Placemaking is a collaborative, people-centered approach to urban planning and development that seeks to create vibrant, meaningful public spaces where communities can thrive. Rather than focusing solely on physical infrastructure, placemaking emphasizes the importance of designing places that foster health, happiness, and a sense of belonging. This panel will explore how alternative delivery methods can be harnessed to realize placemaking goals, bringing together diverse stakeholders to shape spaces that are dynamic, holistic, and responsive to community needs.
Panelists will discuss the core characteristics of placemaking—including its community-driven process, holistic consideration of social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors, and its adaptability over time. Through real-world examples—such as transforming underutilized plazas into lively gathering places, creating walkable mixed-use neighborhoods, and redeveloping vacant lots into parks or pop-up markets, the session will illustrate how innovative delivery models and cross-sector collaboration can unlock new opportunities for inclusive, sustainable urban spaces.
Attendees will gain insights into best practices for engaging local communities, structuring effective partnerships, and ensuring that placemaking projects deliver lasting value. The panel will highlight the potential of alternative delivery to not only fund and build public spaces, but also to cultivate stewardship, creativity, and a shared sense of place.