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Evolving role of place management organisations in bold placemaking
Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal,
17
(2),
160-171
(2023)
Abstract
Placemaking has become ever more critical in re-establishing and reactivating urban commercial districts. Being bold in placemaking now means expanding place management’s role in economic development, reshaping physical spaces for social and economic recovery and reclaiming public spaces for people. With downtown conditions changing faster than ever before, this paper examines how urban place management organisations are supporting local businesses, expanding the night-time economy, engaging residents, pedestrianising streets and memorialising public space for civic protest and healing. The future of placemaking includes an imperative of social and cultural connection and context.
Keywords: place management; placemaking; economic development; pedestrianisation; community activation
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Cathy Lin leads in-house research efforts in quantifying the value of downtowns and public–private place management organisations, providing best practice solutions, and serving as a source of leading indicators on issues affecting the future of downtowns and urban districts. Prior to joining IDA in 2018, Cathy was a project manager at the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, and a planner on the strategic research team at the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore.
Lisa Middag is an urban planner who collaborates with communities and artists to support equitable, vibrant and sustainable public spaces through inclusive placemaking and intentional community development. She is responsible for placemaking along Minneapolis’s historic downtown pedestrian/transit street. She previously worked for Hennepin County Community Works and led an effort to connect the Midtown Greenway bicycle trail to nearby cultural and commercial destinations through wayfinding and placemaking. Lisa served as the Chair of the Bold Placemaking Top Issues Council report for IDA in 2022.
Jennifer Nakayama joined the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership (DOKC) in February 2023 and was previously with the Waikiki Business Improvement District Association for six years as the President and Executive Director. DOKC is a not-for-profit organisation that manages and markets the Downtown Business Improvement District. The DOKC’s mission is to create and champion a vibrant and diverse downtown through placemaking, advocacy and promotion. She holds a Professional Civil Engineering licence in California and Hawaii.
Evan Sweet directs neighborhood operations and planning for the Meatpacking District Management Association (MDMA), in New York City. Evan’s work focuses on enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work and visit the Meatpacking District through the development of New York City’s first Pedestrian Oriented District plan. Prior to the Meatpacking District, Evan worked in economic development planning where he supported major projects including UBS Arena at Belmont Park and New York City’s Central Business District Tolling program. Evan received a MS in Urban Planning from Columbia University in 2017, and a BA in Geography from the University of Kentucky in 2013.
Gabriel Yeager started in the place management industry as an intern for the Rochester Downtown Alliance (Minnesota) and Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21. Since assuming a full-time position with Milwaukee Downtown in 2018, Gabriel has created and managed an ambitious public realm strategy, including new murals and public art, aesthetic lighting enhancements, public space programming and district-wide wayfinding. He has helped secure significant funding and support from both the public and private sectors, totalling over US$750,000 in downtown improvement projects. He received a BSc in architectural studies in 2018 and is expected to graduate with a Master of Urban Planning degree in 2023 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
