Social Life Project
@sociallifeproject.bsky.social
Highlighting what makes #publicspaces thrive. Sister program of @PlacemakingX.bsky.social.
By Fred Kent & Kathy Madden, founders & 40+ year leaders of @PPSPlacemaking.bsky.social.
www.SocialLifeProject.org
By Fred Kent & Kathy Madden, founders & 40+ year leaders of @PPSPlacemaking.bsky.social.
www.SocialLifeProject.org
Reposted by Social Life Project
👏😊 Time for a NYC shaped by all, for all. Affordability starts with public space for all to enjoy. Shared places that people love anchor and support inclusive, diverse economies and drive local investment, further attracting and attaching talent to further build the city. 😍🇺🇸
November 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
👏😊 Time for a NYC shaped by all, for all. Affordability starts with public space for all to enjoy. Shared places that people love anchor and support inclusive, diverse economies and drive local investment, further attracting and attaching talent to further build the city. 😍🇺🇸
Reposted by Social Life Project
"One felicity leads to another." Just screened it for my students (as I do every semester). William Holly Whyte changed everything & “created the roadmap for communicating the human factors that make successful public spaces…” www.sociallifeproject.org/the-social-l...
October 31, 2025 at 1:19 PM
"One felicity leads to another." Just screened it for my students (as I do every semester). William Holly Whyte changed everything & “created the roadmap for communicating the human factors that make successful public spaces…” www.sociallifeproject.org/the-social-l...
Reposted by Social Life Project
Despite the divisive media noise at the national level, at the local level is where our needs are most met, where our contributions most matter, and where divides most melt.
Division is the Crisis of Our Times - Connecting in Public Places is How We Heal www.sociallifeproject.org/division-is-... by #FredKent, #KathyMadden & @drtpanova.bsky.social
#PublicSpace #Placemaking @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
#PublicSpace #Placemaking @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
Division is the Crisis of Our Times - Connecting in Public Places is How We Heal
Places where people can come together in real life are essential to being able to reconnect with each other and heal our divides.
www.sociallifeproject.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Despite the divisive media noise at the national level, at the local level is where our needs are most met, where our contributions most matter, and where divides most melt.
Reposted by Social Life Project
“Through Placemaking, we can create natural, easy, organic ways for people to be in each other's presence and remind them that life is defined by genuine moments and real-life interactions and relationships, not by labels, online groups, and angry rhetoric.”
Division is the Crisis of Our Times - Connecting in Public Places is How We Heal www.sociallifeproject.org/division-is-... by #FredKent, #KathyMadden & @drtpanova.bsky.social
#PublicSpace #Placemaking @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
#PublicSpace #Placemaking @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
Division is the Crisis of Our Times - Connecting in Public Places is How We Heal
Places where people can come together in real life are essential to being able to reconnect with each other and heal our divides.
www.sociallifeproject.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:50 PM
“Through Placemaking, we can create natural, easy, organic ways for people to be in each other's presence and remind them that life is defined by genuine moments and real-life interactions and relationships, not by labels, online groups, and angry rhetoric.”
Reposted by Social Life Project
Social Life for All: Places Where Seniors Thrive.
Fred Kent 'A great city is one that is designed for everyone. All people equally deserve to enjoy their city and what it has to offer.'
It must be good for the 8 and for the 80 year old. Equity.
Great photos: bit.ly/3FZHd6a
Fred Kent 'A great city is one that is designed for everyone. All people equally deserve to enjoy their city and what it has to offer.'
It must be good for the 8 and for the 80 year old. Equity.
Great photos: bit.ly/3FZHd6a
June 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Social Life for All: Places Where Seniors Thrive.
Fred Kent 'A great city is one that is designed for everyone. All people equally deserve to enjoy their city and what it has to offer.'
It must be good for the 8 and for the 80 year old. Equity.
Great photos: bit.ly/3FZHd6a
Fred Kent 'A great city is one that is designed for everyone. All people equally deserve to enjoy their city and what it has to offer.'
It must be good for the 8 and for the 80 year old. Equity.
Great photos: bit.ly/3FZHd6a
Reposted by Social Life Project
#ICUH25 is just around the corner!
Join us in Wellington (17–21 Nov) for powerful plenaries on placemaking, ageing & wellbeing — with Steve Davies @ppsplacemaking.bsky.social, Emi Kiyota & Kaye-Maree Dunn!
Learn more about the program & register for the conference: icuh2025.org
#UrbanHealth
Join us in Wellington (17–21 Nov) for powerful plenaries on placemaking, ageing & wellbeing — with Steve Davies @ppsplacemaking.bsky.social, Emi Kiyota & Kaye-Maree Dunn!
Learn more about the program & register for the conference: icuh2025.org
#UrbanHealth
October 30, 2025 at 3:35 PM
#ICUH25 is just around the corner!
Join us in Wellington (17–21 Nov) for powerful plenaries on placemaking, ageing & wellbeing — with Steve Davies @ppsplacemaking.bsky.social, Emi Kiyota & Kaye-Maree Dunn!
Learn more about the program & register for the conference: icuh2025.org
#UrbanHealth
Join us in Wellington (17–21 Nov) for powerful plenaries on placemaking, ageing & wellbeing — with Steve Davies @ppsplacemaking.bsky.social, Emi Kiyota & Kaye-Maree Dunn!
Learn more about the program & register for the conference: icuh2025.org
#UrbanHealth
Division is the Crisis of Our Times - Connecting in Public Places is How We Heal www.sociallifeproject.org/division-is-... by #FredKent, #KathyMadden & @drtpanova.bsky.social
#PublicSpace #Placemaking @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
#PublicSpace #Placemaking @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
Division is the Crisis of Our Times - Connecting in Public Places is How We Heal
Places where people can come together in real life are essential to being able to reconnect with each other and heal our divides.
www.sociallifeproject.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Division is the Crisis of Our Times - Connecting in Public Places is How We Heal www.sociallifeproject.org/division-is-... by #FredKent, #KathyMadden & @drtpanova.bsky.social
#PublicSpace #Placemaking @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
#PublicSpace #Placemaking @placemakingx.bsky.social @placemaking-canada.bsky.social
Reposted by Social Life Project
Kathleen A. Madden (1947-2025)
I am saddened by the passing of Kathy Madden, a pioneer in the field of placemaking and co-founder of Project for Public Spaces.
I had the opportunity to meet Kathy at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit in 2023. She will be missed.
https://loom.ly/qWxC_VM
I am saddened by the passing of Kathy Madden, a pioneer in the field of placemaking and co-founder of Project for Public Spaces.
I had the opportunity to meet Kathy at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit in 2023. She will be missed.
https://loom.ly/qWxC_VM
October 22, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Kathleen A. Madden (1947-2025)
I am saddened by the passing of Kathy Madden, a pioneer in the field of placemaking and co-founder of Project for Public Spaces.
I had the opportunity to meet Kathy at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit in 2023. She will be missed.
https://loom.ly/qWxC_VM
I am saddened by the passing of Kathy Madden, a pioneer in the field of placemaking and co-founder of Project for Public Spaces.
I had the opportunity to meet Kathy at the Better Cities Film Festival in Detroit in 2023. She will be missed.
https://loom.ly/qWxC_VM
Reposted by Social Life Project
Cracolândia: Nunca é expulsar, mas atrair, diz Ethan Kent
Nunca é expulsar, mas atrair outros grupos, diz ativista de transformações em Nova York sobre cracolândias
Em São Paulo, Ethan Kent discutiu como ambientes urbanos acolhedores podem combater apropriações negativas do espaço público
www1.folha.uol.com.br
June 2, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Cracolândia: Nunca é expulsar, mas atrair, diz Ethan Kent
Reposted by Social Life Project
We are saddened to share news that Kathleen A. Madden, co-founder of PPS, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025. Kathy was a pioneering leader in the global placemaking movement. Read more: 🔗 www.sociallifeproject.org/kathleen-a-m... @sociallifeproject.bsky.social @placemakingx.bsky.social
Kathleen A. Madden (1947-2025)
Kathleen (“Kathy”) A. Madden, a prominent urban public spaces expert and placemaking leader, died on October 20, 2025, at her home in Brooklyn following a brief hospitalization.
www.sociallifeproject.org
October 22, 2025 at 11:20 AM
We are saddened to share news that Kathleen A. Madden, co-founder of PPS, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025. Kathy was a pioneering leader in the global placemaking movement. Read more: 🔗 www.sociallifeproject.org/kathleen-a-m... @sociallifeproject.bsky.social @placemakingx.bsky.social
Reposted by Social Life Project
Our thoughts go out to Kathy’s family, friends and colleagues.
For more on Kathy’s legacy, please visit the Social Life Project: tinyurl.com/5d7e89tx
For more on Kathy’s legacy, please visit the Social Life Project: tinyurl.com/5d7e89tx
Kathleen A. Madden (1947-2025)
Kathleen (“Kathy”) A. Madden, a prominent urban public spaces expert and placemaking leader, died on October 20, 2025, at her home in Brooklyn following a brief hospitalization.
tinyurl.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Our thoughts go out to Kathy’s family, friends and colleagues.
For more on Kathy’s legacy, please visit the Social Life Project: tinyurl.com/5d7e89tx
For more on Kathy’s legacy, please visit the Social Life Project: tinyurl.com/5d7e89tx
Reposted by Social Life Project
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.
October 21, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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.
Yesterday we lost our beloved co-founder Kathy Madden. She remains the inspiration for this work, that we commit to continuing!
Please read here about her and her life’s work:
www.sociallifeproject.org/kathleen-a-m...
Please read here about her and her life’s work:
www.sociallifeproject.org/kathleen-a-m...
Kathleen A. Madden (1947-2025)
Kathleen (“Kathy”) A. Madden, a prominent urban public spaces expert and placemaking leader, died on October 20, 2025, at her home in Brooklyn following a brief hospitalization.
www.sociallifeproject.org
October 21, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Yesterday we lost our beloved co-founder Kathy Madden. She remains the inspiration for this work, that we commit to continuing!
Please read here about her and her life’s work:
www.sociallifeproject.org/kathleen-a-m...
Please read here about her and her life’s work:
www.sociallifeproject.org/kathleen-a-m...
Reposted by Social Life Project
"Public spaces that actively include people are an antidote to politics that exclude people." @ethankent.bsky.social www.linkedin.com/pulse/progre...
Progress In the Places People Love Will Persevere
How MAGA Could Be Helping to Bring About the Future They Most Fear(But Shouldn’t) America’s story of progress has been driven by people and places building each-other up. That progress, though under a...
www.linkedin.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"Public spaces that actively include people are an antidote to politics that exclude people." @ethankent.bsky.social www.linkedin.com/pulse/progre...
Reposted by Social Life Project
Unfortunately in NYC it is the design community. Though well intentioned and progressive, they limit the affordability, informality and community defined uses of the city, perpetuating car-oriented and culturally exclusionary spaces. Ultimately they are limiting their own demand and creativity.
October 15, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Unfortunately in NYC it is the design community. Though well intentioned and progressive, they limit the affordability, informality and community defined uses of the city, perpetuating car-oriented and culturally exclusionary spaces. Ultimately they are limiting their own demand and creativity.
Reposted by Social Life Project
The draft report from the 2nd Global Placemaking Summit, held in Toronto this past June, is now live. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Big props to the local organizing committee and @placemakingx.bsky.social for the collaborative effort!
Big props to the local organizing committee and @placemakingx.bsky.social for the collaborative effort!
In coordination with @placemaking-canada.bsky.social we are pleased to share a draft report of the 2nd #GlobalPlacemakingSummit:
www.placemakingx.org/summit25
www.placemakingx.org/summit25
Home | Global Placemaking Summit
The Global Placemaking Summit brings together Placemaking leaders worldwide to shape the agendas of the movement going forward. The summit will be June 8–11, 2025, in Tkaronto-Toronto, Canada.
www.placemakingx.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:42 AM
The draft report from the 2nd Global Placemaking Summit, held in Toronto this past June, is now live. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Big props to the local organizing committee and @placemakingx.bsky.social for the collaborative effort!
Big props to the local organizing committee and @placemakingx.bsky.social for the collaborative effort!
Reposted by Social Life Project
How MAGA Could Be Helping to Bring About the Future They Most Fear(But Shouldn’t) by Ethan Kent, Executive Director, PlacemakingX
www.linkedin.com/pulse/progre...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/progre...
Progress In the Places People Love Will Persevere
How MAGA Could Be Helping to Bring About the Future They Most Fear(But Shouldn’t) America’s story of progress is through people and places building each-other up. That progress, though under attack, w...
www.linkedin.com
November 15, 2024 at 12:05 PM
How MAGA Could Be Helping to Bring About the Future They Most Fear(But Shouldn’t) by Ethan Kent, Executive Director, PlacemakingX
www.linkedin.com/pulse/progre...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/progre...
Reposted by Social Life Project
Extensive, rigorous study finds that if communities are more walkable, people will walk more.
No s%*t Sherlock!
As Fred Kent says “If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places.”
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
No s%*t Sherlock!
As Fred Kent says “If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places.”
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Countrywide natural experiment links built environment to physical activity - Nature
By analysing the smartphone data of 2,112,288 participants, in particular observing and comparing the activity of the same individual in two different environments, we find that increases in the walka...
www.nature.com
August 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Extensive, rigorous study finds that if communities are more walkable, people will walk more.
No s%*t Sherlock!
As Fred Kent says “If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places.”
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
No s%*t Sherlock!
As Fred Kent says “If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places.”
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Social Life Project
In coordination with @placemaking-canada.bsky.social we are pleased to share a draft report of the 2nd #GlobalPlacemakingSummit:
www.placemakingx.org/summit25
www.placemakingx.org/summit25
Home | Global Placemaking Summit
The Global Placemaking Summit brings together Placemaking leaders worldwide to shape the agendas of the movement going forward. The summit will be June 8–11, 2025, in Tkaronto-Toronto, Canada.
www.placemakingx.org
October 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
In coordination with @placemaking-canada.bsky.social we are pleased to share a draft report of the 2nd #GlobalPlacemakingSummit:
www.placemakingx.org/summit25
www.placemakingx.org/summit25
Reposted by Social Life Project
"Cities succeed or fail at the human scale—the place scale—and this scale is often overlooked.”
www.powerofpublicspaces.org.au/event/speake...
#PowerOfPublicSpace #Placemaking
@placemakingx.bsky.social
www.powerofpublicspaces.org.au/event/speake...
#PowerOfPublicSpace #Placemaking
@placemakingx.bsky.social
Speaker Series: Ethan Kent Collaboratory- a masterclass in collaboration and capacity building - Power of Public Spaces
Past Event Speaker Series: Ethan Kent Collaboratory - a masterclass in collaboration and capacity building What does it take to 'make the spaces we live, the places we love'? This is a question Ethan ...
www.powerofpublicspaces.org.au
October 9, 2025 at 1:57 AM
"Cities succeed or fail at the human scale—the place scale—and this scale is often overlooked.”
www.powerofpublicspaces.org.au/event/speake...
#PowerOfPublicSpace #Placemaking
@placemakingx.bsky.social
www.powerofpublicspaces.org.au/event/speake...
#PowerOfPublicSpace #Placemaking
@placemakingx.bsky.social
Reposted by Social Life Project
“#PublicSpace and #placemaking are tools to break down silos, foster collaboration, and drive innovation at the intersections of movements.” @ethankent.bsky.social
interviewed by Päivi Raivio of #PlacemakingFinland, #NordicPlacemaking and #PlacemakingEurope: parkly.city/interview_et...
interviewed by Päivi Raivio of #PlacemakingFinland, #NordicPlacemaking and #PlacemakingEurope: parkly.city/interview_et...
"Shared public spaces can bridge divides, unite communities, and serve as platforms for a more inclusive future." - Parkly
Step into the world of placemaking and inclusive cities with Ethan Kent, one of the leading voices shaping the movement.
parkly.city
October 7, 2025 at 10:58 AM
“#PublicSpace and #placemaking are tools to break down silos, foster collaboration, and drive innovation at the intersections of movements.” @ethankent.bsky.social
interviewed by Päivi Raivio of #PlacemakingFinland, #NordicPlacemaking and #PlacemakingEurope: parkly.city/interview_et...
interviewed by Päivi Raivio of #PlacemakingFinland, #NordicPlacemaking and #PlacemakingEurope: parkly.city/interview_et...
Reposted by Social Life Project
Got to visit the Bronx #NewRootsCommunityFarm for their Harvest Festival. Part of Aley Kent’s national #NewRootsIRC program at International Rescue Committee.
An inspiring example of connecting #RefugeePlacemaking, #UrbanAgriculture & #PublicMarkets.
#RefugeesWelcome #LocalFood #PlacemakingNYC
An inspiring example of connecting #RefugeePlacemaking, #UrbanAgriculture & #PublicMarkets.
#RefugeesWelcome #LocalFood #PlacemakingNYC
October 4, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Got to visit the Bronx #NewRootsCommunityFarm for their Harvest Festival. Part of Aley Kent’s national #NewRootsIRC program at International Rescue Committee.
An inspiring example of connecting #RefugeePlacemaking, #UrbanAgriculture & #PublicMarkets.
#RefugeesWelcome #LocalFood #PlacemakingNYC
An inspiring example of connecting #RefugeePlacemaking, #UrbanAgriculture & #PublicMarkets.
#RefugeesWelcome #LocalFood #PlacemakingNYC
Reposted by Social Life Project
Very exciting! The seminal 1980 documentary "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" by William H. "Holly" Whyte has been RESTORED and screening in NYC this week!
I wanted to honor his work and used his words in the companion book and produced this 11 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2v...
I wanted to honor his work and used his words in the companion book and produced this 11 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2v...
William “Holly” Whyte in His Own Words, “The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces” (1980)
YouTube video by Streetfilms®
www.youtube.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Very exciting! The seminal 1980 documentary "The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" by William H. "Holly" Whyte has been RESTORED and screening in NYC this week!
I wanted to honor his work and used his words in the companion book and produced this 11 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2v...
I wanted to honor his work and used his words in the companion book and produced this 11 years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU2v...
Reposted by Social Life Project
Usually Vienna’s City Hall Plaza is wonderfully programmed. Currently it is a car show!
Cars are effectively privatizing and protesting the civic and pedestrian use of public space. This should be protested!
#PlacemakingAustria #PlacemakingEurope
Cars are effectively privatizing and protesting the civic and pedestrian use of public space. This should be protested!
#PlacemakingAustria #PlacemakingEurope
September 27, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Usually Vienna’s City Hall Plaza is wonderfully programmed. Currently it is a car show!
Cars are effectively privatizing and protesting the civic and pedestrian use of public space. This should be protested!
#PlacemakingAustria #PlacemakingEurope
Cars are effectively privatizing and protesting the civic and pedestrian use of public space. This should be protested!
#PlacemakingAustria #PlacemakingEurope