Project for Public Spaces

A woman stands beside a swing set in an outdoor playground, watching a young girl swing forward with a smile. The playground is surrounded by grass and apartment buildings in the background. Overlaid text reads, “Open SPACES are the prescription for a healthier childhood."

Safe, inclusive public spaces are essential for children’s health, learning and social connection.

Yet access is shrinking: only 44% of urban residents live near open public space.

Cities can change this.

Read the new guide on creating public spaces for children 👉 bit.ly/4jZyksQ

We’re thrilled to welcome Max Crema & Mitchell Silver to our Board—bringing deep expertise in public interest law, urban planning, parks, and placemaking. We’re also excited to share that Reena Agarwal is stepping into the role of Chair. See our board members: www.pps.org/our-team#board

“Public Space may be the prerequisite for democracy, but its presence alone is not enough. Only the People can ensure the publicness of our public spaces and the vitality of our #democracy.” Fred Kent
www.pps.org/article/open...
@ppsplacemaking.bsky.social @placemakingx.bsky.social

If your organization or city agency has been considering becoming the co-host of the 13th International Public Markets Conference in 2027, now is the time to take action! Be sure to submit a concise Letter of Interest by this Thursday, January 22. 🔗https://publicmarkets.pps.org/
#PublicMarkets

How Readers Voted on 17 Ways to Improve New York City

Did you vote? @nytimes.com architecture critic Michael Kimmelman presented a playful crowdsourced wish list for readers to weigh in, and the results are in! 🔗 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/a...

Register early for our mini-course, "An Introduction to Inclusive & Equitable Community Engagement," taking place 3/17 & 19. Learn foundational theory, tools, and case studies to build an inclusive and equitable outreach & engagement strategy. 🔗Register www.pps.org/events/an-in...

How to Create Successful Markets (On Demand) | Events — Project for Public Spaces Our foundational online training for market managers, staff, board members, and supporters is back—now in a convenient on-demand format that you can complete at your own pace! Registration opens in Ma...

Our signature "How to Create Successful Markets” online training will soon be available in a convenient ON-DEMAND format that you can complete on your own schedule, at your own pace! Registration opens in March & course access available starting in May. 🔗 www.pps.org/events/how-t...

2025, what a ride! Thank you for being here for every moment. 🥂 If you’e able, it's not too late to make a donation before the year ends to help us keep this work going. Here’s to all we shared—and what’s next!🔗 www.pps.org/donate

The Power of Placemaking - JSTOR Daily Why the social, political, and emotional dimensions of public spaces matter, and how people themselves play a central role in creating them.

Drawing on real-world examples, @natestorring.bsky.social sits down with Sara Ivry for @jstordaily.bsky.social to discuss how fostering belonging and strengthening communities are more important than ever. 🔗 daily.jstor.org/the-power-of...

Determined to meet the growing needs of our placemaking community, we're more committed than ever to supporting the people who ensure that public spaces thrive—Please consider making an end-of-year gift to support our work before December 31! 🔗 www.pps.org/donate

Info Session: 13th International Public Markets Conference (Call for Cities) | Events — Project for Public Spaces We’re looking for the next city to co-host the 13th International Public Markets Conference in 2027! Join us for an Info Session to learn more about the Call for Cities process and how to submit a Let...

🎥 Missed the info session? You can now watch the webinar recording! 🔗 www.pps.org/events/info-...

📘 And here's the link for 10% off "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces," the classic book that details the groundbreaking study by William H. Whyte! 🔗 shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...

🎁📚 The perfect books for #publicspace #placemaking lovers, "How to Turn a Place Around" & "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" now 10% off for the holidays! 🔗 shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...

Become the next city to co-host the 13th International Public Markets Conference in 2027! Learn more about our Call for Cities process at our info session on Tuesday, December 16. 🔗Register: www.pps.org/events/info-...

❄️ Join us THIS Thu, 12/11, 12pm ET, to learn how holiday markets breathe life into public spaces in the winter, extending the selling season & bringing the community together. 🔗https://www.pps.org/events/made-by-all-warming-up-with-holiday-markets 📷 The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market in Philly

❄️☃️ It’s getting cold—warm up with holiday markets! Join us next Thursday, December 11, 12-1pm ET, for a webinar on how to create holiday markets to keep urban life fun and prosperous during the colder months! 🔗 www.pps.org/events/made-...

We're committed more than ever to supporting the people who make community life possible—and you can help this #GivingTuesday. 💚🔗 Donate today so we can continue offering scholarships & accessible-rate registrations for valuable conferences, trainings, & webinars: www.pps.org/donate

YouTube video by PPS_Placemaking ⛲🌳 Community Placemaking Project: Hospitality Kiosk at Public Square in Cleveland, OH

@downtowncle.bsky.social's Public Square just got more inviting! With @ppsplacemaking.bsky.social's Community Placemaking Grant by GM, @downtowncle.bsky.social has unveiled a welcoming hospitality kiosk, a true invitation to stay & connect in the heart of downtown. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXCo...

❄️ In our next live webinar, “𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀,” on Thu, Dec 11, 12pm ET, learn from experts how to activate public spaces during colder months and bring neighbors together. 🔗Learn more & register: www.pps.org/events/made-...

🎥 Watch a free recording of our "Navigating SNAP Cuts" webinar: www.pps.org/events/made-...

🎥 Watch a free recording of our "Navigating SNAP Cuts" webinar: www.pps.org/events/made-...

⏳Time is running out! Our Call for Proposals for the 5th International #PlacemakingWeek ends tomorrow, Thursday, 11/20, 11:59pm ET! ✍🏽 www.placemakingweek.org

#PlacemakingWeek #Detroit #Placemaking #DowntownDet #DowntownDetroit #WeMakeItHappenTogether

🎁 📚 The perfect books for #publicspace #placemaking lovers—now 10% off for the holidays!

📘 "How to Turn a Place Around" shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...

📘 "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params...

Why the New York Bodega Is Here to Stay

Read more about bodegas in this fun piece in the @nytimes.com, “Why the New York Bodega Is Here to Stay," to learn how they continually adapt and preserve the human warmth that anchors their neighborhoods. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/17/n...
#SocialInfrastructure #SocialLife #ThirdPlaces #Loneliness

⏳We are FOUR DAYS away from our deadline! Submit your proposal to present at the 5th International #PlacemakingWeek in 📍Detroit, MI, USA, by Thurs, 11/20, 11:59pm ET! ✍🏽 www.placemakingweek.org

#PlacemakingWeek #Detroit #Placemaking #PublicSpaces #DowntownDet #DowntownDetroit #WeMakeItHappenTogether

⏳Deadline is just a 1 WEEK away! Submit your proposal to present at the 5th International #PlacemakingWeek in📍Detroit, MI! ✍🏽 Submit yours today! www.placemakingweek.org

#PlacemakingWeek #Detroit #Placemaking #DowntownDet #DowntownDetroit #WeMakeItHappenTogether

⏳ Attention public markets! Let's get through these uncertain times together—join us for our live webinar, "Navigating SNAP Cuts" on 11/18. Register today 🔗 www.pps.org/events/made-...

Winter Cities Show Cold Weather Can Be Cool No need to retreat indoors--great public spaces draw people 12 months a year.

Draw winter city inspiration from “Winter Cities Show Cold Weather Can Be Cool,” written by the late Jay Walljasper, who was a PPS colleague. By focusing on local identity, diverse activities, & creative lighting, winter markets elevate public spaces. 🔗 www.pps.org/article/wint...

❄️ Cold weather often draws life out of public spaces, but holiday markets have become a central strategy for keeping urban life vibrant. We'll uncover the magic in our live webinar, "Warming Up with Holiday Markets" on Thu, 12/11, 12-1pm ET. Register: 🔗 pps.org/events/made-...

⏳Do you have experience, stories, tools, and lessons on how placemaking can help address local and global challenges? We want to hear from you! Proposals to present at the 5th International #PlacemakingWeek are due on Thursday, November 20! ✍🏽 Submit your proposal: placemakingweek.org