A "best practices guide for those wishing to improve the economic, environmental and social health of their communities through the power of successful public space," is how Mackenzie Keast describes the intended application of the new publication [PDF] out from PPS. Produced under the auspices of the UN-HABITAT Sustainable Urban Development Network (SUD-Net), Placemaking and the Future of Cities outlines 10 best practices for successful public space projects and incorporates case studies "describing the impact of the Placemaking process in nearly a dozen cities throughout the Global South." Practices include: improving streets as public spaces, building local economies through markets, and linking public health agendas to public space agendas.
Although oriented towards the challenges of creating and sustaining public spaces in the developing world, the practices outlined in the draft handbook would serve anyone looking to build inclusive, healthy, functional, and productive cities.
