Megan Miller’s Post

Great example of the why social dynamics matter so much to the success of a place -- constructive collaboration, formal or informal, is the prerequisite to everything else. Can this level of cooperation be seen in your neighborhood or town? What would get you there? Any examples to share? Jasper is a place where everyone works together. It is a city being built by many hands. This is easily seen through groups such as the Redevelop Old Jasper Action Coalition, which has taken the lead on preserving many historic buildings (now merging with The Heart of Jasper), it can be seen through the city’s utmost care to be transparent and include citizens in decision making, and it’s seen through the Mayor's Youth Council, a group of teenagers who work closely with the city to develop and act on local projects.  “The strength that we have here is that we all work well together,” Eckerle explained. “We take ideas, and then move forward with them and we get things done.” #relationships #collaboration #revitalization #urbanplanning #socialcapital #placemaking Placemaking Education Town Team Movement PlacemakingX Stanford Social Innovation Review Strong Towns

The JOY Principles framework has three categories and today we shift to the second: ingredients, which are exactly what you’d expect—the tools that cities can use to keep their projects focused on a societal outcome.   The first is purpose-built engagement, which is the foundation upon which everything else rests. Right now, our social muscles are out of shape. We need public space to work harder if we’re going to be coaxed out of our homes, backyards, and comfort zones. How to ensure active engagement? Here are two things to consider when designing your project: 1) Start with a clear delineation of space: some form of strong visual cue that indicates there is permission for playfulness in a certain area. 2) Create an activity that allows everyone to engage in the same experience physically, mentally, or socially… and share their JOY. These types of co-creation activities also facilitate community identity building. A city’s identity can be that sticky emotional fabric that bonds people in action and vision.   Joyful spaces don't always have to cost big money, but they do have to have a big impact that comes from purpose-built public engagement.   #citybuilding #cityliving #urbandesign #urbanplanning #placemaking #socialconnection #joyfulcities #joyexperiments

What do you think of when you hear “public space”? You might think of a community centre, or a park, or a library. These are all different places, but they have one thing in common: They’re places where we gather — places where we go to find social and cultural connection.     In fact, as partner Kevin Bridgman and principal Olga Pushkar tell us, a good public space is one that “reflects who the people in the community are.” It’s a space where people feel welcome. So, how can we design public spaces to function as community hubs?    Find out here: https://lnkd.in/gEDpaezr

Empathy isn't a word we hear in citymaking, but it should be. Sharing an article I wrote last year for Backstage Talks Magazine on The Place Bureau's new substack. When I wrote it, I hadn't imagined the kind of riots, violence and extreme uprisings we've seen in the UK over the last week. But imagine if we could design streets that encouraged empathy everyday? Could small acts of kindness built into our streetscape make a difference to how people relate to each other? Could we build trust rather than fear if city folk had the opportunity to express their many identities and celebrate their differences in the streets they love. There's no easy solution because at the root lie deep running issues. But could more empathic streets be be a small step towards safer streets? I think it's a start... https://lnkd.in/ea9Y7aFa #empathy #citymaking #placemaking #publicspace #collaborativedesign

"You are getting things done" - this is what we most often have heard with RaivioBumann and Parkly - Transforming Urban Spaces projects because we are working in the field of placemaking: light, quick and lower-cost, but visible and tangible improvements which are reflecting the bigger changes people wish to see in cities. There are several reasons "small projects" are slow and difficult in big organisations like bigger cities and municipalities: planning culture, budgets, roles and so on. These obstacles call for creative bureaucracy, forming a shared vision and systems thinking/design - and they can be resolved. More and more cities are adopting a more flexible and iterative approach to urban design and see the benefits tactical urbanism in setting the direction for future cities starting now - and that's good news for "getting things done".

Hi everyone, I’ve revived my Substack newsletter. What triggered it? Looking at what is going on right now, I feel we have reached a point where we’ve forgotten how to live together. But it's not too late to act. Many activists and urban planning specialists are fighting against the car-dependent urban design of the last decades. To change things, people must be able to imagine how transforming their neighbourhoods and investing in communal projects and activities could improve their lives. How can we share things, experiences, and spaces? In the same way that I inspired people to nicely decorate their homes and host cool parties with 'At Home with Kim Vallée,' I want to inspire people to advocate for engaging public spaces and more cool local activities. Have a look at: https://lnkd.in/eCz62Dgs If you like it, don't forget to subscribe and tell your friends. It would mean the world to me. #CommunityBuilding #UrbanPlanning #CommunalSpaces #InclusiveDesign #SustainableCities

Following Lindsey Ricciardelli lead and playing “Would you Rather?” 🤔 She focused on homebuilder marketing and sales. My question is about community design. Would you rather… 🔹 Build a community that emphasizes social connectivity, with communal spaces, co-working areas, and regular community events? OR 🔹 Focus on developing private, serene living environments where residents can enjoy solitude and quiet within a bustling urban area? You can only pick one. #communitydevelopment #mpc #homebuilding

Downtown Coldwater is taking big steps to revitalize its historic downtown and create a place for families and residents of all ages. The Downtown Coldwater Main Street program is working to support a dynamic environment that consistently demonstrates collective energy and synergy. They strive to foster entrepreneurial investment and growth and encourage a vibrant, multi-cultural, family-oriented downtown that is enjoyed by its community. Learn more about what the Coldwater Main Street program is doing to support their community in the 2024 edition of their Impact Report at https://lnkd.in/gZG5b-Qp. Here are a few key highlights: 💵 Downtown Coldwater Main Street saw nearly $1.5 million worth of private investment in the district between 2022-2023, totaling $2,023644 since the program's inception in 2021. 🏛 Downtown Coldwater celebrated 7 new businesses between 2022-2023, and 6 renovations to facades & building upgrades took place just in 2022-2023, bringing the grand total 11 new businesses and 10 facade & building rehabs since the program's launch. 🙋♀️ Downtown Coldwater Main Street welcomed 23,000 folks into the community for events and gatherings, bolstered by 318 volunteer hours at the value of $9,588 for the year. Their programmatic goals are to provide family-friendly experiences with a focus on arts and culture; to revitalize buildings and public spaces to enhance an authentic sense of community that is attractive to all ages; and to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports existing and new, experience-based, and multicultural businesses. Each year, Michigan Main Street supports local communities in compiling its annual Impact Report to demonstrate the power of Main Street programming. From transformations of commercial districts to community revitalizations across the state, Michigan Main Street’s dedicated economic efforts over the decades have been leading economic growth in downtowns across the state. Read the compilation of their efforts for the past 20 years in the report recently published, detailing Michigan Main Street’s economic, fiscal and community impact: https://lnkd.in/gespseip

Recreating space in established neighborhoods is just starting. Every neighborhood - including suburban ones - needs to become energized as a complete community. Eric in this article shows us how beautiful and successful it can be. Successful for the developer, yes, but more importantly for the existing fabric of the neighborhood. https://lnkd.in/gBzEApaN

To my network As a B Corp we're always on the look out for like minds to collaborate with. I've been introduced to the brilliant Jude King from Community RePaint. Jude has asked me to connect her with people who might be helpful in spreading the word both from a marketing perspective and also to reach audiences of community groups / leisure trusts / sports clubs who might like to think about starting their own Community RePaint scheme – all you need is a space (that needs painting!), some person power and the drive to be more sustainable and help towards building a circular economy! In a nutshell: How to save money and add to your green credentials by picking up a paint brush.   Community RePaint is a UK wide paint reuse network. Their 70+ schemes collect leftover paint from traders, businesses, manufactures and homes and redistribute it to benefit individuals, families, schools, communities and charities at an affordable cost.   An estimated 50 million of the 320 million litres of paint sold in the UK each year go to waste. This leftover paint is either thrown away or stored in homes or garages despite over 50% of it still being usable. Community RePaint is here to change all that. For 30 years they’ve been collecting and redistributing surplus paint for the benefit of our communities and the planet.   Are you planning on decorating this year?   Halls, offices or larger spaces - For large volumes (60 litres or more) choose ReColour our remanufactured paint. Available in a range of colours and delivered to your door.   Using innovative technology, we take leftover paint, filter, treat and blend it to create a range of high-quality interior emulsion, exterior masonry, gloss and chalk furniture paint. ReColour rivals the big names on quality, beats them on price and is the answer to sustainable decorating.   Murals, benches and smaller spaces - For small volumes in an array of colours visit your local Community RePaint Scheme – find them online. Our schemes collect half tins and paint that will otherwise be disposed of, checks for quality and makes them available to the public via their retail outlets. These are all community projects, so every tin purchased saves waste and contributes to a great cause. Jude has spoken to their remanufacturing centre in the Wirral and they have confirmed that when ReColour (the remanufactured paint) is suitable for community use settings. Testimonial: “We were looking at an extortionate bill to get it all painted professionally and so when we got in touch with Community RePaint we were amazed and all the money we've saved will now be available to support the community in creating their initiatives.” Kentish Town Innovation Hub Contact details below: communityrepaint.org.uk   Facebook:         CommunityRePaint X:                           Comm_RePaint Instagram:       Communityrepaint Tiktok:               communityrepaint   Email: repaint@resourcefutures.co.uk 0117 914 3452