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The Global Placemaking Summit in Toronto was a unique opportunity to learn from, support, and shape the global placemaking movement. This event was designed to celebrate, support, and shape the evolution of placemaking learning, leadership, advocacy, and action. Participants worked to strengthen and connect the 30+ national and regional placemaking networks and build on the placemaking agenda developed at the first Placemaking Summit in Mexico City in November 2023.
The Summit had five main goals:
The 2nd Global Placemaking Summit also reflected an opportunity for growth and celebration. The timing of the event coincided with several key anniversaries:
This Summit celebrated, supported, and shaped the evolution of placemaking learning, leadership, advocacy, and action. We worked to connect the 30+ national and regional placemaking networks and to build on the agenda set at the first Placemaking Summit in Mexico City, thanks to Fundación Placemaking México.
“I came away knowing that there are a great many people working in the same space, and that was very reassuring. It was inspiring to see a wide variety of projects presented.”
“I loved hearing the talks from the First Nations speakers and feel like so many of my takeaways were from hearing their points of view on how to look at the world and seeing placemaking from that perspective to reframe the work we do.”
“I think a big thing for me was the ways placemaking is also, or perhaps it is actually placekeeping. The recognition that a place has a past, present, and future speaks to our role in making and keeping.”
“Thank you so much for introducing me to the world of placemaking! Every person representing a placemaking organization was beyond wonderful! Thank you.”
Day 1 of the Global Placemaking Summit showcased some of the best-in-class examples in Toronto.
The Well — A behind-the-scenes tour of this major mixed-use development at Front and Spadina was led by Dennis Lago of Urban Strategies.
Key Learnings:
The Bentway — A globally recognized placemaking example. The Bentway team led the group through the development and creation processes. It was clear that the sky was the limit as to how many uses this space can offer.
Key Learnings:
TAS — a leading real estate developer who is leading with purpose and impact in its plans. Guests learned how placemaking in new developments can foster stronger, more connected communities—starting well before construction begins. They partnered with landscape architects Public Work are playing a key role in shaping the public realm, drawing on the site’s layered history to design spaces rooted in circularity, storytelling, and collaboration. Together, TAS and Public Work will share ideas and real-world examples of how thoughtful design and development can support long-term social connection.
STACKT market — one of the most renowned shipping container markets in the world. We were joined by Matt Rubinoff (founder) and Jason Thorne (Chief Planner, City of Toronto)
Key takeaways:
Space
Guests
Day 2 of the Global Placemaking Summit took place at YZD, beginning with a warm welcome and opening remarks by Anjuli Solanki of STEPS Public Art. Her remarks offered a meaningful land acknowledgement and explored the powerful role of public art in shaping community identity and advancing placemaking initiatives. This was followed by a powerful Indigenous ceremony led by Lindsey Lickers of the Ontario Native Women's Association, grounding the day in reflection and cultural connection to place.
Participants then moved into the first round of thematic roundtable discussions, to help advance the global placemaking movement toward broader impact and deeper systemic change. Each session offered a focused space for dialogue on critical placemaking issues, from people and public spaces, to strategies and outcomes. While the topics varied widely, a few themes consistently emerged across the day: the importance of co-creation in public space design, the need for early and ongoing engagement with different stakeholder groups, and the value of data-driven storytelling.
Throughout the day, attendees also explored YZD’s public art, installations, and repurposed grounds through hosted experiences and self-guided discovery. Highlights included Runway Rivers, Moving Forests, a guided mural tour, and tours of the YZD Visitor Centre. The day concluded with a social at the YZD Experience Centre and a final opportunity for connection and conversation.
Special thanks to YZD and Northcrest Developments for their generous hosting and partnership in making Day 2 a success.
The roundtable workshops brought together global placemaking leaders to define and develop a broad range of placemaking topics for collective learning, advocacy, and agenda-building. The day was structured around four rounds of ten agenda topics, grouped by people, spaces, strategies, and outcomes. Participants included leaders, organizers, researchers, and advocates, all dedicated to enhancing placemaking in various contexts.
A long-term goal for the agendas is to foster new action networks that could lead to international programs, supporting existing PlacemakingX networks, and creating new initiatives.
DESIGNwith hosted a memorable field trip at their first-of-its-kind design innovation lab in partnership with Cadillac Fairview and OCAD University. Guests learned about showcasing their co-design process and how they create products from materials diverted from the landfill. Ranee Lee, founder of DESIGNwith, shared DESIGNwith’s unique framework, how thoughtful collaborators made this happen, and their creative design outcomes, focusing on placemaking initiatives that center on people and the planet create win/win across the board.
Key takeaways
The World Urban Pavilion is a UN-Habitat global knowledge exchange hub to share best practices, innovation and research in transformation of urban development, revitalization and industrial cities from countries around the world. The Pavilion generously hosted the Summit's reporting on the global placemaking agendas.
Reflecting the robost round table conversations from Day 2, agenda leaders gathered to share back insights from the discussions and present the collective goals and potential impact programs to the larger summit attendees. The agenda development build on the reporting from the 1st Global Placemaking Summit, and was captured through video and notes, with key take aways to be shared.
Held at AKI Studio, home to Native Earth Performing Arts, this full-day program convened local and international placemaking leaders for a rich exchange of tools, ideas, and strategies. Set within a space of deep local context, the day was anchored by a powerful Indigenous panel and featured compelling keynotes, collaborative fishbowl discussions, and interactive sessions exploring the future of complete communities and waterfront activation. The event sparked meaningful dialogue, strengthened cross-sector connections, and renewed our collective commitment to place-based change.
Session Recap: Is Canada Ready for Complete Communities?
The dynamic panel of international guests —Madeleine Spencer, William Mendes, William Chamberlain, and Andrew Pask—moderated by Jacquelyn West, challenged conventional definitions of "complete communities" by emphasizing adaptability, inclusion, and social value at the heart of community-building. William Mendes highlighted the importance of planning systems that embed equity and anticipate change, urging cities to design for social infrastructure as intentionally as they do physical infrastructure. Madeline Spencer offered powerful insights from her work on the ground, advocating for models that prioritize bridge-building between cultures over walls of exclusion. All panelists called for a shift from rigid, prescriptive frameworks toward community ecosystems that are responsive, participatory, and rooted in shared values.
Session Recap: Indigenous Placemaking - Stewardship, Reconciliation and Right Relation
The session at AKI Studios closed with a panel discussion on Indigenous Placemaking and Placekeeping featuring several local knowledge-keepers – Carolyn King (Mississauga of the Credit First Nation), Susan Robertson (Moccasin Identifier), Olivia Hope (Oneida Hodinohsho:ni, Six Nations of the Grand River), Laura McPhie (Anishinabe, German, and Scottish; Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation), Matthew Hickey (Mohawk Nation, Wolf clan, Six Nations of the Grand River) and Danielle Hyde (Ojibwe). The session was moderated by Andrew Pask. Drawing from their work in community, as part of design professions, envionmental and arts organizations, and local government, participants shared lessons on the cultural role of placekeeping, Placemaking practices to support cultural memory, cultural visibility and cultural practice, and opportunities to advance reconciliation, learning, healing and right relation.
Participants of the daytime events at the World Urban Pavilion and AKI Studios had the opportunity to participate in a number of late-afternoon and evening activities.
8 80 Cities hosted a social on the rooftop of the 401 Richmond Building, providing an opportunity for people to mix and mingle in a beautiful downtown setting.
One of the highlights of the week was the boat tour of Toronto's Inner Harbour. Made possible by the Waterfront Toronto BIA and Waterfront Toronto, the tour highlighted the eastern waterfront developments including Sugar Beach, Bayside Village, Quayside, Port Lands Flood Protection Program and the new Ookwemin Minising Island that has a park that just opened this summer.
Key Learnings
The last day of the Global Placemaking Summit took place at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto. The day was designed to foster hands-on learning, collaboration, and networking among local and global placemakers. Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to engage with peers and explore innovative ideas contributing to the placemaking movement while participating in various key components of the summit - the PLAYcemaking Warehouse, Collision Tables, Hands-on Workshops, Panel Discussions, and Plenary Sessions.
The PLAYcemaking Warehouse was a standout feature of the event, which hosted interactive activity stations focused on promoting creativity and connection through playful engagement. Local and global placemakers facilitated these stations, encouraging participants to immerse themselves in collaborative and imaginative placemaking practices. Simultaneously, the summit also featured Collision Tables, where participants gathered at four designated tables to collaboratively address complex public space challenges. These tables were led by expert facilitators, ensuring productive discussions and the exchange of insights.
To further enhance the learning experience, there were seven hands-on workshops hosted, with each session accommodating up to 20 participants. These workshops focused on specific tools, methods, and approaches within the realm of placemaking, providing valuable practical takeaways.
The summit also included panels and a plenary session, covering topics such as the 'Future of the Placemaking Movement' and a mini-masterclass on the new regenerative placemaking revolution. As the day concluded, a fun and engaging reception provided an opportunity for attendees to reflect on their learnings, connect with peers, and build new relationships over light refreshments.
Overall, the Global Placemaking Summit aimed to showcase creative and community-driven placemaking approaches, facilitate cross-sector networking, and encourage participatory design and collaboration among practitioners from all backgrounds.
The final field trip was at The Distillery District, cited as a 2024 top global adapt reuse example by the World Economic Forum. The tour was led by the developers of the award winning National Historic Site which is an inspired blend of Victorian Industrial architecture and stunning 21st century design and creativity. The result is an internationally acclaimed village of placemaking one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, theatres and more.
Key Takeaways
X People
Placemaking for Children
Placemaking for Women
Placemaking for the Elderly
Placemaking for Youth
Indigenous Placemaking
Placemaking with Nature and Pets
Refugee Placemaking and Peacemaking
Black Placemaking
Latino Placemaking
LGBTQ+ Placemaking
X public spaces
Public Markets
Waterfronts
Streets as Places
Mobility Stops and Stations
Urban Parks as Community Places
Public Buildings as Public Spaces
Architecture of Place
Placemaking for Sports Facilities
Rural Placemaking and Main Streets
Winter Places
X strategies
Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper
Place Governance
Place-led Development
Digital Placemaking
Creative Placemaking
Placemaking Tools and Processes
Financing Placemaking
Placemaking in Academia and Research
Philanthropy for Placemaking
Amenities, Music, Art
X outcomes
Safety and Security
Equity and Inclusion
Public Health
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Democracy and Participation
Economic Development and Innovation
Place Attachment and Lovability
Local Food Economies
Regenerative Tourism/Place Tourism
Play, Joy, and Happiness
Regional Networks & Network Leaders
Agendas are emerging from our regional networks, with network leaders forming and implementing Placemaking Agendas. We have helped form and support 20+ regional and national networks, with another 20+ in various stages of formation (listed below). The Summit will highlight these network leaders, hear their challenges and ideas, and support them through the development of crosscutting agendas to initiate local programs. Some of regional networks with incomplete lists of the leaders supporting them:
Agendas and Agenda Network Leaders
With established regional networks increasingly supporting the movement's learning, advocacy and action, the next goal is to support these networks with crosscutting agendas. 40 key agendas that have emerged from within the regional networks, with leaders in different parts of the planet advancing different dimensions of each topic.
The agendas are grouped by people, spaces, strategies, and outcomes. Agenda leaders will be gathered virtually before the summit to start to frame their topics, and then work during the summit to finalize and present on their collective goals and potential impact programs.
Explore the agendas with the lists of some of the PlacemakingX leaders we are asking to help shape these. Let us know if are interested in joining any of these groups when you register.
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X People
Placemaking for Children
Placemaking for Women
Placemaking for the Elderly
Placemaking for Youth
Indigenous Placemaking
Placemaking with Nature and Pets
Refugee Placemaking and Peacemaking
Black Placemaking
Latino Placemaking
LGBTQ+ Placemaking
X public spaces
Public Markets
Waterfronts
Streets as Places
Mobility Stops and Stations
Urban Parks as Community Places
Public Buildings as Public Spaces
Architecture of Place
Placemaking for Sports Facilities
Rural Placemaking and Main Streets
Winter Places
X strategies
Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper
Place Governance
Place-led Development
Digital Placemaking
Creative Placemaking
Placemaking Tools and Processes
Financing Placemaking
Placemaking in Academia and Research
Philanthropy for Placemaking
Amenities, Music, Art
X outcomes
Safety and Security
Equity and Inclusion
Public Health
Climate Resilience and Sustainability
Democracy and Participation
Economic Development and Innovation
Place Attachment and Lovability
Local Food Economies
Regenerative Tourism/Place Tourism
Play, Joy, and Happiness
Regional Networks & Network Leaders
Agendas are emerging from our regional networks, with network leaders forming and implementing Placemaking Agendas. We have helped form and support 20+ regional and national networks, with another 20+ in various stages of formation (listed below). The Summit will highlight these network leaders, hear their challenges and ideas, and support them through the development of crosscutting agendas to initiate local programs. Some of regional networks with incomplete lists of the leaders supporting them:
Agendas and Agenda Network Leaders
With established regional networks increasingly supporting the movement's learning, advocacy and action, the next goal is to support these networks with crosscutting agendas. 40 key agendas that have emerged from within the regional networks, with leaders in different parts of the planet advancing different dimensions of each topic.
The agendas are grouped by people, spaces, strategies, and outcomes. Agenda leaders will be gathered virtually before the summit to start to frame their topics, and then work during the summit to finalize and present on their collective goals and potential impact programs.
Explore the agendas with the lists of some of the PlacemakingX leaders we are asking to help shape these. Let us know if are interested in joining any of these groups when you register.
PlacemakingX is a global network of leaders who together accelerate placemaking as a way to create healthy, inclusive, and beloved communities. Our vision is to make the spaces we live into places we love. Create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable world through the convergence of values, passion, and action around our public spaces.
We are a network of placemaking thought leaders, public space activists, regional network leaders, and professionals from all over the world. We have diverse experiences and backgrounds but share a common purpose. PlacemakingX is currently formed by 100+ leaders and 1,500+ advocates from 100+ countries around the world.
Placemaking Canada was founded in 2015 and is a cross-country collective that champions placemaking and public space as part of healthy, vibrant and equitable communities. The organization has held a number of national gatherings over the past decade. Core activities for Placemaking Canada are built around four linked themes: (1) Connecting & Convening, (2) Amplifying & Celebrating, (3) Advocating, (4) Capacity Building/Skill-Sharing/Knowledge Transfer.
The Toronto Summit would not have happened without a dedicated team of local placemakers and public space advocates. The team met weekly in the months leading up to the June event, with Committee members taking all aspects of event programming and logistics. Core Committee members (in alphabetical order): Andrew Pask, Beth Evans, Cassandra Alves, Danielle Goldfinger, Emma Petersen, Ima-Obong Esin, Jacquelyn West, Lanrick Bennett, Marcello Cabezas, Massa Almouslly, Nic de Salaberry, Rachel Bregman, Ronika Postaria, Ryan Lo, Sanjna Urval, T.J. Maguire, Wes Reibeling. Additional support for was provided by Paola Qualizza and Paty Rios.
Supporting PlacemakingX, Placemaking Canada and the steering commmittee through in-kind support and sponsorships include the following partners: World Urban Pavilion, YZD by Northcrest, Project for Public Spaces, Urban Economy Forum, UN Habitat, Canadian Urban Institute, Evergreen, Spacing, 8 80 Cities, Jane’s Walk, STEPS Public Art, STACKT Market, Social Life Project, DESIGNwith, The Place Institute, MASSIVart, Hatch, and Vestre.
Also, thank you to all the individuals for their volunteering and support in making this conference happen!
