What’s the state of placemaking in Canada? How robust is advocacy around public space? What’s working in your local community? What’s not? How do you think things could be improved?

These are a few of the questions we’re hoping you might be able to help us answer. The VPSN is working with a number of partner organizations to gauge the “the state of the nation” in terms of the barriers and opportunities that exist for placemaking and public space advocacy in Canada. We want to identify ways to strengthen local, community-based placemaking, while also exploring ways to enable and enrich collaboration across Canada. Survey results will be shared back in mid-September and used to advance placemaking and public space advocacy more broadly.

We are hoping you could take a few moments to share your thoughts and experiences dealing with placemaking projects and public space advocacy. We’ve prepared a short questionnaire that should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. It will give you a chance to identify key barriers, opportunities and priorities for placemaking in your town or city, and cross-country.

COMPLETE THE PLACEMAKING IN CANADA QUESTIONNAIRE

You may be interested in a preparatory paper that was prepared on Placemaking in Canada in 2015. It’s based on interviews with several key practitioners across Canada. You can find it here.

Creative Commons flag image by Wikipedia PMX

The Vancouver Public Space Network is involved in several activities taking place during this time and we are looking for some help to make magic and ensure these events are a wild success. Can you lend a hand?

Here’s what we need help with with:

Thursday, September 15 – “Time and Place” 10 Year Anniversary Party

The VPSN turns 10 this year, and to mark the occasion we are throwing a party. (Fun!) More specifically, we are looking to transform a prominent downtown public space – the Pendulum Gallery – into an awesome celebration place.

To realize the theme of “time and place,” we’ll be transforming the Gallery with a series of installations and animation “stations” – with games, music, food and drink (including a cash bar), and lots of other activities. The event formally starts at 7:00pm, but we’ll be onsite as of 5:00pm.

What we need help with: Lots! from sourcing materials and building the various stations (between now and the 15th), to a lot of day-of help with set-up, tear-down, and management of the stations. It’ll be a wicked party, and you’d be part of the host team.

Saturday, September 17 – “Made in Canada” Workshop

The VPSN is also collaborating with Project for Public Spaces, SFU, Evergreen, and other partners, to host an all-day workshop on the state of placemaking in Canada. This will be a facilitated session that aims to look at the issues and opportunities related to public space advocacy and placemaking, and to advance the idea of a national strategy or agenda. Exciting and timely stuff! Also a great opportunity to meet placemaking super stars from across the country.

What we need help with: Day-of help with the event – including logistics, registration, documentation, and more.

Can you lend a hand?

We need a hand with these and other activities taking place over the course of Placemaking Week. If you are interested in helping with any (or all) of these events, please get in touch with us at your earliest convenience. (And thank you in advance for your interest – we’re grateful!)

Email Michelle Pollard at: volunteer@vancouverpublicspace.ca and let us know how you can help, or the events that you’re interested in. We’ll be in touch shortly thereafter with follow-up details.

These are a few of the questions we’re hoping you might be able to help us answer. The VPSN is working with a number of partner organizations to gauge the “the state of the nation” in terms of the barriers and opportunities that exist for placemaking and public space advocacy in Canada. We want to identify ways to strengthen local, community-based placemaking, while also exploring ways to enable and enrich collaboration across Canada. Some of this will inform the Made in Canada event we’re working on, but it will also be used to advance placemaking and public space advocacy more broadly.

We are hoping you could take a few moments to share your thoughts and experiences dealing with placemaking projects and public space advocacy. We’ve prepared a short questionnaire that should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. It will give you a chance to identify key barriers, opportunities and priorities for placemaking in your town or city, and cross-country.

COMPLETE THE PLACEMAKING IN CANADA QUESTIONNAIRE

You may be interested in a preparatory paper that was prepared on Placemaking in Canada in 2015. It’s based on interviews with several key practitioners across Canada. You can find it here.

Creative Commons flag image by Wikipedia PMX.

As many of you will know, this fall Vancouver is hosting hundreds of practitioners, policy makers, and activists from around the world for Placemaking Week (PW) September 12-17. Several Canadians are already planning to attend some portion of, or all of the week. If this is the first you’re hearing about it, please check out thewebsite for more information on the scope of the program.

As part of the week’s activities, we’re pleased to announce a special meeting for Canadian placemakers, on Saturday, September 17th from 10 am – 5 pm.You’re invited!

The Vancouver Public Space Network is one of a number of partners organizing the day, in collaboration with other organizations across the country, and our good friends at Project for Public Spaces.

For more information on this event, see our Made in Canada webpage.