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

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

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. 🧵

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

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

Toronto is home to some amazing public spaces - like Berczy Park, just a few steps from St. Lawrence Market.

Check out these and other amazing places as part of the 2nd Global Placemaking Summit, June 8-11.

Info, 4-day pass + 1-day Weds tickets avail here: www.placemakingx.org/summit25

Early bird ticket prices for the 2nd Global Placemaking Summit wrap up at midnight tonight!

Get your Summit pass today and join us in Toronto for four days of amazing public space and placemaking dialogue and events.

We're excited to host the upcoming Placemaking Summit 2025 in Toronto, and are looking for passionate volunteers to help with event logistics, registration, attendee support, and more.

June 8-11, 2025, Toronto

✅ Interested? Fill out the volunteer form here:
tinyurl.com/4yv2ht6y

Got a public space or placemaking lesson from 2024 that you think is worth passing along? Share your story at our #BigTakeaway2024 event on Mon Dec 9.

Tickets are FREE. Register/More Info: tinyurl.com/4pufnpas