What is Placemaking?

Placemaking is the process of creating vibrant, inclusive public spaces that reflect the unique character and needs of the community. It’s about bringing people together to transform underutilized areas into welcoming, engaging environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Whether it’s a lively park, a bustling market, or a peaceful garden, placemaking empowers communities to shape their own spaces and create places that matter.

 

Canada’s Placemaking Community

A project of the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative and The Canadian Urban Insitute, Canada’s Placemaking Community is a hub for placemakers spearheading placemaking efforts nationwide. This online community is designed to cultivate togetherness, joy, and connection, while expanding our shared vision for what placemaking can achieve.

By fostering collective action, we aim to drive better public outcomes and create vibrant, equitable public spaces for all.

Ready to transform your public spaces?

Dive into the Placemaking Toolbox! Our Placemaking Toolbox is packed with dynamic resources to help you bring your vision to life! Discover articles, videos, and expert guides on everything from sparking community engagement and finding funding, to storytelling, evaluating impact, and building leadership capacity. Get inspired, get creative, and start making places that matter!

Toolkit for Placemakers

Explore placemaking resources created by a diversity of practitioners to expand your imagination about what is possible.

Power of Placemaking

Discover the transformative impact of community-led placemaking and use stories from across Canada to make the case for your project.

Future of Placemaking

A new resources from the CUI–coming soon!

Your Stories

Get inspired! Read these stories from the field and share yours! Discover how people like you are building vibrant local communities and creating a sense of belonging across Canada