Place-based work

• Place‑based work means designing and delivering solutions that are rooted in the specific needs, strengths, and conditions of a particular geographic community
• It’s the opposite of one‑size‑fits‑all programming
• Instead of importing a generic model, place‑based work starts with the place itself — its people, history, assets, challenges, and local systems
• Used to address complex, interrelated social, economic, or environmental issues that cannot be solved by isolated programs
• CAS approach
  • Wayfinding to align local services, policies, standards, rules rather than isolated programs (i.e., complicated)
  • Wayshaping to change the substrate to enable new interactions and patterns to emerge (i.e., complex)

• When Place‑based work makes sense
  • Past traditional top‑down program failed
    • Idealistic future state was at best a prediction that never materialized
  • Evident of Epistemic injustice
    • Engagement is limited by biasly selecting a few to represent known groups
    • Communities complain their own needs are not understood or interests are ignored
  • Complex issues (poverty, health inequity, climate resilience) require coordinated, context‑specific solutions

Key Characteristics

• Defined geographic focus
  • Granular level down from a large city, county such as a township, neighbourhood, community
• Local people hold leadership power and decision-making authority
  • Able to design and implement actions without approval from above
• Collaboration across sectors
  • Government, nonprofits, businesses, and residents work together
• Appreciation orientation
  • Positive focus on local assets (what we have) rather than focusing only on deficits and gaps
• Long‑term commitment
  • Complex issues require sustained, multi‑year work

Place‑Based Work examples

• Neighbourhood revitalization
• Local economic development
• Child and family wellbeing initiatives
• Disaster recovery and resilience planning
• Indigenous community‑led development
• Sport and physical activity equity programs

These initiatives succeed because they adapt to the unique social, cultural, and environmental context of each place

People‑Based vs. Place‑Based distinction

• People‑based strategies support individuals regardless of where they live (e.g., training, subsidies).
• Place‑based strategies improve the conditions of the place itself — the “soil” that helps everyone thrive.
• Most modern approaches blend both.