DNA of Place with Daniel Hintz, Velocity Group

Claremore Collective hosted Daniel Hintz with the Velocity Group to share his DNA of Place model at the March Think Tank sponsored by RCB Bank. 

He began his visit to Claremore with a two hour tour of downtown.

He shared his initial impression of retailers with "solid bones and level of maturity" in their setup, displays and product layout. Some of these include: District on Main, Rhaposody Boutique, The Burlap Closet and The Haberdashery. 

Placemaking and the Economic Development Model

Hintz urged that placemaking and economic development have taken on a new model. Formerly economic development focused on jobs, that were site specific based on goods; whereas, the newer model is based on talent, ideas and your entire community. This model is based on a larger global scale that is third party dependent.

The new model was initially sparked following WWII when Americans returned from Europe experiencing new ideas and cultures. This paired with the explosion of the internet in the early 1990s caused a disruption in economic development, with a global market. 

How do you turn ideas into opportunities? 

"Place matters. Your entire place has to be powerful to attract the talent here. Place is a profound and positive economic development tool." 

• Investing in Place - May 2014 - American Planning Association National Poll
• Majority said investing in schools, transportation choices and walkable areas is a better way to grow the economy. 
• Quality of life features fell ahead of economic health and jobs prospects. Rated last was living in a suburb.
• 44% of GenX and Baby Boomers and 55% of millennials polled were looking to move in the next five years. 

Where will they move? How might we attract them as customers to Claremore?

This is why place is vitally important.

3 Basic Realms of Place
Places that are everywhere that compete via scale.
Places that are nowhere that compete with price.
Places that are somewhere that compete by experience and context.

DNA of Place - Four Approaches 

1. Safety - Do you have the ability to explore who you are, what you want and the things around you in safety?
2. Selection - Where are my friends? What products are offered? What can I do? Where can I spend my time?
3. Service -  What offerings are in this place?
4. Surprise - What are the positive things that elevate and encourage you to want to experience a place? What reinvigorates you?

Theater of Cool 
The context drives your experience and sense of place. 

1. Design Your Stage - Experience Districts that give purpose and place. Name Them and Claim Them.
2. Build Your Set - Understand your physical parameters and boundaries, streetscape, the look of your buildings, and architectural standards. Understand and establish your rules and regulations and stick with them!
3. Place Your Props - The things your can engage with an move around, such as restaurants, shops, food trucks, art pieces.
4. Fill Your Stage with Actors - Fill your place with people. You place is driven by people. 

"You have to jump in and be a part of this. You cannot do this outside of the conversation, and be a passive observer of placemaking. People are telling your story whether you know it or not. Define your story. Own your story. Get your story out there. When other people take it up, AMPLIFY IT! Turn them into champions. The best thing you can do is turn negative people into your biggest champions."

Want to jump in? Tell us what you want to see in downtown here.

#BLVDANDBEYOND