Theme: Placemaking, the process of creating vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces, is significantly enhanced through cross-sector collaboration and robust community engagement. By involving diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and most importantly, community members, placemaking initiatives can harness a wider range of resources, expertise, and perspectives. All of these partners are bound together by geography and the ability to pool resources to benefit the community. This poster explores the benefits and guiding principles of cross-sector collaboration and community engagement in the context of placemaking. It considers how these aspects come together in both rural and urban communities. A key aspect of successful placemaking is the active participation of community members. By engaging residents in the planning, design, and implementation of placemaking initiatives, practitioners can ensure that projects are responsive to local needs and aspirations. Furthermore, the authors discuss the importance of building strong partnerships between different sectors to achieve shared goals. By fostering collaboration between government, business, and nonprofit organizations, placemaking initiatives can leverage resources, expertise, and networks to create more impactful and sustainable projects. Ultimately, the success of placemaking depends on the active involvement of the community. By empowering residents to shape their neighborhoods and public spaces, placemaking can lead to more equitable, vibrant, and resilient communities. The work builds on the existing literature on placemaking and provides practitioners with a framework through which to consider the role of collaborations in their own placemaking initiatives. Overview: Placemaking, the art of creating vibrant public spaces, thrives on community engagement. By involving residents in the planning and implementation process, community leaders can ensure projects align with local needs and aspirations. Cross-sector collaboration, including government, businesses, and nonprofits, is crucial for leveraging resources and expertise. This poster explores the benefits and guiding principles of cross-sector collaboration and community engagement in the context of placemaking.
