevant to end-users.