Do you have a vision for your community space? Is there a problem facing your neighbourhood that you want to solve? If you’re thinking of an idea, you might be a placemaking leader. Strong leaders can unite diverse stakeholders, encourage collaboration, and champion sustainable solutions for shared public spaces like a park or a main street. Dive into the resources below to learn how to take leadership on placemaking projects that can make your community healthier, happier, and more connected.
Community engagement is an essential part of any successful placemaking project. It builds trust, ensures that diverse voices are heard, and leads to more responsive and inclusive decision-making. Engaged communities are more resilient, as people take ownership of local challenges and work together to create solutions for their unique needs. Discover best practices for engaging community members to build cohesive places.
Every place has a story. A well-loved community space has layers of them, and means something a little bit different to each narrator. An important part of placemaking is to consider all the histories, uses, and future aspirations for a space to understand its identity. Storytelling is also an important tool to convey the impact of a placemaking project and demonstrate its value to the communities it serves. Discover how to effectively share the stories behind your work, let them shape the project, and get inspired by our collection of community blog posts!
Securing funding and writing grant reports might be the least exciting part of the placemaking process, but it’s an important skill to realize successful projects. Evaluating projects and measuring their impact can build credibility, attract support, and ensure that placemaking efforts are not only well-resourced but also achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes that benefit the community. Learn about best practices below; from writing a successful funding application and building strong funder relationships, to creatively measuring the impact of your placemaking efforts.
In an increasingly digital world, the way we experience places incorporates technology like never before. For example, how many times have you searched for a space online before going there? Learn how to use digital placemaking as a tool to enhance the way people find, interact, and shape public spaces. From bringing community members into the design process using technology to building digital resilience and connection, digital means can enhance the human and place-centered aspects of placemaking projects.
Creating a great place that welcomes all kinds of people requires an equity-centered approach. This means actively including populations that were historically marginalized in the urban planning process. By involving local residents, equitable placemaking ensures that public spaces foster a sense of belonging and connection for all. Discover valuable resources on designing environments that reflect the needs and voices of diverse communities, prioritizing accessibility, safety, and cultural relevance.
When the Grey Highlands Public Library noticed people sitting on the steps outside to access public wifi, they used HCI funding to install a gazebo and create a welcoming space to sit. This is what makes great placemaking– a creative response to the specific needs of a community. Learn how to rethink space and harness innovative ideas to meet challenges facing your community, whether its environmental changes, social isolation, or vacant businesses.
