The book is, in part, a call to renew civic systems and public spaces… and a timely counterpoint to some of the many challenges faced by cities and communities in the 21st century.
For more info, or to get your copy: bit.ly/3ZhTJE8
An exciting edition to the study of public life and the literature of urbanism and cultural studies! Black Public Joy, by Jay Pitter, explores Black people’s public joy histories, sacred rituals, movements, and contemporary expressions. /x
Across Canada and beyond, Indigenous Peoples are reclaiming and rematriating place names – not just as acts of recognition, but as assertions of law, governance, and jurisdiction.
Read the full special report on our website, linked in bio
We are heartbroken to to hear about the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, BC. Our hearts go out to the victims of this tragedy, and to the community dealing with the aftermath of this terrible event.
For those needing support, please contact the services below, as listed on the Govt of BC post.
After 15 long years, Toronto's #EglintonCrosstown LRT line is now open! The 19km route has 25 stops, linking Etobicoke to Scarborough along a key midtown artery. Very exciting to see the new transit route up and running.
📷The Trolley Pole
Beyond privileged to have another major feature for the second weekend in a row. This time in The Walrus, where excerpts from Black Public Joy are summarized—including a snippet of my research & a couple of stories. That kind of editorial engagement is rare for authors, and I’m deeply grateful.
For the full RFP, including details on submission (deadline February 20) and how to ask anonymous questions: www.c40.org/wp-content/u...
Request for Proposals | Toronto, ON
Our friends at @c40cities.bsky.social, City of Toronto & Waterfront Toronto are seeking proposals for a pop-up gathering space on Ookwemin Minising. A great opportunity to for local placemakers to enrich this brand-new public space. /...
📸Waterfront Toronto
Wishing you all a wonderful, restorative winter break... and a year filled with public space and placemaking adventures.
Today, more than ever, let us remember.
We pay our respects to the many who have fought in conflicts around the world, and to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us always strive for peace, dignity, human rights - and a world where no one has to face the horrors of war.
📷 Lx 191 Guelph ON
'Sometimes it’s difficult to truly comprehend what some members may have gone through': Indigenous Veterans Day marked at ceremonies across the country www.aptnnews.ca?p=235331
Beautiful red poppies made with magnificent skill by indigenous may and Inuit artists honouring indigenous veterans today and every day
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS
VETERANS DAY 🇨🇦
November 8th 2025
Our thoughts go out to Kathy’s family, friends and colleagues.
For more on Kathy’s legacy, please visit the Social Life Project: tinyurl.com/5d7e89tx
We were so glad that she was able to make it to Toronto for the 2nd Global Placemaking Summit this past June. It was an honour to host her again – especially as the event provided an opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of PPS.
Kathy, along with Fred Kent and Steve Davies, were the founders and driving force behind Project for Public Spaces (PPS) and the Social Life Project. An environmental designer by training, Kathy helped to champion the role of public space in communities around the world.
The team at Placemaking Canada is deeply saddened to learn that Kathy Madden has passed away. Kathy was a friend and mentor whose guidance helped to kickstart our organization, and whose ongoing support over the years helped to keep us on track with our efforts to advance Canadian placemaking.
"Having a city that can accommodate messiness is a sign of urban health." Within this, public spaces can be a place of "positive friction" and an opportunity to "deliver on the promise of empathy."
#ZahraEbrahim, in conversation with @fabulavancouver.bsky.social at the #VPL. Cc @vpsn.bsky.social
The draft report from the 2nd Global Placemaking Summit, held in Toronto this past June, is now live. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Big props to the local organizing committee and @placemakingx.bsky.social for the collaborative effort!
Further resources:
TRC Calls to Action: nctr.ca/about/histor...
Indian Residential School Survivors Society - www.irsss.ca
Orange Shirt Day Society -https://orangeshirtday.org/
At Placemaking Canada, we recommit ourselves to centering reconciliation in our placemaking work, to advancing the TRC Calls to Action, and to furthering our learning from Indigenous communities from coast to coast to coast.
Truth and Reconciliation Day.
We honour the survivors of residential schools and think of the children who never returned home, their families and communities, and everyone who carries the burden of their loss. 🧵
And for all of you thinking about the good work yet to be done -- to make this country more equitable, sustainable and inclusive... we see you! That, to us, is what #CanadaStrong is all about.
Canada Day 158+
Today we celebrate placemakers, placekeepers and public space advocates from coast to coast to coast. Thank you for enriching our communities and making this such a beautiful place to live. 1/2
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day! There are a beautiful array of activities taking place from coast to coast to coast. Enjoy!
We take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to advancing Reconciliation, upholding the values of #UNDRIP, & to continuing our journey of learning & action.
This morning at AKI Studios: keynotes on placemaking and peacemaking, the importance of small interventions, complete communities, and a pecha kucha of of placemaking initiatives from across the country.
#GlobalPlacemakingSunmit
Welcome to Toronto to all the placemakers that are here from around the world for the Global Placemaking Summit! @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
🏙️🌳 How do we bring together #placemaking goals with the need for urban greening and #renaturing for #resilience?
Today at the #GlobalPlacemakingSummit, Commit2Green led the conversation on "Placemaking with Nature!"
@placemakingx.bsky.social
@placemaking-canada.bsky.social
Not possible. Opening up streets for people. Can no one think about the automobiles?
Snap shots of DoWest Street Festival dowestfest.com via @glista.bsky.social @anotherglassbox.bsky.social @ericlombardi.bsky.social and Chris McKee
The buildings of #TheWell and their interior walkways and gathering spaces came about as the result of a collaboration between four developers. Landscaping by Claude Cormier
A variety of programming activates the spaces. Stewarded by a central management entity. #PlacemakingCanada #POPS
Dennis Lago of @UrbanStrategies kicks off the 2nd #GlobalPlacemakingSummit with a tour of #TheWell - a unique, 8acre mixed-use development on site of the former Globe & Mail production facility.
#PlacemakingCanada
