This conversation questions the use of art in public planning and place-making strategies and considers alternative means by which artistic practices respond to the specificities of place.

Alan Boldon (Faculty of Arts, University of Brighton) has, over several decades, focused consistently on interdisciplinary approaches to ecological place-shaping; he led the development of Arts and Ecology at Dartington College of Arts and has worked on place-making strategies as an RSA Fellow and consultant. Elaine Speight is an artist, curator, and co-founder of In Certain Places with whom she has curated public artworks including Newling's Preston Market Mystery Project. Ferdiansyah Thajib is a writer, cultural theorist and co-director of KUNCI Cultural Studies Centre who works with Nottingham's 'twinned' site in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.