Your Place Survey

The survey goes through a series of questions using the Place Standard Tool.

The Place Standard tool is a way of assessing places. The Place Standard tool provides a simple framework to structure conversations about place, based around 14 questions. It allows you to think about the physical elements of a place as well as the social aspects. 

More information on the Place Standard Tool can be found here: The Place Standard Tool

Pleasant and safe routes can encourage people to move around by walking, wheeling and cycling without relying on cars or public transport – this is good for health, and for the environment and air quality. This can include off-road paths, wide pavements, quiet streets with reduced speed limits, and walking and cycling routes that can be used by people in wheelchairs, mobility aids, prams or adapted bikes. 

Think about how easy it is to move around and get to where you want to go in your place.

Good public transport is affordable, reliable and well connected. This can reduce reliance on cars and encourage people to get around in ways that are better for the environment and for their health.

Think about what public transport is like in your place.

Traffic and parking affects how people move around. Good arrangements can help people to get the most out of their place. 

How does traffic and parking affect how you move around in your place?

Buildings, landmarks, greenery, views and natural landscape can help to create an attractive place that people enjoy being in. Distinctive streets and spaces can help people to find their way around, and greener streets and spaces are not just good for wellbeing but also for the environment and for biodiversity.

Think about what the buildings, streets and public spaces are like in your place.

Good quality natural spaces provide many benefits – improving health and wellbeing, supporting wildlife, reducing flooding, and improving air quality. This includes parks and woodlands, fields, streams, canals and rivers, the coastline, green spaces alongside paths and roads, and tree-lined streets. 

Think about how easy it is to regularly enjoy natural space  in your place.

Play and recreation can improve the quality of our lives and our health and wellbeing. Good opportunities for play are essential for children’s development. Places with a range of formal and informal indoor and outdoor spaces and events encourage children, teenagers and adults to play and to enjoy leisure, culture and sporting activities 

Think about how good the spaces and opportunities for play and recreation are like in your place.

When facilities and services in a place, such as schools, doctors, shops, libraries, social care and community groups are easy to access locally, this can help people to live independent, healthy and fulfilling lives. It can be difficult for some people where there is a lack of local facilities, the quality of those facilities is poor, or where the services and support available in the community is limited. 

Think about how well the facilities and services in your place meet your needs. 

A strong local economy with a mix of businesses can help to make places feel active and attractive – most people enjoy spending time in lively places. Access to good quality jobs, volunteering and training can help us to stay active and healthy, provide social connections, a sense of identity and satisfaction, and an income where paid. 

Think about how active the local economy in your place is and if there is any good opportunities for work, volunteering and training. 

Good places have a mix of housing in attractive, safe and connected communities for different types of families and people. Where we live and call home affects our health and wellbeing. 

Think about how well the homes in your place meet the needs of your community.

Good places have a mix of spaces and opportunities to meet and spend time with other people. Some places also have active websites or social media networks to help people meet and take part in the local community. Feeling isolated can be damaging to our health and wellbeing. 

Think about how good the range of opportunities are which allow me to meet and spend time with other people. 

How a place looks, its history and what other people think of it can affect how we feel. A positive identity can also attract people and businesses to move into an area. 

Think about to what extent your place has a positive identity that supports a strong sense of belonging.

How safe a place feels can support community activity, affect people’s wellbeing and influence how and where we spend our time. Good design and maintenance can make places feel safe by reducing crime and antisocial behaviour. 

Think about how safe your place makes you feel. 

Places that are cared for can make us feel positive and secure, while those that are not looked after properly can affect people’s wellbeing. 

Think about how well your place is looked after and cared for.

Having a voice in decision-making can help to build stronger communities and better places. Having a sense of control can make people feel positive about their lives.

Think about when things happen in your place and how well you are listened to and included in decision making.