Community Placemakers Summer 2023
Community Placemakers 2023
In the Summer of 2023, three separate communities participated in a three part series hosted by CDLI, titled Community Placemakers! Placemakers is when community members identify and create meaningful connections in and around their neighbourhood. Community members create and/or strengthen meaningful connections with each other and a sense of place to build community. The communities were Glenbrook, Calgary Marlborough and Loughheed House in the Beltline.
What is Placemaking?
A community-driven process that works to strengthen the connection between community members and the places where they gather. A bottom-up approach that builds on local community assets and shifts residents from being passive visitors in a space to active co-creators of a place. A practice that uses the art of observation, listening and asking questions to better understand the needs and aspirations of a community, while also highlighting the physical, cultural, and social identities that define a place.
Overall participants had the opportunity with Community Placemakers to
Engage and leave with an asset map of the neighbourhood that notes opportunities for the future
Deepen understanding of community development theories and practices to help community engagement efforts
Identify ways to deepen connections with neighbours
Calgary Marlborough
Loughheed House
Partnering with Community Social Worker, Lemlem Haile and Ammar Musharaf with the City of Calgary. Together with several neighbourhood residents we toured the neighbourhood to identify areas that children and families could gather. There are a variety of underused areas in Marlborough that are worth exploring. Tennis courts (volunteer Instructors supported skill development), Basketball courts and other playgrounds in the area. The following week we did a placemaking activity where neighbours responded to what they liked about living in Marlbrough by painting it on tiles. Neighbours were encouraged to leave tiles in and around the neighbourhood to inspire others! Exploring your neighbourhood with intention to find new (or familiar) ways of connecting was a highlight for many who participated!
The Loughheed House is a heritage home that is now a museum, in the downtown neighbourhood of Beltline. Since 2019, the caretakers of the site have been going through a process called Loughheed House Re-Imagined. We were excited to support their efforts to consider how to build community with other groups, residents and organizations in the Beltline.
The property surrounding ‘The House’ is utilized by residents whether to enjoy the beautiful flower beds, Dog park or Garden. It can be considered the ‘living room’ of the Beltline. Identifying ways to partner, learn and support ways community can participate in the new reimagined possibilities of this historical site. Understanding how traditional museums can and should play a new role in community is a challenge, but Loughheed House is up for it!
Glenbrook
An active resident of the SW community of Glenbrook reached out to identify ways to increase engagement in the neighbourhood. Check out the asset map here. We had two separate explorations of the neighbourhood. Reflecting on ways that the community can connect deeper. This meant looking at parks, churches, commercial establishments to identify connection. Glenbrook is a neighbourhood full of Newcomer populations, and one of the highest percentage of Renters in Calgary, we looked at what it would mean to connect them!
Look at the space! This green space has ample opportunity to activate whether that be with some benches, tables, games! The possibilities are endless.
Asset Map
Community Conversation: Placemaking in Action
On September 26, at the Loughheed House, CDLI hosted a community conversation on placemaking! We had a community-minded panel who spoke to the purpose, challenges and opportunities of placemaking.
Adam a life-long Placemakers who leads ActivateYYC a community-based granting program facilitated by the Federation of Calgary Communities . Adam, says to fund placemaking projects it should “cheap and cheerful, action oriented and in the interest of the community. For Adam it’s an excuse to connect.
Ali a proclaimed urban alchemist, encouraged the guests to watch ‘Beware of group of dedicated amateurs”. This short documentary inspired her to get involved in her neighbourhood of Bridgeland. For Ali in her experience was to start
Start incrementally - start small!
Find the unusual partners - who can help?
Embrace the haters - Not everyone will like what you’re doing
Placemaking according to Ali is a principle of “Interruption, disruption and people can just do the things’.
Allison is leading Reimagined Loughheed House and one of the ways is understanding the colonial ties of ‘The House’. Placemaking Is about taking up space, being aware and actively acknowledging land is vital. Allison supported a Tipi raising on the grounds of the Loughheed House. Click here for more information!
Ryan is a creative professional that works for the Beltline Neighbourrhood Association. Ryan describes placemaking, “it’s slippery, there aren’t really concise words for describing it.” The possibilities with placemaking are endless. It can be about creativity, defining new spaces to connect that are accessible. Reclaiming old spaces that develop new memories. Placemaking can be part of a a more equitable future!
Thank you to everyone who participated in Community Placemakers!
