Planning people–places: A small world network paradigm for masterplanning with people in mind

The research is about planning urban places in a way that is relevant to the changing people–place phenomenon. In particular, the masterplanning of large-scale inner city redevelopment sites are discussed because such places have higher concentrations of people and are where change is most rapid and profound. Complexity theory of cities (CTC) potentially offers an adaptive and resilient masterplanning paradigm for urban change. However, some CTC simulation models of urban change have been criticized because they are devoid of the input of human cognition and perception. This research examines human cognition and perception of place and its role in masterplanning from a tripartite perspective of placemaking: conceived space; perceived space; and adaptive space. The case study area for the research is South Bank, a 42-hectare inner city redevelopment site in Brisbane, Australia.