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| Cloud Swing is an installation created by Isometric Studios currently on display at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ, that incorporates swings designed for people using wheelchairs alongside two-person swings for people on foot. Credit: Nate Storring |
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Comfort and image, or how a public space is crafted, overseen, and programmed speaks volumes about its inclusivity.
While each person may seek different aspects to feel welcomed in a space, there are common features that contribute to comfort across various identities, abilities, ages, and other factors influencing daily interactions with the public realm. Our new article covers four principles for creating a welcoming space. Read more.
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Our Call for Speakers for the 4th International Placemaking Week in Baltimore, Maryland, US, is now open! If you're a practitioner, policymaker, or any other type of public space advocate, we invite you to submit a proposal now through Thursday, December 7th. Benefits include discounted registration and the opportunity to network with and inspire other professionals in the field. Learn more.
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More Events & Opportunities
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| The 11th International Public Markets Conference took place in Toronto, Canada. |
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Now through January 25 • Project for Public Spaces is seeking a host for the 12th International Public Markets Conference. Submit a letter of interest.
November 28, 11a ET • Attend the free online webinar Reclaiming Your Community, Cities for Everyone with Gil
November 13, 12p ET • Check out the online course Funding for Placemaking, PlacemakingUS
December 7-10 • Attend Placemaking Week Miami, PlacemakingUS
Have an event or opportunity you would like to share? Email us at [email protected].
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A Playground as a Site of Gentle Chaos. The Yard, a playground on Governors Island in New York City, makes space for independent play. That is, adults caretakers sign a waiver and children head into a space free of adults where they can build, play, and even destroy, castoff construction materials to their heart's delight. Urban Omnibus interviews The Yard's Executive Director as well as two "playworkers" who staff the space on all things related to free play. (Urban Omnibus)
The "Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper" Route to Better Streets. Project for Public Spaces has long advocated for "lighter, quicker, cheaper" interventions in public space. A recent op-ed in Next City also champions this approach highlighting its potential as an alternative to more contentious longer term street redesign projects. Instead, experimenting with streets can allow people to see for themselves what's possible in a space. (Next City)
Designing for Wellbeing. A recent review out of the University of Cambridge shows the ways street design can alleviate or worsen respiratory health. For example, Barcelona's famed "superblocks," which prioritize pedestrians over cars show an almost 25% decrease in traffic pollution. Similarly, design that prioritizes green spaces and communal areas can help bolster mental health by providing people with a stronger sense of belonging. (The Guardian)
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As always, here's a roundup of placemaking projects and ideas that inspired us this week:
- Denton, Texas, celebrates Parking Day by turning parking lots into outdoor living rooms (Strong Towns)
- Detroit's Uniroyal Promenade opens the city's riverfront to the public (Urbanize)
- The University of Melbourne led a study demonstrating that diversifying indigenous plants in the city resulted in seven times the number of insect species in just three years (Earth)
- Ideas for regenerating smaller, post-industrial cities like New York's Poughkeepsie (Architect Magazine)
- How a great place can foster affection, joy, and social life (Social Life Project)
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Support the 4th International Placemaking Week
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| 29th Street in Baltimore—site of the 4th International Placemaking Week June 5-8, 2024. Credit: Neighborhood Design Center |
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Good news! We're inviting institutions of all sizes to sponsor the 4th International Placemaking Week in Baltimore, June 5-8, 2024. This is a special opportunity to advance your organization's mission and form lasting connections with leaders in the field of public space. Benefits include free conference registrations, media mentions, and much more. Explore the sponsorship package.
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