What makes a place remarkable and memorable? Is it about trending headlines that reference the world’s ‘largest’ or ‘first?’ Or is it broader – like a development that integrates cultural, social, environmental and economic practices of well-being into a single destination? With perceptions heavily influenced by media exposure, a love for technology and desire for authenticity, society’s answers to where people want to live, gather and make memories are changing.

As our digital world continues to leave behind a never-ending trail of innovation, designers are facing a difficult, yet courageous challenge of creating places that are more than just picturesque, but timeless. We have a responsibility to understand what makes a place exceptional, but even more so, we must build in ways for places to retain their intrigue, relevance and purpose. Placemaking capitalizes on a community’s assets, inspiration and potential with the intention of creating memorable environments that promote health and happiness. It’s less about developing and redeveloping, and more about connecting to nature, culture and the power of their interrelationship with people. It is about transforming outdoor environments into multifaceted destinations that hold within them a myriad of experiences and dozens of moments (and memories) waiting to be discovered.

It’s a new world, a new life and a new economy. As a collective, we must acknowledge that the importance of placemaking in the design process has not changed, but our idea of what makes a place meaningful has. Authentic design in a true sense provides opportunities to collaborate, to reflect. It is a seamless integration of nature, place, people and purpose – and within this practice is the soul of the communities, destinations and public spaces in which special places reside. This intersection of history, culture, preservation and new infrastructure is where we find what makes a place truly remarkable.