Founded in 2024, CERM PI’s Placemaking Benchmark Survey provides local governments with a reliable tool for both strategic and operational planning, offering actionable feedback to support more effective placemaking strategies.
The survey focuses on the operational aspects of local government placemaking, which are key to delivering and managing high-quality public spaces. The placemaking indicators were developed based on council input gathered in 2023 through interviews and surveys, alongside insights from the literature, as part of a project supported by the Local Government Research & Development Scheme administered by the Local Government Association of South Australia
Info session for the 2025 Survey
Join our September 4th info session to explore this year’s survey and key findings from last year
How it works
Manager inputs operational management data
Representatives within the councils are provided with a link to a data input form to enter information related to a number of specific operational management indicators. For some councils, the answers to these questions may be readily available, while others may require some background work to ensure the data provided is accurate.
Comparision data provided with CERM PI Placemaking Benchmarks
CERM PI Placemaking Benchmarks are generated based on the responses to the placemaking survey. Each year we publish a report detailing industry benchmarks across councils of varying size. You will receive a detailed analysis of how your council manages placemaking against the industry standard. The benchmarks are reported within specific categories, enabling comparison with similar types of councils. This benchmark helps identify operational areas that could benefit from improvement and make evidence-based decisions for strategic and operational planning.
The 2025 survey will run from September to November 30 so please submit your data within this period. Details will be confrimed closer to the time.
Placemaking guide for local governments
In 2023 Dr Sunny Son embarked on a project investigating placemaking practices in local governments throughout Australia. The aim was to produce resources on placemaking that would aid local governments in effectively planning and managing their public spaces. In addition to the Placemaking Benchmarks survey , a publically available guide was developed based on the findings of the project and a review of the relevant literature.
The guide is designed to support and guide local governments at any stage of placemaking. For councils at an early stage of placemaking, this guide aims to establish an effective system and process for placemaking. For councils excelling in their placemaking efforts, this guide can serve as a checklist to confirm and identify ways to improve their practice.
A copy of the guide can be accessed here.
Feedback from the 2023 project
