Hi all,
In case you haven’t already received this information – Project for Public Spaces is holding a meeting in Detroit next month (April 11-12th) to discuss the future of how to advance community change through Placemaking, or focusing on the creation of great public places. One of the groups will focus on Healthy Communities work. One of the goals of the meeting is to identify innovative projects and place-based strategies that have succeeded in creating healthier people and places, as well as to discuss ways and resource needs in order to replicate these innovations in more places across the country.
Anyway, I’m including the meeting invitation below, in case any of you are interested in attending. I recently got involved in this effort, so apologies for not sending sooner! More info and event registration
--Kate
From: Lauren Masseria [mailto:lmasseria@pps.org]
Placemaking Leadership Council
Detroit, Michigan
April 11-12, 2013
This is a letter we are sending out to people who have led the transformation of cities and neighborhoods around the world. Project for Public Spaces warmly invites you to join our Placemaking Leadership Council, a body being formed to support and guide an international campaign to promote the benefits of Placemaking in communities around the world. We see a convergence of movements supported by the concept of ‘place.’
At the Detroit meeting, we will be developing the Placemaking Campaign's strategic agenda and jointly defining the steps to achieve maximum impact through broad, systemic change. After a morning plenary session on Thursday, April 11, featuring both national and local speakers, most of the meeting will be structured in small, interactive groups. These smaller groups will report back to the larger convening and a concluding plenary panel will summarize next steps for moving forward.
We are delighted to confirm that Rip Rapson, President of the Kresge Foundation, will be kicking off our two-day dialogue with an overview of the role of Placemaking in Detroit , highlighting the many specific places where it is transforming the city. You will have the opportunity to visit some of these places on the optional Saturday tours. The Kresge Foundation has been a major funder of the city's Detroit Future City plan. Here is a link to an overview of this exciting effort: http://www.kresge.org/news/detroit-future-city-framework-offers-roadmap-for-jobs-strong-economy-and-community.
Register for the event. The registration fee for the meeting is $250, which covers the costs of space, food and beverage, and conference materials. We are aiming to attract an audience of diverse backgrounds, and are able to provide travel assistance in the way of a limited number of complementary round trip tickets to Detroit thanks to Southwest Airlines, the official airline of the Council meeting. These tickets will be available based on financial need. The Westin Book Cadillac Hotel is holding a limited number of rooms at $139/night plus tax so please book your hotel.
Event Details
I. Hotel
A group rate of $139/night plus tax is available at the historic Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. The discounted rate expires on March 24 and availability is limited so book soon! Click here for more info and to reserve a room.
II. Southwest Airlines Tickets
There is limited availability of vouchers for free roundtrip flights to Detroit. Please contact leadershipcouncil@pps.org if you require travel assistance in order to attend the meeting.
III. Venue
The meeting will be held so you can experience (and have fun) in the revitalizing downtown Detroit, which is undergoing dramatic growth and change. The meeting will launch at the recently renovated historic Westin Book Cadillac Hotel but other sessions, meals, and events will take place in the Compuware corporate headquarters building overlooking Campus Martius, downtown's vibrant square that PPS help to plan and is now expanding, and even in storefronts along the city's main street, Woodward Avenue, where new retail shops will soon be opening.
IV. Meals and Receptions
Lunches will be provided on both Thursday and Friday, and breakfast will be provided on Friday. A reception will be held Thursday evening.
V. Agenda (regularly scheduled breaks not listed)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
8:30 Welcomes and Introductions
10:30 Strategies for Change
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Introduction - Potential Roles of the Leadership Council
1:30 Group Breakouts - Placemaking Transformative Agendas
5:00 Adjourn
6:00 – 7:30 Reception
Friday, April 12, 2013
8:00 Breakfast & Brainstorming
9:30 Group Breakouts - Continued
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Group Presentations
3:00 Group Presentations (continued)
4:00 Closing Panel/Next Steps
4:30 Adjourn
Saturday, April 13, 2013 - Optional Tours and Mobile Workshops
9:00 - 1:00 Tours will leave from and return to the Westin Book Cadillac.
Break Out Group Categories: Please select your top two breakout choices upon registration.
Background Information located here.
- Building Community Through Transportation
- Creating Multi-Use Community Destinations
- Public Markets and Local Economies
- Architecture of Place
- Healthy Communities
- Place Governance
- Place Capital
VI. Saturday April 13th Tours and Mobile Workshops
Tours are optional at an additional cost of $50. Tickets may be purchased when you register.
Choices are as follows:
1. Downtown Detroit Walking Tour: visit buildings and public spaces that are undergoing renovation and renewal, and meet with the leadership of Quicken Loans/Rock Ventures, the Downtown Partnership, and representatives from other groups that are working together to attract thousands of new residents and employees to downtown.
2. Eastern Market and the Detroit Riverfront: visit Detroit's historic public market, the largest shed market in the United States, and a bustling district of food enterprises. Get a taste of neighborhood revitalization in action through urban agriculture and the arts, and visit the city's new Riverfront public spaces, constructed through a unique public-private partnership.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Cancellations made by March 8 will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made by March 28 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be given after March 28.
PPS looks forward to seeing you in Detroit and working with you to put Place back at the heart of how cities are built the world over. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to leadershipcouncil@pps.org.
Sincerely,
Fred Kent
President
--
Lauren Masseria
Project for Public Spaces
419 Lafayette Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10003
212.620.5660
@PPS_Placemaking