A Letter from Fred Kent:

Placemaking Matters More Than Ever in a Down Economy

In looking back at everything Project for Public Spaces has accomplished since 1975, as I did recently at a sidewalk café near my home in Brooklyn, it has never been more clear that when you focus on the idea of "place," everything changes. Paying serious attention to places represents a breakthrough for our society, which can spark genuine progress in how we govern ourselves, how we are involved in our communities, how streets and public spaces feel to us, how we shop, work, play and socialize with our friends.

By Fred Kent

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Also in this Issue:

How Your Community Can Thrive-- Even in Tough Times

New economic trends make a sense-of-place more important than ever.

By Philip Myrick

Placemaking Pays Off

New projects in Detroit and Houston show great places bring great economic returns

By Philip Myrick

Think Global, Buy Local

Using public markets to rebuild local economies

By Steve Davies

A Smart Investment for Our Future

A wave of new transit projects bring major economic, social and environmental benefits

By Craig Raphael and Renee Espiau

Placemaking in Chicago

PPS partners on new book and exciting community workshops

By Robin Lester

Redesigning Communities with Older People in Mind

PPS partners with AARP to engage senior citizens in improving street design and community planning

By Robin Lester

Leveraging Community Assets with Placemaking

Communities discover economic assets right under their noses

By Philip Myrick and Elena Madison