Book excerpt: The first instalment of The Place Economy reveals the real world social and economic benefits of effective placemaking, exploring the benefits for developers and investors as well as broader societal outcomes. In this book, you will discover in-depth case studies and expert voices from Australia and 10 other countries, including Korea, Singapore, the United States, England, Denmark, Holland, New Zealand, China and Belgium. Together, across 408 pages, our contributors – from fields such as planning, architecture, materials, green space, amenities and cultural connections – present a picture of the prosperity we can all enjoy, as industries, as businesses and, most importantly, as people, if we get to work now.