Talking Placemaking with Fred Kent

Michelle Bruch talks with placemaking expert Fred Kent about the makeover he helped orchestrate of Detroit's Campus Martius Park.

1 minute read

October 24, 2011, 7:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

Campus Martius Park did very well in Planetizen's recent survey to list the Top 100 Public Spaces in the U.S. and Canada, a collaboration with Project for Public Spaces (of which Kent is president). Kent says the poor economy is actually helping drive placemaking:

"In a way, the economy is helping us," Kent says. "People know they can't do big expensive projects, and instead they're doing a lot of little ones. There has been an explosion of interest because of that."

Bruch writes:

"Kent says the key to creating good public spaces is making people feel comfortable."

FULL STORY: What works in cities: Why placemaking requires passion even more than big budgets

Sunday, October 23, 2011 in YongeStreet

Urban Development Michigan Public Spaces Detroit Fred Kent Campus Martius Park View More

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