Practice of Place
@practiceofplace.bsky.social
Placemaking resources and discussion from The Musicant Group, a firm creating places where people want to be. musicantgroup.com
practiceofplace.substack.com
practiceofplace.substack.com
☀️ Summer's here—time to turn your front yard into a space for connection! Our Friendly Front Yards Toolkit helps you create welcoming, sociable spaces right at your doorstep. Start placemaking today: 🔗 www.musicantgroup.com/friendly-fro... #FriendlyFrontYards
Friendly Fronts Project Resources — The Musicant Group
www.musicantgroup.com
May 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM
☀️ Summer's here—time to turn your front yard into a space for connection! Our Friendly Front Yards Toolkit helps you create welcoming, sociable spaces right at your doorstep. Start placemaking today: 🔗 www.musicantgroup.com/friendly-fro... #FriendlyFrontYards
Placemaking is changemaking. Influence, not control, drives lasting impact. Small, purposeful acts—how we shape space, engage others, or design with care—can shift systems toward equity and connection.
#Placemaking #Changemaking #DesignForImpact #PublicSpaces
#Placemaking #Changemaking #DesignForImpact #PublicSpaces
May 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Placemaking is changemaking. Influence, not control, drives lasting impact. Small, purposeful acts—how we shape space, engage others, or design with care—can shift systems toward equity and connection.
#Placemaking #Changemaking #DesignForImpact #PublicSpaces
#Placemaking #Changemaking #DesignForImpact #PublicSpaces
What if your event sparked daily vitality, not just a one-time crowd? We looked at how Edina Art Fair became part of a bigger placemaking strategy—reworking flow, promoting what's next, and staying connected.
👉 shorturl.at/ZSoOT
#placemaking #publicspace #citylife #tacticalurbanism #events
👉 shorturl.at/ZSoOT
#placemaking #publicspace #citylife #tacticalurbanism #events
From once a year to every day: creating long term vitality from big events
Using big events as opportunities to reshape habits
practiceofplace.substack.com
April 21, 2025 at 4:23 PM
What if your event sparked daily vitality, not just a one-time crowd? We looked at how Edina Art Fair became part of a bigger placemaking strategy—reworking flow, promoting what's next, and staying connected.
👉 shorturl.at/ZSoOT
#placemaking #publicspace #citylife #tacticalurbanism #events
👉 shorturl.at/ZSoOT
#placemaking #publicspace #citylife #tacticalurbanism #events
Big events have the most impact when they build on positive, daily experiences in a place. Our latest blog explores how event strategy and placemaking go hand-in-hand to shape lasting habits.
📖 Read more: shorturl.at/ZSoOT
#Placemaking #EventStrategy #UrbanDesign #CommunityDevelopment
📖 Read more: shorturl.at/ZSoOT
#Placemaking #EventStrategy #UrbanDesign #CommunityDevelopment
From once a year to every day: creating long term vitality from big events
Using big events as opportunities to reshape habits
practiceofplace.substack.com
April 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Big events have the most impact when they build on positive, daily experiences in a place. Our latest blog explores how event strategy and placemaking go hand-in-hand to shape lasting habits.
📖 Read more: shorturl.at/ZSoOT
#Placemaking #EventStrategy #UrbanDesign #CommunityDevelopment
📖 Read more: shorturl.at/ZSoOT
#Placemaking #EventStrategy #UrbanDesign #CommunityDevelopment
With these 4 engagement strategies, you'll have greater success creating places for people. For greater depth on this topic, check out our full blog series on "Accountability & Engagement" by visiting our Substack: shorturl.at/8ttWc
#Placemaking #Urbanism #PublicSpace #Engagement
#Placemaking #Urbanism #PublicSpace #Engagement
April 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
With these 4 engagement strategies, you'll have greater success creating places for people. For greater depth on this topic, check out our full blog series on "Accountability & Engagement" by visiting our Substack: shorturl.at/8ttWc
#Placemaking #Urbanism #PublicSpace #Engagement
#Placemaking #Urbanism #PublicSpace #Engagement
Great read from Alex Yuen ('Dust to Destiny') on how physical places must compete with digital spaces. He urges us to enhance real-world experiences with sensory richness & serendipity. How have you seen spaces blend physical & digital elements? Share below! shorturl.at/WvoxK
#Placemaking #Urbanism
#Placemaking #Urbanism
Digital World First, Physical World Second
Recognizing this New World Order
www.dusttodensity.com
April 2, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Great read from Alex Yuen ('Dust to Destiny') on how physical places must compete with digital spaces. He urges us to enhance real-world experiences with sensory richness & serendipity. How have you seen spaces blend physical & digital elements? Share below! shorturl.at/WvoxK
#Placemaking #Urbanism
#Placemaking #Urbanism
The value of place is shaped by its relationships between elements. In placemaking, consider how the positioning of a chair, a lawn game, or path, gains significance through its context with surrounding features. More on: practiceofplace.substack.com #Urbanism #PublicSpace #Placemaking #CityDesign
April 1, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The value of place is shaped by its relationships between elements. In placemaking, consider how the positioning of a chair, a lawn game, or path, gains significance through its context with surrounding features. More on: practiceofplace.substack.com #Urbanism #PublicSpace #Placemaking #CityDesign
Patty Smith’s ‘Stoop Coffee’ turned front stoops into communal hubs—similar to The Musicant Group’s ‘Friendly Fronts,’ which reimagined front yards as social spaces. Both remind us that often the simplest actions make the strongest impacts! ☕🏡 Learn more: shorturl.at/dBjJz #Placemaking #Urbanism
Stoop Coffee: How a Simple Idea Transformed My Neighborhood
Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Patty Smith.
shorturl.at
March 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Patty Smith’s ‘Stoop Coffee’ turned front stoops into communal hubs—similar to The Musicant Group’s ‘Friendly Fronts,’ which reimagined front yards as social spaces. Both remind us that often the simplest actions make the strongest impacts! ☕🏡 Learn more: shorturl.at/dBjJz #Placemaking #Urbanism
Moments of "surprise & delight" bring humanness to spaces, connecting communities & showing care for the environment. Want to create your own? Start with these 3 tips! Check out our blog for more: shorturl.at/FFUd9 #Placemaking #UrbanDesign #CityPlanning #PublicSpaces #CommunityBuilding
March 28, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Moments of "surprise & delight" bring humanness to spaces, connecting communities & showing care for the environment. Want to create your own? Start with these 3 tips! Check out our blog for more: shorturl.at/FFUd9 #Placemaking #UrbanDesign #CityPlanning #PublicSpaces #CommunityBuilding
practiceofplace.substack.com/p/creating-c... #Placemaking #Urbanism #PublicSpaceDesign #CityPlanning #UrbanEvents
March 27, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Want to create lasting connections in public spaces? It’s all about “Surprise & Delight!” When spaces provide joyful, unexpected moments, it leads to stronger emotional ties and more community interaction. Read more👇 practiceofplace.substack.com/p/creating-c... #UrbanDesign #SurpriseAndDelight
Creating Connections through Surprise & Delight
Using play and creativity to foster ongoing connections between people and place.
practiceofplace.substack.com
March 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Want to create lasting connections in public spaces? It’s all about “Surprise & Delight!” When spaces provide joyful, unexpected moments, it leads to stronger emotional ties and more community interaction. Read more👇 practiceofplace.substack.com/p/creating-c... #UrbanDesign #SurpriseAndDelight
Great to see cities exploring how to fill downtown vacancies: Diana Lind highlights "Vacant to Vibrant" in San Francisco, which helps new businesses w/rent and lease challenges. She notes the shift from focusing just on "retail revenue" to “creating a desirable neighborhood." shorturl.at/RXAp9
The First Step in San Francisco's Rebound
Why fixing retail is especially urgent
shorturl.at
March 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Great to see cities exploring how to fill downtown vacancies: Diana Lind highlights "Vacant to Vibrant" in San Francisco, which helps new businesses w/rent and lease challenges. She notes the shift from focusing just on "retail revenue" to “creating a desirable neighborhood." shorturl.at/RXAp9
What's an event you've attended which created a new habit for you? Share with us below! 👇 Read more of our strategies by subscribing to our Substack: practiceofplace.substack.com #Urbanism #UrbanStorytelling #CreativePlacemaking #PeoplePlacesCities
March 22, 2025 at 1:57 AM
What's an event you've attended which created a new habit for you? Share with us below! 👇 Read more of our strategies by subscribing to our Substack: practiceofplace.substack.com #Urbanism #UrbanStorytelling #CreativePlacemaking #PeoplePlacesCities
We resonate with this post from Iain Montgomery at Challenger Cities: Making moves > just talking. Small pilots build momentum, and help people imagine what’s possible. What small changes have you seen spark big momentum in a place? shorturl.at/aio7G
#Placemaking #Urbanism #SmartCities
#Placemaking #Urbanism #SmartCities
Urbanists Have a Communication Problem, and it’s Costing us Great Cities
Can we stop lecturing people about what makes good urbanism, and start selling the feeling of better places to play, live and work?
shorturl.at
March 20, 2025 at 7:31 PM
We resonate with this post from Iain Montgomery at Challenger Cities: Making moves > just talking. Small pilots build momentum, and help people imagine what’s possible. What small changes have you seen spark big momentum in a place? shorturl.at/aio7G
#Placemaking #Urbanism #SmartCities
#Placemaking #Urbanism #SmartCities
Infusing positive activity into a place boosts its economy and turns it into a true destination. If designed with the community, ownership develops and encourages care. These strategies helped transform an intersection in our "Play on Penn" project into a spot to play, and connect. shorturl.at/n8pJk
Play on Penn: Creating Belonging in a Vacant Lot — The Musicant Group
Tags: District & Site Management, Programming/Activations/Events
www.musicantgroup.com
March 18, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Infusing positive activity into a place boosts its economy and turns it into a true destination. If designed with the community, ownership develops and encourages care. These strategies helped transform an intersection in our "Play on Penn" project into a spot to play, and connect. shorturl.at/n8pJk
Main street placemaking thrives when there are positive spillovers. This can show up as increased visits, shared resources, and beautifully designed spaces. Strong main streets aren't about one business doing well; create a thriving ecosystem where everyone rises together! #placemaking #mainstreets
March 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Main street placemaking thrives when there are positive spillovers. This can show up as increased visits, shared resources, and beautifully designed spaces. Strong main streets aren't about one business doing well; create a thriving ecosystem where everyone rises together! #placemaking #mainstreets
Humans have 5 senses—a good place should appeal to them all. Especially for places like storefronts, where you’re trying to draw in passersby, spaces should sound, smell, feel and even taste good, in addition to looking good. Read more: www.musicantgroup.com/resources
#placemaking #publicspaces
#placemaking #publicspaces
Placemaking Resources — The Musicant Group
www.musicantgroup.com
March 11, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Humans have 5 senses—a good place should appeal to them all. Especially for places like storefronts, where you’re trying to draw in passersby, spaces should sound, smell, feel and even taste good, in addition to looking good. Read more: www.musicantgroup.com/resources
#placemaking #publicspaces
#placemaking #publicspaces
What makes a space feel safe? It’s not about profiling or exclusion—it’s about the experience. When we focus on positive experiences & actions, we create real safety for everyone. Read more on our blog: practiceofplace.substack.com/p/building-a... #SafeSpaces #UrbanPlanning #Placemaking
Creating Real and Perceived Safety
Sustained safety can only be achieved through positive activity
practiceofplace.substack.com
March 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
What makes a space feel safe? It’s not about profiling or exclusion—it’s about the experience. When we focus on positive experiences & actions, we create real safety for everyone. Read more on our blog: practiceofplace.substack.com/p/building-a... #SafeSpaces #UrbanPlanning #Placemaking
The value a place holds is directly related to that place’s usefulness in fulfilling human needs and desires. Providing goods and services - such as food, shelter, socializing and learning opportunities - is the best way to help users build positive experiences in a place. #placemaking #publicspace
March 6, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The value a place holds is directly related to that place’s usefulness in fulfilling human needs and desires. Providing goods and services - such as food, shelter, socializing and learning opportunities - is the best way to help users build positive experiences in a place. #placemaking #publicspace
True transformation can happen in places where community members are at the forefront of care. Learn how the Ambassador model of our Mobility Hubs project provided a framework for local individuals to become “champions” of shaping their shared environment: www.musicantgroup.com/projects/mob...
Mobility Hubs: Creating & Caring For A New Type of Transit Center — The Musicant Group
Tags: District & Site Management, Planning & Design
www.musicantgroup.com
March 6, 2025 at 12:23 AM
True transformation can happen in places where community members are at the forefront of care. Learn how the Ambassador model of our Mobility Hubs project provided a framework for local individuals to become “champions” of shaping their shared environment: www.musicantgroup.com/projects/mob...
We believe in sharing knowledge, and that creating great places starts with the right tools. 🛠️ Dive into our Placemaking Resource library—free toolkits filled with lessons from our past work to guide your placemaking journey. 📚 Explore now:
www.musicantgroup.com/resources
www.musicantgroup.com/resources
Placemaking Resources — The Musicant Group
www.musicantgroup.com
March 3, 2025 at 6:55 PM
We believe in sharing knowledge, and that creating great places starts with the right tools. 🛠️ Dive into our Placemaking Resource library—free toolkits filled with lessons from our past work to guide your placemaking journey. 📚 Explore now:
www.musicantgroup.com/resources
www.musicantgroup.com/resources
