Placemaking

Great places are at the heart of happy, healthy neighbourhoods. Great places create opportunities for neighbours to socialize and have fun, not to mention create a lasting source of neighbourhood pride.

What is placemaking?

Placemaking brings neighbourhoods to life by turning everyday spaces into cool gathering places and destinations. Some creative examples of placemaking in Kitchener include:

The possibilities are endless. Even the smallest effort can make a neighbourhood feel more welcoming and connected.

Young women talking on front porch

So why not you?

When it comes to placemaking you are the experts. There is no one better to lead a placemaking project than residents -- the people who use neighbourhood places every day.

To help you get started, we created a Placemaking Guide. It has some examples, tips, and steps to follow for placemaking in your neighbourhood.

If you have an idea for a placemaking project in your neighbourhood, you can seek out funding opportunities, including the LoveMyHood Matching Grant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you give me some examples of placemaking?

Of course. Search the Placemaking category in our Ideas & Inspiration section. Here are a few more ideas:

Information boards
Pop-up lemonade stand or tea party
Rainwater harvesting system or rainwater garden
Bicycle fix-it station
Pollinator gardens
Pet waste composter
Intersection murals or painted crosswalks
Art: Murals, artifacts, monuments, paintings, exhibits, etc.
Heritage signs or interpretive features
Identity signage
Edible forest
Seating area: Muskoka chairs, benches, picnic tables, artistic seating, umbrellas, etc.
Shade structures or shade trees
Activities: ping pong table, chess table, gaga ball court, giant board games, etc.
Exercise equipment
Group fitness or yoga classes in the park
Pop-up farmers markets or crafters markets
Convert a parking spot into a mini-park
Planter boxes

Is placemaking just another way of saying "host an event?"

Not exactly. Placemaking interacts with the unique geography, culture and heritage of a specific place. An event might be a type of placemaking, if it encourages attendees to notice the place around them and think about its potential for more public use in the future. The best placemaking projects don't require an event of any kind at all, because people will want to spend time there year-round, no matter what is happening.

I've never done this before. How do I lead a placemaking project?

Don't worry! Check out the Placemaking Guide with helpful tips, suggestions and steps that can help you along the way.

Do I need to engage the rest of the neighbourhood?

Absolutely! Since you're making changes to a public place intended for everyone to enjoy, it's important that your neighbours know what's happening and be involved if they want to be. At minimum, we expect that you notify residents within 120 meters of the proposed placemaking location, perhaps by printing flyers or hosting an information night. Our team can advise on the best way to engage residents depending on the specifics of your project.

Will I need to get any approvals or permits?

In most cases, yes, there will be some approvals involved. It all depends on your specific idea. Our team will help identify the approvals that are needed and help you navigate city hall.

What happens when my project is done? Who owns it and who maintains it?

If your placemaking is happening on city-owned land, the city will likely take ownership of permanent installations, to ensure it remains safe and accessible for residents to enjoy for years to come. Most projects will require some form of maintenance or upkeep, so this is something to consider while developing your project. How will this placemaking project be maintained? What role can you play in keeping it safe and beautiful? Depending on the specifics of your project, we'll enter into an agreement that outlines what you and your neighbours can do to maintain the project and what our team can do.