Impacts and benefits
People care about places in their communities. From its international experience, PPS has learned the institutionalization of "Placemaking" yields benefits far beyond making better spaces for people.
Shared places work toward creating a community narrative. When public spaces become a part of daily life, they are forever linked with personal and collective milestones—meeting new friends, children’s first steps, celebrating local culture and entrepreneurship, for example. Placemaking creates emotional links to places, and sharing these links helps strengthen community.
The following are just a handful of positive results achieved through Placemaking.
Bridge building places draw a diverse population that can include women, elderly and children, as well as an ethnic and cultural mix, and encourage people to get involved and take pride in the area. Public spaces indeed are a "common ground."
Economic and community development Public space improvements can easily be targeted to catalyze private investment and small-scale entrepreneurial activities, such as public markets.
Community identity Places nurture and define community identity through greater community organization, a better sense of dedication and volunteerism, perpetuation of integrity and values, and a common vision.
Democracy building Public spaces are a common goal that diverse groups can work on collaboratively in a democratic process.
Youth engagement Youth are often an overlooked audience, which misses the opportunity not only to build leadership but also reduce apathy or cynicism among their age group.
The Guide to Neighborhood Placemaking in Chicago is generously supported by
