Placemaking Week 2024

We will convene three projects in a discussion with Placemaking Canada illustrating how “make due” urbanism and grassroots placemaking build “quick-win” solutions and create positive social impacts like building social capital, deepening community connections, and activating public space in peri-urban areas. Toronto, Canada’s largest cities, is one of the loneliest. The exacerbation of existing socio-economic and systemic challenges contribute to a decrease in support for marginalized communities, and downward trending civic participation. Instead of relying on failing city budgets and services, citizens, designers, and grassroots organizations have stepped up as leaders to support each other with community-centred solutions. These projects showcase how equitable, collaborative and community-led co-creation empowers communities to build their own spaces that support the development of social infrastructure through learning, playing and gathering. Explore three Toronto placemaking projects that decenter the urban core in favour of the periphery and connect underserved communities to accessible and joyful public spaces.