When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, it revealed a powerful truth: the places we gather are just as critical to disaster recovery as emergency responders. Ryan Smolar, Director of PlacemakingUS and Consultant to Thrive Asheville, explores how placemaking and designing cities for connection and care, aren't just nice to have, but essential infrastructure for resilience.

Written by our co-founders Steve Davies, Fred Kent, and Kathy Madden, this article is all about how their work evolved into broadly applicable principles, culminating in the 11 Principles for Creating Great Community Places. As we mark our 50th anniversary, we're reflecting on these enduring values that continue to shape public spaces today!