Place-based education: a case study of the development of an action plan at the urban level

This case study presents a Place-Based Education (PBE) action plan developed by educational stakeholders in an Israeli city as part of its broader vision. It draws on Granit-Dgani’s framework to advance discourse on PBE’s characteristics and implementation in an urban context. We answer two questions: (1) How do key stakeholders view successful implementation of PBE? and (2) What characteristics and considerations do they identify as essential for successful implementation of PBE initiatives in urban settings? 120 participants, including principals, vice principals, and teachers representing all 22 schools in the city, participated in group discussions as co-researchers to define successful PBE characteristics and suggest implementation strategies. Thematic analysis identified essential, important, and desirable characteristics. Findings suggest that stakeholders viewed emotional, physical, and organisational aspects as essential for successful PBE implementation. Based on the findings, we suggest expanding the theoretical model to include learners as agents of change.