Placemaking
The City of Charlotte launched the Placemaking Program in 2018 with the mission of using urban design and placemaking to transform underutilized public spaces into vibrant places for people. Led by the
Charlotte Urban Design Center, the program builds public space projects and creates opportunities for neighborhoods through the Charlotte Placemaking Hub to use placemaking to promote community collaboration and accomplish public space goals.
In 2019, the Urban Design Center created the Placemaking Grant to help community members activate and beautify underutilized public spaces. The grant includes funding and assistance for materials, design, permitting, city development approval, and community engagement. To date, the Urban Design Center has awarded 20 projects $190,000 over three cycles.
The Urban Design Center also manages Placemaking Creative Pool. The Creatives Pool matches local creatives with opportunities in Charlotte on a rolling basis. The Creatives Pool includes creatives who work in mixed media, performance, written and spoken word, video/photography, and fabrication. It also includes professionals who manage the process of implementing public art and performance. Learn more and
apply here.
In addition to the Placemaking Grant And Creative Pool, the Charlotte Urban Design Center is focusing on key projects like The Ritz at Washington Heights, programing at Five Points Plaza, and the Urban Arboretum Trail.