An introduction to placemaking, focusing on downtown Phoenix

1. capturing the soul of a neighborhood.
creating local identity.
designing spaces through peoples’ eyes
creating an environment that people gravitate to.
embracing people, buildings, events, nature.
storytelling
creating spaces that serve the public.
placemaking
creating a sense of place and a place of sense
taking back the public realm
bringing people together
creating character and meaning

2. what is placemaking?
making a public space a living place
through:
• the design of places,
• the experiences they make possible, and
• the consequences they have in our lives.

3. “ We are good at
putting up
buildings but we
are bad at making
places.
Bernard Hunt
architect practicing in London

4. from space
to place

5. “ The more mobile we become as a
society, the more we crave a sense of
rootedness, community and belonging.
Nan Ellin
Associate Professor and Planning Program Director, ASU

6. placemaking is...
people!

7. 6 elements 1. mixed uses
2. successful streets
of successful 3. open space
placemaking 4. urban scale
5. movement framework
6. sense of place

8. 1. mixed uses
• -clusteredfood, retail, art,
including
activities
health, recreation
• providing well
integrated facilities
• establishment to serve
village center
of a
community
• provides mutual
support

9. 2. Successful Streets
• -shared spaces strollers, cars... modes
walking, cycling,
for multiple
• pedestrian only spaces
• responsive to adjacent land uses

10. 3. Open Space
• safe, well overlooked open space and play areas
• green is good
• respect the established landscape setting

11. 4. Urban Scale
• compact design
• human scale
• legible layout
• public ground level uses

12. 5. Movement Framework
• permeability
- choice of routes
• -pedestrian networks
social, commercial,
aesthetic experiences
• public transport
linkages

13. 6. Sense of Place
• showcase local assets
• public art
• be authentic
• iconic structures

14. anchors of place in dtPHX
• Roosevelt Row and Grand Ave
- galleries and live music
• Fair Trade Cafe
- and other local businesses
• Civic Space Park
• Downtown Public Market
• ASU
• Light Rail

15. where to start?
• Attend events
• Volunteer
• Assignments
• Get out!

16. next steps
• go and take a close look at your neighborhood
• come back with stories.
• share

17. resources
• friends and classmates!
• Downtown Voices Coalition
• Downtown Phoenix Journal
• CenPho.tv
• Roosevelt Row
• Local First Arizona
• Phoenix Friday Night,
- esp DTFN and LRFN

18. ponder...
• Where do you spend your time?
• Is there open space where you can just hang out?
• Is there some history to talk about?
• What are the places you care about?
• What would you change?

19. capturing the soul of a neighborhood.
creating local identity.
designing spaces through peoples’ eyes
creating an environment that people gravitate to.
embracing people, buildings, events, nature.
storytelling
creating spaces that serve the public.
end
taking back the public realm
bringing people together
creating character and meaning