Placemaking Europe’s Post

Fostering Innovation Through Youth Engagement: A Glimpse Into Our Future Cities In an enlightening panel last week, urbanOvation unveiled how the voices of the youth are pivotal in shaping the sustainable and inclusive cities of tomorrow. Moderated by leaders from Escape2Make and UrbanPlaceNetwork Ltd., this discussion brought forward the fresh perspectives of six young visionaries, emphasising the importance of listening to and involving the younger generation in urban development. Why is this important? > Sustainability and Inclusivity: Young voices bring innovative solutions to the table, focusing on sustainable development and inclusive community spaces. > Co-designing the Future: Engaging with the youth in city planning leads to more vibrant, dynamic urban environments that cater to future generations. Key questions for our following sessions could be focussed around how can we better integrate young perspectives in urban development projects? And, what thoughts are there on sustainability and technology in building future cities? Jenny Natusch Jeremy Salmon Bill Kistler #FutureCities #YouthEngagement #Sustainability #Inclusivity #UrbanInnovation #CommunityDesign #urbanovation #urbanfuture #realestate #builtenvironment #ESG

Equitable Placemaking in the South: Building Inclusive Communities In the South, where diversity is our strength, equitable placemaking is key to fostering vibrant, inclusive communities. By prioritizing equity, we can address disparities and drive sustainable economic growth. Here are some tips for advancing equitable placemaking: 1. Engage the Community: Involve local residents in the planning process to ensure their voices are heard. 2. Celebrate Diversity: Use art and cultural programming to reflect the South's diverse cultures and traditions. 3. Focus on Accessibility: Ensure developments are accessible to all, with affordable housing options and accessible public spaces. 4. Promote Connectivity: Strengthen connections within and between neighborhoods with pedestrian-friendly design. 5. Invest in Local Talent: Support local artists, craftsmen, and businesses to boost the economy and add unique character. 6. Build Resilient Communities: Incorporate sustainable design principles to ensure long-term viability. What are your thoughts on the role of equitable placemaking in shaping the future of the South? #EquitablePlacemaking #InclusiveGrowth #CommunityEngagement #CulturalDiversity #SustainableDevelopment

How important is #commuting when rethinking #urbandevelopmet? Read all about it in our Blog. 🌳🚲 #sustainability #15minutecity #community #realestate #futureofcities

I am excited to announce the publication of this report on Culture and Creativity in Walthamstow, a project that I had the privilege to kickstart and lead. Started in Winter 2022, this investigation is a culmination of collective efforts to deeply understand and resonate with what both the public and the creative worlds in Walthamstow value and desire. Using a bottom-up approach, the research engaged extensively with the local community, artists, and creative practitioners to ensure that their voices were at the heart of the study. This approach not only highlighted the rich cultural tapestry of Walthamstow but also emphasized the importance of crafting strategies that are genuinely rooted in the place they are meant to serve. Starting from the need to widen the localised concept of Culture and to consider not only the one that is consumed but also the behind the scenes counterpart, which include the hidden spaces where it is produced, we reflected on what we could do to make our borough a place where culture and creativity are accessed by everyone in different forms and a more hospitable place for existing and future creative practices, ensuring that investment strategies do not only bring new developments but also support the places and those producing “everyday cultures.” The research focused on two main audiences: 1) The Public: To understand how they access culture and how to make them more connected to cultural activities and opportunities. 2) The Creatives: To identify their needs and support the existing networks of cultural producers and supporters, considering the underlying conditions of their activities. A mix of innovative engagement tools and techniques has been applied, including a brand-new engagement platform, and the results then led to the development of recommendations, a spatial strategy and action plan for the major town centre that will also inform a wider Cultural Strategy for the entire borough. Key highlights of the research include: 🎨 In-depth insights into local cultural values and creative aspirations. 🏙️ Community-driven recommendations for fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem. 🌱 Strategic frameworks tailored to Walthamstow’s unique cultural landscape. Although I have since moved on from my role, I am incredibly proud of what was achieved through this research. Thanks in particular to my ex-colleagues James Martin and Max Carter, architectural practice DK-CM and all those who contributed. You can read the report(s) at the link below and if you are interested in hearing more, please feel free to reach out! #CultureAndCreativity #Walthamstow #CommunityDriven #Research #CreativeEcosystem #LocalCulture #BottomUpApproach #StrategyFromThePlace https://lnkd.in/eBjJ8WQe

🚀 What Types of Relationships Exist in Ecosystems and Why Do They Matter? 🌱 In social urban environments, unseen connections are the lifeblood that sustains and nurtures our social ecosystems. But what types of relationships exist in these ecosystems, and why are they so crucial? Understanding the type and number of relationships that exsist between entities, activities and stakeholders is essential for fostering vibrant, innovative, and sustainable urban spaces. There are indeed many types of relationships and in our latest video, I explore three key types of relationships most ecosystems have: Structural Relations: How do entities fit within a system? Causal Relations: What are the cause-and-effect dynamics? Emotional Relations: How do bonds driven by trust and shared values foster a sense of belonging and loyalty? Strenghtening and creating new relationships can help us drive greater social well-being, environmental awareness, and responsible economic impact. Click the link in the comment section to watch the full video and access the full list of relationships. #SustainableDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #SystemsThinking #CommunityEngagement #EnvironmentalSustainability #Innovation #SocialImpact #ecosystemdesign #urbanwellbeing

## Artspace's Concerning Practices Revealed It's unfortunate that Artspace, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating affordable spaces for artists, has been acting in ways that contradict its mission and values. This is just one of the many issues and challenges Artspace is facing as the truth comes to light in their ongoing legal battle in Portland, Oregon. In Portland, Artspace quietly sold a property they had purchased for $3.5 million for $10.5 million, yet this transaction is not reported on their taxes, and the property has been removed from their website. The secretive nature of this sale led Artspace to evict long-term resident artists, even discarding their artwork and leaving some homeless, to ensure the deal went through smoothly. As the court case proceeds, one can understand Artspace's need to refocus amidst the challenges it's facing. However, the lack of transparency around the sale of Everett Station Lofts and the failure to properly report the significant profit raise major red flags about their practices. [1][2][8] I encourage everyone to look into Artspace's operations, starting with their actions at 625 NW Everett Street in Portland. You'll quickly uncover concerning issues about how this tax-exempt nonprofit utilizes funds from low-income housing tax credits, donors, and diverted local funds. [5] The sources provided offer more details on this developing situation, revealing a pattern of behavior that seems to go against Artspace's stated mission of supporting artists and their communities. As this case unfolds, it will be crucial to hold the organization accountable and ensure ethical practices are upheld.

Cushman & Wakefield’s "Precincts" report explores the key elements that shape successful, resilient urban spaces. Leveraging insights from the Inclusive Cities Barometer, this report examines how precincts can support sustainable growth while prioritizing social impact, aiming to create spaces that benefit communities and evolve with their needs. By analyzing the visible structures and underlying systems within precincts, the report sheds light on the often-overlooked forces that determine their long-term success. With a focus on economic, social, and environmental benefits, it provides a framework for developing urban areas that enhance the broader city ecosystem and deliver equitable outcomes for all. Click here to download the full report for more insights and expert opinions from Cushman & Wakefield. +English: https://lnkd.in/gqVGZ3Uq +Vietnamese: https://lnkd.in/g38v9N7P #cushwake #vietnam #precincts #apac #inclusion #social

The phrase, “think globally, act locally” has become ubiquitous because that’s the most efficient way for each of us to make an impact. If we all were to put our energy into making a difference with an open heart right where we stand, the change would be immediate and profound. So many people say they want to make a difference but how often are we taking advantage of our opportunities to do it?  I know before my involvement with Abundant Village that I would say the same but I wasn’t doing it. I also know that I could be doing so much more. Going to serve the Xinyeketi Primary School community was basically as far from local as I could get. The image below is from plotting the opposite point on the planet from my home in Charlotte, NC and the orange dot is approximately where the community is located.  I have always thought of us all as one human family and I have definitely been thinking globally through the design process with Abundant Village; but, I got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually act at that scale. I am changed from it and still sorting through all the ways it has influenced who I am and who I want to be. I’m inspired, now more than ever, to see how I can work to create impact and bridge community divides right where I am. What are some under-acknowledged local programs others are seeing that are effectively building up communities and bringing them together? Please share and post in the comments (with a tag if they have one) so we can get a good list going from all over.  #SocialImpact #Architecture #Motivation #GrowthMindset #Design #Community #ActLocal #ThinkGlobal #BeKind

| A Place for Everyone | Cities are where a myriad of dreams intertwine; where we live in a rainbow of differences. Wandering through the city's backroads, life stories are written; tales of striving, love, failure, and triumph. Each of us is a piece of this puzzle. Our differences, like the various colors on a canvas, enhance the city's beauty. A city is a place for experiences; a stable ground for continuous growth and lifelong learning, a place to dream and build a better future. We all have the right to live in this city and benefit from its resources. So we must build a city where everyone feels a sense of belonging. This feeling of identity with our city must also be sustainable. A place where a combination of fairness, justice, and equality prevails. A place where differences bring us closer together instead of driving us apart. The city should be a place for all; all of us. #Ontic #Sustainable_City

🌱🏠 Building for a Sustainable Future! 🌍💼 At Monart City Urban NEXT, we're not just constructing buildings; we're fostering sustainable improvements for our community. Here's how: 🏘️ Equitable Housing Access: Safe, affordable housing is our priority, addressing immediate shelter needs and creating long-term assets for residents. 💼 Economic Opportunities: Through job creation and income generation, we're reducing unemployment and enhancing economic well-being in our community. 💚 Health and Well-being: Our housing design prioritizes physical and mental health, ensuring our residents thrive in their living spaces. 🌿 Sustainability: We use eco-friendly materials and technology to lower the carbon footprint, benefiting both the environment and community health. 🎓 Education and Skill Development: Capacity-building programs empower individuals for job markets and self-reliance, ensuring a brighter future for all. 🤝 Social Cohesion: Community engagement is at the heart of our approach, fostering social connections and a sense of belonging among residents. 🌪️ Climate Resilience: Our housing units are built to withstand disasters, reducing displacement risk and ensuring our community's safety. 💪 Community Empowerment: Active participation instills a sense of ownership, promoting well-being and independence among residents. We're committed to continuous improvement through monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that our work has a lasting, positive impact on our community. Together, we're building a brighter, more sustainable future for all! 🌟 #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityEmpowerment #BuildingForTheFuture