The demand for transformative change in our cities has never been greater, and it continues to grow in regions throughout the world. There is a new realization that in the future, cities will need to be very different than they have been in the past.
If we make public “places” – squares, markets, waterfronts, streets, etc.— the major focus of urban development, the trends of the last half century, which have proven unsustainable by every measure, can be reversed. Based on our collaboration with people worldwide who are actively engaged in improving their communities, PPS believes the time is now to develop a Placemaking agenda that will foster a new way of thinking about cities.
“Placemaking” is a powerful set of tools for change that is beginning to take hold in cities throughout the world. Not a new profession, discipline or field of study, Placemaking is a growing global movement that is bringing out the best of professional knowledge and skills, while supporting a participatory process that challenges and empowers local communities to take ownership over the planning process.
Placemaking makes communities great places to live and reverses the trends that weaken our social and physical health and lead to unsustainable ways of living. PPS believes that by reorienting our planning and design process to focus on people and places, we can accomplish the goals of modern cities and make the process of getting there a lot more fun and creative.
The following are four Transformative Agendas that we feel have the greatest potential to change our communities:
