Everyone deserves to live, work, and play in beautiful places.
Explore these case studies to learn how communities of all sizes and geographies are embracing and enhancing the qualities that make them unique through innovative placemaking projects.
Placemaking in Greater Chicago
From pop-up retail to reclaimed gravel quarries, creative placemaking projects abound in and around Chicago.
Knoxville's Tree Mitigation Bank
Developers can now pay into a fund to plant trees when their own projects can't support them.
Reclaiming Green Space in Pittsburgh
Scenic Pittsburgh is turning unwanted parcels of land into public greenspace.
Saving Snickersville Turnpike
Community activists saved a historic Virginia road and bridge from redevelopment, preserving a piece of their history.
More Placemaking Case Studies
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Placemaking spotlight: Edwardsville, IllinoisEdwardsville, Illinois, shows how scenic byways, green space, and thoughtful planning can create a distinct… -
Placemaking spotlight: Durango, ColoradoDurango, Colorado, shows how smart growth, land conservation, and community engagement can protect scenic landscapes while supporting vibrant communities. -
Placemaking spotlight: Bennington, VermontBennington, Vermont, demonstrates how community‑driven placemaking, historic preservation, and public‑private partnerships can create a vibrant community. -
Placemaking spotlight: Athens, GeorgiaAthens, Georgia, blends historic preservation, arts, and community spaces to create a vibrant and enduring model of placemaking.
Creating Communities of Character
When a chain store moves into town, it often brings a sense of “Anyplace, USA,” detracting from the community’s unique characteristics. Communities can preserve their sense of place by negotiating with national retailers, using tools such as design standards, corridor overlays, form-based codes, and design review.
Better Commercial Development
View examples of national retailers that have worked with the community on designs that better align with their unique sense of place.
Adaptive Reuse
Giving old buildings fresh, new purposes helps preserve a community’s unique character while also making responsible use of existing structures.
More Placemaking Resources
The Congress for New Urbanism’s searchable database showcases hundreds of placemaking projects, which you can filter by location, type, year, and other features. Here are a few examples of noteworthy projects.