Placemaking is a term we often hear in RFPs and conversations about community improvement. What we’ve come to realize is that sometimes “placemaking” is just as much about “place keeping” when it comes to respecting and highlighting the history and culture of cities and towns.
That’s why our approach to community planning always prioritizes what we can learn from the community. Learning the cultural significance – what’s near and dear to the heart of the community helps us ensure that we not only support but elevate those things for which the area is identified and valued. New spaces bring features and amenities – be it gathering spaces for celebrations or public art that captures the essence and tells the story of the area, or even as simple as updating landscaping and beautification of spaces so that we create spaces that celebrate these aspects of the community.
Sizemore Group Director of Planning Deanna Murphy, AICP utilizes her background in architecture and city planning to capture the spirit of places. Her extensive experience working with communities on master planning has transformed small and large spaces into assets the community can embrace. The City of Fairburn, for example, had underutilized spaces that Sizemore Group identified as opportunities for connection. An alleyway connecting parking to the historic theater in downtown, across from city hall, provided such an opportunity for transformation.
Sizemore Group recommended converting the space with art capturing the essence of the local history of the local theater – a history of showing plays that break the mold, push social themes and bring context that makes people think. Transforming into a usable space with lighting, art along the walls and ground, and opportunities to set up tables for events offer reuse of underutilized space with a connection back to the historic relevance of the area.
We are particularly proud of our work on the Henry County Bus Stops Creative Placemaking Plan, in which we are to engaging artists and community members to highlight the unique and special features of each community at the bus stops along the new route from McDonough to Stockbridge.
This collaboration ensures all voices are heard and that public spaces reflect the varied experiences of the community by transforming transit stops into welcoming, accessible, and culturally rich areas, the presentation advocates for inclusive environments where everyone can participate and prosper. From rocking chairs and benches, to a music box and a giant strummable guitar, each bus stop is unique but shares in the common theme of offering an inviting, fun and interactive place. They also account for inclusivity, focusing on a range of special needs including autism and spectrum disorders. The designs incorporate 10’ sidewalks, barriers from road, tactile barriers / areas to sit for those who may need a moment to get ready to go into where everyone is.
Sizemore Group Director of Planning Deanna Murphy led the master planning process, focusing on the creating of unique and beautiful spaces that fit into context, driven by the guidepost: “Who am I designing for?” We continue to incorporate place-keeping and the arts into all projects we touch as it is important to capturing the culture of the communities in which we work.