Candy Chang is using public art installations to spark community involvement and input on land use.
Candy Chang is using stickers, post-it notes and other low cost materials as public art displays in places that are in need of renovation or a face-lift. The sticker and post-its have a phrase or question on them, "I wish this was______" or "Before I Die______." She's placed them on blighted buildings from New Orleans to Fairbanks and let anyone fill in the blank.
"It's all fantasy, of course, and everyone knows it. But it gets people thinking about what their dream city would look like, and it probably gets them talking. Common desires start to emerge -- bike shops, art, affordable fresh food. The project lets people call out for others to take an interest in the city, and it makes them take an interest too."
A public art project that also creates public participation in community visioning is a fresh spin on citizen input.
Thanks to Cathie Pagano
Read the full story: Move over, Banksy: Candy Chang’s art might actually save the world
Community Engagement Highlights from APA 2016
As I do every year at the APA National Conference, I did my best to catch as many community engagement sessions as possible. Here are highlights, takeaways, and the common threads I noticed this year.
10 Lessons in More Engaging Citizen Engagement
With cities seeking to involve diverse voices in city-making to get beyond “the usual suspects,” Vancouver urbanists Brent Toderian and Jillian Glover examine how cities in their region are finding new ways to increase civic participation.
Vallejo Approves First City-Wide Participatory Budgeting Process in US
The City Council of Vallejo, California, approved the first city-wide Participatory Budgeting process in the US this week. Residents will directly decide how to spend around $3 million from new sales tax revenue.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Data reveals that NYC’s bet on congestion pricing has paid off
After almost two years of the program, reports show positive impacts on traffic and air quality and no disruptions to parking.
Denver is solving homelessness. Why aren't the rest of us?
Since 2023, Denver's street homeless population has decreased by 64%, proving that effective tools exist to support those in need of housing.
Michigan needs billions to save its water infrastructure. The state won't fund it
Michigan needs to invest $2.8 billion per year over the next 20 years to fix its water infrastructure. The FY 2027 budget allocates only $27.9 million.
Trump asks Supreme Court to allow border wall through Texas national park
Judge Kathleen Cardone previously blocked the Big Bend border wall project, and Texas’ Land Commissioner has spoken out against it as well.
This MA town is drowning in its own sewage — and residents like it that way
Susan Murcott, a waste water expert, said if Carlisle didn't address their leaking sewage, the problem could turn “deadly.”
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority