Placemaking Week

Many communities today struggle with building public places that are welcoming and open to all. Often spaces are dominated by underserved groups such as individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental illness, and public space managers seek ways to dilute their presence, while municipalities spend millions on ineffective outreach and services for vulnerable populations. What if we can transform public space into the nexus where people in need and the programs that are meant to serve them come together? This panel offers an unusual mix of discipline diversity, including an urban planner working in public space and a psychiatric social worker working with vulnerable populations. We also provide a range of perspectives from academic to professional practice. Our panel content directly addresses issues of inclusion and representation in public spaces, and will offer experiences from a variety of places.