Placemaking can take on many theoretical definitions, but in practice, placemaking includes things like a farmers market, family-friendly parks, interesting small businesses, great restaurants, walkable downtowns, and streets lined with trees. Placemaking is what matters most to people.

According to a Brookings Institute report, people cite quality of life features (like parks, events, and walkability) ahead of local economic health and job prospects when deciding where to live. And if people love where they live, they’ll actually spend more money. The Soul of the Community Report from the Knight Foundation found that there’s a correlation between how attached people feel to where they live and local GDP growth. The more people love their community, the more economically vital that place will be.

Here at the Michigan Municipal League, we have clearly prioritized placemaking in almost all aspects of our work. Our core values, policy agenda, training events, and programming all center around place. The State of Michigan has also focused on placemaking for the past many years through the MIplace Initiative. The goal of MIplace is to help communities create more jobs, attract and retain talented workers, and raise incomes through targeted local and regional placemaking activities. Leaders in Michigan understand that placemaking is an important means to state-wide prosperity.

Placemaking Workshops

In an effort to continue to educate a diverse group of local leaders, the state has partnered with the League and Michigan State University to develop an in-depth training program, the MIplace Training Curriculum. This spring, MIplace is hosting more than 30 workshops across the state that go deep into placemaking education.

Workshop attendees can expect to leave with knowledge on the context for placemaking in Michigan, the economic benefits of place, and important elements of form, structure, and connectivity. In day-long workshops, attendees will also work with a place expert to develop a draft placemaking strategy specific to their community. Workshops are free and registration information is available on the MIplace website.

Not convinced placemaking is right for your community? The League is also available to speak with local leaders and do a short, 20-30 minute overview of placemaking sharing information, answering questions, and sparking some excitement!