Placemaking Sandbox

Placemaking Sandbox brings universities and practitioners together to test the theory and practice of placemaking. It develops practical ways to evaluate placemaking decisions and to create public spaces shaped by active citizen participation.

The consortium created teaching modules and design studios in which students could engage with communities, design interventions and build real-world projects. Annual summits shared examples, studio outcomes and evaluation methods while building the capacity of councils, developers and other project procurers.

Aim and objectives

1. Connect universities and practitioners around a theory-and-practice program.
2. Build students' skills in community participation and co-design while giving citizens a voice.
3. Create shared placemaking language for councils, developers, practitioners and students.
4. Help project procurers create conditions for lasting, community-led initiatives.

Timeframe: 2017–2019