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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
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Placemaking

Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of the community. Strengthening the connection between community and the places they share. Placemaking refers to a collaborative process that shapes our public realm in order to maximize value.  This concept goes beyond just promoting better urban design principles, placemaking facilitates creative thinking, capitalizes on community assets, and contributes to the community’s health, happiness, and well-being. More than livable; these places are loved.

Put simply, it makes people feel good about where they live, work or play. It involves the action of looking at, listening to, and asking questions of the people who live, work and play in a particular space, When the people come together, they experience and the community’s needs and aspirations. A community’s vision is then derived thorough their interactions with each other within the place. Public art is one of many tools used to tap into creative brainstorming and invoke conversation.

Placemaking Strategic Plan

Learn more about the goals and strategies outlined in the Placemaking Strategic Plan to realize the vision of Thrive Montgomery 2050. 

Goals of Placemaking Strategic Plan

Goal 1

Use placemaking projects to support a competitive local economy.

Goal 2

Equitably distribute placemaking projects to provide access to high-quality outdoor space for everyone.

Goal 3

Use placemaking projects to help achieve the county’s Climate Action Plan goals.

Goal 4

Improve the mental and physical health of individuals and communities through placemaking.

Goal 5

Use placemaking to foster pride of place throughout the county.

Goal 6

Encourage public entities with ownership of the public realm to prioritize placemaking.

Goal 7

Minimize barriers for residents, property owners, and developers to encourage more placemaking projects in the county.

Goal 8

Maximize the impact of Montgomery Planning’s annual investment in placemaking projects.