Urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs famously said: “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”
While not an urban planner by training, Jacobs is considered a trailblazer in the field and was a firm believer in the importance of local residents having input on how their neighborhoods develop. Decades later, Jacobs' insights are still relevant. Places are not just created by architects, engineers, and urban planners. We've come to understand that cities and their residents engage in an active, symbiotic relationship - we create places and, in turn, those places create and sustain us, both in visible and invisible ways. Today, this process is often referred to as placemaking.
Effective placemaking can bring people together, create a more equitable society, and foster economic development. And yet the process for creating and keeping a sense of place remains a challenge for most urban centers, including Cleveland. Why? How can we create places that are equitable and reflect our diverse community? And how can residents take action in their own neighborhoods?
Erin Barnes
Co-Founder and Executive Director, ioby
