Old Place New Tricks challenges participants to activate an underused space in their community.
The Metropolitan Planning Council is pleased to announce our 2014 Placemaking Challenge: Old Place New Tricks! Since 2009, MPC has been asking the question, “What makes a place great?” across the city and region. From revealing secret hidden gems to transforming neighborhood liabilities into assets, MPC’s annual challenge has inspired local folks to see themselves as “placemakers,” transforming their communities one lot at a time.
This summer, MPC is challenging Chicago-area individuals and community groups to activate a public space in their community for one day—August 15, 16 or 17. We all have spots in need of love in our neighborhood, and this summer is your chance to do something about it. Placemaking turns lonely spaces into community gathering places through quick and easy ideas developed by your community. MPC believes that Placemaking gives people the power to transform their neighborhoods, one space at a time. If you are reading this, you are one of those people!
We hear from many communities that they have dreams of creating fun, active and exciting gathering places, but don’t know where to start. We designed this challenge to help you through the process, beginning with a free “Placemaking 101” training on Tuesday, July 8. Register today!
After the training, participants will choose their own adventure and enliven their selected site for one day during the weekend of August 15. Click here for more details.
We at MPC hope this challenge provides communities an opportunity to tackle those vacant or underused spaces they've been eyeing for a while. Most of all, though, we hope it's a chance for you to get together with friends and neighbors for a great summer event!