Place-shaping

a wider, strategic role for local government, using powers and influence to promote the general
well-being of a community and its citizens.

It includes the following components:

• building and shaping local identity
• representing the community
• regulating harmful and disruptive behaviours
• maintaining the cohesiveness of the community and supporting debate within it,
  ensuring smaller voices are heard
• helping to resolve disagreements
• working to make the local economy more successful while being sensitive to
  pressures on the environment
• understanding local needs and preferences and making sure that the right services
  are provided to local people
• working with other bodies to response to complex challenges such as natural
  disasters and other emergencies.

source: Lyon's Inquiry into Local Government (2007)