Cities around the world, often face a chronic shortage of affordable creative space for makers, artists, musicians and creatives. And, what little space that is left, is often being taken over for development forcing creatives away from their existing communities in a perpetual cycle. Yet quite often, space that could be utilised for vibrant creative use is hiding in plain sight; from vacant buildings, offices and retail shops to carparks, laneways and the public realm.
In this panel you’ll heart about several incredible urban space transformation projects, led by art communities and placemaking practitioners from around the world and how they create and incubate community, build interesting bridges and connections, infuse creative ideas and develop incredibly vibrant partnerships that make our cities wonderful places to live. You’ll hear about tips and tricks for working with landlords, building owners and statutory authorities, temporary intervention models and unique ‘meanwhile use’ of vacant space, ‘bending the rules’ as well as long term governance and funding models.
Hear from Trans Europe Halls, one of the largest and oldest cultural networks in Europe, and a pioneer organisation worldwide when it comes to retrofitting abandoned urban spaces for arts and culture as well as several practitioners from Australia, the UK and France in an inspiring panel session.
Our session will include a screening of "The Place Man" (19 min), highlighting Fred Kent's contributions to the placemaking movement. After the film, a panel discussion on "Local Power & The Battle for Place" will feature experts sharing strategies for community-driven urban transformation. This session will explore how communities can reclaim public spaces and empower local stakeholders, offering actionable insights into fostering local power. The people of Buurland have shown that anyone can be a placemaking hero. They turned an area slated for demolition into a thriving community in Utrecht. Even after vacating in October 2023, Buurland's residents successfully negotiated with the municipality for a potential comeback. The session will explore Buurland's inspiring journey, highlighting the roles of collaboration, leadership, and resilience in creating vibrant communities. Through Qendresa and other residents' stories, attendees will gain tangible insights into community empowerment and sustainable development. This session at PWE '24 is essential, offering a mix of inspiration and practical advice. The documentary provides a compelling narrative, while the panel discussion offers concrete steps for participants to implement in their own communities. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired and equipped for impactful change
Guillermo Bernal is a global leader in the placemaking movement, with over a decade of experience in transforming public spaces into vibrant community hubs. He is the Founding Director of Fundación Placemaking México and Executive Director of The Place Institute, organizations that... Read More →
Ethan Kent works to support public space organizations, projects, and leadership around the world to build a global placemaking movement. Ethan has traveled to more than 1000 cities and 60 countries to advance the cause of leading urban development with inclusive public spaces and... Read More →
