"How to Turn a Place Around" Training Course | Project for Public Spaces (PPS)

October 15-16, 2009

"Placemaking" is an overarching idea and a hands-on tool for improving a neighborhood, city, or region. It has the potential to be one of the most transformative ideas of this century.
-Metropolitan Planning Council, Chicago, IL

A two-day PPS training course, How to Turn a Place Around introduces new ways of thinking about public spaces and how Placemaking can be used to bring communities together and revitalize underperforming spaces.

We are currently experiencing one the most significant changes in our lifetimes. As our carefree, decades-long splurge becomes a distant memory, people everywhere are looking for ways to move forward in a time of increasing uncertainty.

PPS President Fred Kent (center) leads a tour of Midtown Manhattan's famed small urban spaces

At the same time, we at PPS see an enormous opportunity to reset the way things are done, to replace the old paradigm with one that is not so much about the individual as it is about the community, places, who we are, and what we are about. Looking back over the past few decades, development has been largely focused on shopping destinations like malls, strip centers and lifestyle centers. As a result, we failed to create the major public destinations that define cities and communities.

As we regroup around this new agenda, we have evolved the theme of our biannual "How to Turn a Place Around" training to Placemaking and the Power of 10. We have added many topics to the upcoming course that expand the agenda to encompass entire communities, cities and regions.

Topics will include:

The idea of Placemaking and the Power of 10
Creating New Types of Public Destinations - Qualities of these types of destinations, best and worst case studies, tools and techniques
Community Process - How to effectively engage the community in the planning process
Implementing Public Destinations - Case studies, including Campus Martius in Detroit and Discovery Green in Houston
Developing Campaigns - Working with leadership, grassroots and public agencies to affect change in communities
How Placemaking can be applied to cross-cutting issues such as sustainability, health, diversity, and livability
Building community through:

Local Economies and Markets - creating new and innovative models for public markets that are economically sustainable and attract a broad diversity of people
Community Anchors - how to develop libraries, museums, schools, civic and cultural centers as community gathering places
Transportation - Streets as Places and Thinking Beyond the Station, how streets can contribute to better communities

Drawing upon our work in cities across the globe and our research on such issues, this training course will provide tools and case study examples of successful solutions that unlock the economic potential of our public spaces in these difficult times. We will also facilitate discussion sessions that focus on the particular issues of participants.

Participants discuss their evaluations of Union Square Park

Who Should Attend:

The workshop is designed for professionals and non-professionals alike who help plan towns and cities—from landscape architects and real estate developers to park managers and community activists. enrollment is limited to 35 participants in order to promote a close-knit environment that fosters a deep understanding of what makes public spaces function and of PPS’s innovative methods for analyzing them.

Project for Public Spaces (PPS): Training Course Host

Project for Public Spaces, Inc. is a non-profit technical assistance, research, and educational organization. We complement our project work, training, and services with public space advocacy that sets the stage for broad change. Our goal is to enhance Placemaking efforts everywhere by promoting good policy and professional practice.

Your instructors for this course are:

Fred Kent, PPS President and Founder who has led workshops across the globe on Placemaking and the revitalization of city spaces;
Kathy Madden, PPS Senior Vice President and environmental designer who has directed research, design and training projects worldwide;
and PPS senior staff, who will give specialized presentations throughout the workshop.

Training Course Location

The training will take place in New York City, at the Alexander Hamilton U.S Customs House (home of the Museum of the American Indian) located at 1 Bowling Green next to Battery Park City.

Training Course Cost

The registration fee covers breakfast and lunch on both days and a cocktail reception, along with educational materials. Enrollment in training courses also includes a PPS membership! You can view all the benefits of being a PPS member here.

Early Registration (before September 30): $550 for non-profits, individuals and government agencies, $650 for private companies

Late Registration (after September 30): $600 for non-profits, individuals and government agencies, $700 for private companies

Groups of 3 or more are eligible for a discount rate. Prices per person: $450 for non-profits, individuals and government agencies, $550 for private companies.

We do offer a limited number of discounted registrations for non-profit organizations and individuals. These scholarships are based on merit. Please contact Dana Kitzes at dkitzes@pps.org for more information.