Place Development

Seeking the natural state of place

What is sustainable place development?

We define it as the process of creating urban spaces, places and areas that are active and attractive for people and businesses, on nature's premises.

It involves creating places that are functional and appealing, and have a strong place identity through site-specific city life programming and communication, and a sustainable place economy.

20 years of placemaking

Natural State has more than 20 years of experience in place development. With our unique method and development process, we help public and private actors with concept and development strategies, involvement and public participation, area optimisation, multifunction and sharing models, city life programming, new housing models, sustainable and circular solutions, step-by-step realisation and active research, brand design and storytelling, as well as area finance and place economy.

We specialise in

→ Development strategy

We facilitate an active development process in which we bring your place to life step by step.


→ Place identity

We develop strong and site-specific place identities anchored in the unique context of your place.


→ City life programming

Based on local market needs and opportunities, we create holistic city life programmes and concepts for spaces, streets, new neighbourhoods and urban areas.


→ Area optimisation

From sharing models to multi use — we define your most important identity area and income area, and program your place for optimal value creation throughout the day, seasons and year.

→ Strategic involvement

We facilitate fruitful collaboration with key stakeholders, including owners, architects, tenants, local market players and the public sector (BYA, PBE).


→ Public participation

We develop places tailored to local values and needs. Through events, communication and interviews, we invite neighbours and local communities to take part.


→ Place branding and communication

With extensive experience in branding and communication, we build places people see, hear about and remember.


→ Place economy

Place is the basis of value creation — both nature value, human value, societal value and economic value. We help you maximise the value of your place, on nature's premises.