Placemaking rises as economic development tool

ANN ARBOR — More than a third of local jurisdictions reported using “placemaking” as an economic development strategy in 2013, up from 21 percent in 2009, according to a poll by the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy.

Placemaking is a community and economic development strategy that attempts to capitalize on local assets to create appealing and unique places where people want to live, work and play.

“In placemaking, communities use what they have whether it’s arts, cultural amenities, parks, architectural design, lakes or walkable streets to create a strong bond between people and the places they live,” said Tom Ivacko, administrator and program manager for the Ford School’s Center for Local, State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP). More here.