PlacemakingUS is a regional network organized in coordination with our global partner PlacemakingX and sister networks in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Australia, Canada and beyond.
I love this so much. Porch memories are flooding my mind. My Grandmother had a boarding house in Lafayette, Indiana. It sat at the main intersection of the small Black community. It was couched between Al's Bar B Q Tavern and the Baptist Church. As children, we spent Friday nights in her yard while the adults sat on the porch and shared stories from the past and present experiences as well as visions and plans for a brighter future. We would often pretend like we were playing while we tipped close enough to overhear "grown folks" conversations. Everyone that passed by waved and spoke or stopped to have a glass of iced tea and high spirited conversation.
We are fans of Tina Govan over here and now Jaime Izurietta. Great conversation and insights! “Unleash the Small Scale and Empower It! If they would allow a range of things to happen on mobile carts throughout the city, that would open up all kinds of possibilities for people.” (Beyond Hot Dog Carts, Tina Govan) & “What are the barriers that we have put in place that forbid people from using their creativity to start something? That requires cities to give up some control of the public space.” (Embrace the necessary chaos of people being allowed to sell things other than hot dogs, Jaime Izurietta). We are so terrible at small scale entrepreneurship and small freedoms of place and quality of life in cities...sigh!
Latino Urbanism and Spatial Justice . Besides ICE, most Latinos fear code enforcement. From illegal garage conversions, to street vending, the Latino use, design, and creation of space, that help them survive, is challenged through existing codes. Through the Plaza Talk on Race and Space panelist shared these experiences and case studies from across the US. They illustrated historical, social, and philosophical differences of Latinx space that challenge existing planning, funding, and social practices. As well as provide innovative opportunities.
