Why Placemaking?
There is an estimated 11 billion square feet of space that enliven the work of Community-Centered Institutions (CCI). These include organizations like religious institutions, performing arts centers, recreation centers, senior centers, and theaters. There are approximately 370,008 CCI in the U.S. that steward a range of missions, visions, and objectives. These institutions inhabit properties that serve as spaces for community gathering, connection, safety, training, identity, entertainment, and more.
In many respects, these spaces contribute to the heart and soul of a community.
At Flourish Placemaking Collective, we define placemaking as:
The art and act of intentionally planning and making decisions with community stakeholders at the center, which seeks to ensure private and public assets are used to provide a range of support, connection, and inspiration to those who live, work, and play in the community.
Our placemaking philosophy centers on two primary questions:
- How do we steward our physical space in a holistic way—heart, soul, mind, and strength?
- How does the use of our physical space demonstrate our commitment to the flourishing of our community?
Placemaking lives at the center of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and is demonstrated most clearly by our commitment to the flourishing of our community.