Download to calendar
Placemaking is the art of creating temporary community spaces, often on a small budget.
We all have spots in our neighborhoods that could use a little love. Maybe it's an empty lot with overgrown lawn, strewn with plastic bags. Or perhaps it’s a frumpy strip of retail without much allure. Either way, it needs a helping hand.
Now is your chance to do something about it! The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is challenging you to teach an Old Place New Tricks by activating a public space in your community for one day this summer.
To help you get started, we're kicking off the 2014 Old Place New Tricks Placemaking challenge with our free “Placemaking 101” training on Tuesday, July 8!
Click the "register" button above to register today for the training and the contest. Registration closes July 7 at noon. By registering for the training, you agree to take part in the implementation challenge on August 15, 16 or 17.
At the training, we’ll cover the basics of Placemaking and teach you how to conduct a Placemaking audit, a community brainstorming tour of the space you want to transform. We are also very excited to let you know that Groupon Grassroots will be there to teach you how to use crowd-funding as a tool to raise money to help implement your ideas!
Participants will be eligible for one of four $1,000 prizes; three are sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and one, the Groupon Love Local Award, is sponsored by Groupon Grassroots. All participants will receive a free web page, thanks to our partners at EveryBlock, to promote their Placemaking activity leading up to the Aug. 15-17 activation weekend. After the training, you’ll choose your own adventure: You can design and pull off a Placemaking intervention in your neighborhood during the weekend of Aug. 15 to 17.
If you have any questions, contact Kara Riggio at 312 863 6022 or kriggio@metroplanning.org. Note: Please feel free to bring multiple people from one community to the training; however, please register separately for each person who is attending.
So what are you waiting for? Register for the free Placemaking training today! To sweeten the deal, MPC will reimburse the first five entrants up to $100 for materials purchased and used during the activation.
Our 2014 Placemaking challenge is generously sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Special thanks to partners EveryBlock and Groupon Grassroots.
