Placemaking

by | Apr 16, 2026 | Downloads

Changing Places
A Placemakers’ Field-Guide
by Mike Freedman

It takes 20 years to change a city…
The built environment is a story of the past – in a present changing at bewildering pace. Cities, towns and precincts need to anticipate tomorrow’s
needs and challenges. Then figure out how to meet them.

The figuring it all out takes months, maybe a few years. The change takes place over decades.

Freedthinkers has participated in place-making for more than 20 years. We facilitate, shape and distill new thinking, help build resilience, and initiate action. What follows are lessons learnt along the way.

“Placemaking is the deliberate shaping of an environment to facilitate social
interaction and improve a community’s quality of life.” MIT Urban Studies

25 years of place-making distilled; download a free copy of Mike Freedman’s e-book, Changing Places HERE.

Cara Reilly
From Spaces to Places

The best public spaces are ones that foster a happy environment for people to sit, mingle, date and relax.Find the presentation in Google Docs HERE

Cara Reilly Bio
cara.relly76@gmail.com

8 to 80 Cities

8 80 Cities exists to create safe and happy cities that prioritize people’s well-being. They believe that if everything we do in our public spaces is great for an 8 year old and an 80 year old, then it will be great for all people.
www.8-80cities.org/

Open Streets

Open Streets Cape Town January 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtsNJ1AuPMU&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6mtxpN9kA4
Toolkit: http://openstreets.org.za

Project for Public Spaces

Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is the central hub of the global Placemaking movement, connecting people to ideas, expertise, and partners who share a passion for creating vital places.
www.pps.org/

Streetfilms as Your Resource on Public Space

Many of the Streetfilm success stories involve a myriad of city agencies, small non-profits and the community, but sometimes involve big business, developers and citywide advocacy groups as well.

What happens at the intersection of these players can be benign or contentious and what public uses are permitted or negotiated is crucial to whether or not a space feels free, open and safe.

The best public spaces are ones that foster a happy environment for people to sit, mingle, date and relax.
www.streetfilms.org

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