Project for Public Spaces

🏃♀️ 🚲 Are you in the active transportation field? Our friends at the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) is looking for proposals for its virtual summit! Submit by May 27th!

31 days away from IPMC! 🎉 As we count down to the 12th International Public Markets Conference with Project for Public Spaces, we’re spotlighting programming we’re especially excited about. Today’s feature: Hunger Task Force 🥕🚌 A longtime leader in Milwaukee’s food access ecosystem 🌾 Mobile Workshop #9 – Learn how their 200-acre farm and Mobile Market bring fresh, affordable food directly to Milwaukee neighborhoods. 🚜 A featured stop on Tour #4: Urban Farming & Milwaukee Markets Passionate about food equity, placemaking, or markets? This programming is for you. ➡️ You can register to attend opening day on June 12, which includes acess to the opening plenary, a mobile workshop of your choosing, and the opening party at Milwaukee Public Market 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gv_S6-MN or register to attend all three days of the conference! A special thanks to our conference partners at Hunger Task Force: Sarah Bressler, Jonathan Hansen and Rick Lewandowski.

Public markets have a transformative influence in shaping active, inclusive urban spaces and that's why the theme of #PublicMarkets25—#𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆—will serve as a call to action to recognize the potential of markets of all sizes and types. At the conference, attendees will explore exemplary public markets, including: Sherman Phoenix Marketplace: A state-of-the-art space achieving equitable economic impact by supporting small business owners of color with an incubator space that supports over 50 local entrepreneurs showcasing their services, merchandise, and culinary items. 📷 Visit Milwaukee Fondy Farmers Market: One of the city’s most diverse farmers markets. Through its Farm Project, the market supports a local community of primarily Hmong American farmers with land access to preserve farming heritage. 📷 Milwaukee Public Market Milwaukee Public Market: Our #PublicMarkets25 co-host and USA Today’s #1 Public Market for two years in a row! MPM centers its programming on community well-being through robust public events and offerings like free pickleball and concert series that activate the Riverwalk Commons across the street. 📷 Eric Halverson Milwaukee Night Market: A seasonal market by Westown Association of Milwaukee, Inc. that transforms the downtown neighborhood into a safe, fun, and collaborative space for all with local food vendors, artists, and musicians. The Market kicks off on June 11th, the evening before the conference! During a workshop, learn more about how its placemaking initiatives have driven community engagement and a ripple effect of economic activity in the surrounding area. 📷 Visit Milwaukee We’re excited to see these markets and many more in person at #PublicMarkets25! It’s not too late to sign up, but hurry—𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟭:𝟱𝟵𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eaXJk4m9 #MarketCities

There's money out there and we're going to talk about how to find it. If you’re running a public market, you already know: these places do so much more than sell produce. They feed, employ, connect, and anchor communities. But funding that impact? That’s one of the hardest parts. I’m excited to share that I’ll be speaking at the International Public Markets Conference on a panel called: “There’s Money Out There! Conventional and Unconventional Ways Indoor Markets are Raising Funds.” I help nonprofit leaders, including those running complex, place-based orgs like public markets, build and execute fundraising systems that actually support their mission without burning them out. Because crossing your fingers that your budget will be met isn’t a strategy. During the panel, I’ll share: 🛠️ Practical systems that help you scale without sacrifice 💡 Smart ways to create a fully-funded budget positioned for growth 📣 How to deepen trust with folks who have capacity to make transformational gifts ⁉️ Answers to the questions keeping you up at night If you're attending #PublicMarkets25, I’d love to connect. And if you’re not, but your market is ready to stop surviving and start scaling? Let’s talk - send a DM or drop a comment below!

35 days away from IPMC! We’re counting down to the 12th International Public Markets Conference (Brought to Milwaukee by Project for Public Spaces) by highlighting some of the programming we’re most excited about 🎉 Today’s spotlight: Milwaukee Night Market 🌙✨ 📅 On Wednesday, June 11, conference attendees will get to experience this vibrant, open-air market in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. 🤝 Behind the scenes, Westown Association will host Mobile Workshop #10, offering a deep dive into the planning, partnerships, and community engagement that power one of the city’s most beloved events. You don’t have to be a public market professional to attend. If you’re passionate about cities, placemaking, or community-driven events, this is for you. ➡️ Opening day on June 12 is a great option for all urban enthusiasts — enjoy a celebratory plenary, your choice of mobile workshop, and a festive opening party at Milwaukee Public Market: https://lnkd.in/gv_S6-MN ➡️ Or go all in and register for the full conference to explore everything Milwaukee and the global public markets community have to offer: https://lnkd.in/gQ7D8DBS A special thanks to our partners at Westown Association: Stacie Callies and Megan Kujawa. 📸 @Nat Vomhof

We’re just 36 days away from Project for Public Spaces’ 12th International Public Markets Conference (co-hosted by yours truly!), and we’re counting down by spotlighting some of the programming we’re most excited about. First up, mobile workshop #2 from The Kubala Washatko Architects (TKWA) where a attendees will be guided through the design stories behind three distinct Milwaukee markets, each shaped by their firm’s thoughtful approach to placemaking:📍 Milwaukee Public Market 📍 Third Street Market Hall and📍 Zócalo Food Truck Park. Whether you’re a market operator, urban planner, architect, or just someone who loves learning about great city spaces, this is a powerful way to see how design shapes experience. Not registered yet? Here are options for joining us in Milwaukee: Register to attend the full conference ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gQ7D8DBS Or register to attend opening day to experience a celebratory opening plenary, your choice of mobile workshop and a festive opening party at Milwaukee Public Market. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gv_S6-MN A special thanks to our partners at TKWA: Wayne Reckard and Chris Socha

I remember the the "aha" moment the first time I read Project for Public Spaces' 11 principles for creating great community places, long before I started working here. They affirmed some of my core values about local democracy, human-centered design, and getting things done, but more importantly, they gave me courage and language to express those beliefs publicly. One of the greatest gifts of our founders, Fred Kent, Kathy Madden, and Steve Davies is their ability to translate years of public space observation and placemaking practice into sticky ideas that feel like common sense and touch people's souls. So it was an honor—and a lot of fun—to work with them on this new article that tells the origin story of their 11 principles for our 50th anniversary. https://lnkd.in/ebXQWyJi Also, big shoutouts to Anne Tan-Detchkov for her editing skills and to Josh Kent who dug through the PPS archives to find some never-before-seen film reels and vintage photos to help tell the story! #Placemaking #publicspace #parks #streets #community #ppsat50 #tacticalurbanism

🕰️ From our archives! In the '80s, photographer Scott McKiernan was building his corporate portfolio and our Co-Founders, Kathy Madden, Steve Davies, and Fred Kent (left to right) agreed to "pose" as architects. "This is the first and last time we attempted this feat," Steve Davies humorously recalled. See this and many other treasured photos and videos as part of our latest article, "𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀," written by none other than our co-founders! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gNP5Qe4m Learn about how their work evolved into broadly applicable principles, culminating in the 𝟭𝟭 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀. As we mark our 50th anniversary, we're reflecting on these enduring values that continue to shape public spaces today! #PPSturns50 Social Life Project

‼️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♂️Regular registration for #PublicMarkets25 closes TOMORROW, Thursday, May 1st at 11:59pm ET! Starting May 2nd, ticket prices will go up to a late rate 😱—so don't wait! Spots for each workshop and tour are also limited, and our hotel blocks are first-come, first-served. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e8fRp6cX Project for Public Spaces and Milwaukee Public Market—just named Best Public Market by USA Today for the second year in a row!—are bringing the 12th International Public Markets Conference to Milwaukee, WI, USA, on June 12-14, 2025! Over three days, delve into the forefront of market practices in the Culinary Capital of the Midwest. Gathering in a range of venues around Milwaukee’s Third Ward, attendees will engage in an opening plenary, interactive panels and discussions, networking and social events, guided tours, and offsite workshops. Attendees will also wander to locations around the region that showcase the diverse markets, historic districts, farms, parks, trails, and more, highlighting innovative practices and exemplary models in action.

After more than a year online, The Place Man—my first documentary film—has surpassed 100,000 views across YouTube and Vimeo. 77.4% of viewers are women, and the film has reached audiences in 35 countries, with the U.S., Australia, India, the Netherlands, and the UK leading the way. The documentary continues to serve as a strong entry point for placemaking conversations, workshops, and conferences around the world. Revisit the origins of the #placemaking movement by watching it again: https://lnkd.in/dU8miH_f Fred Kent, Steve Davies, Ethan Kent, Project for Public Spaces, PlacemakingX, Social Life Project, Placemaking Europe, Placemaking India.