I’ve written in this column before that some ITE Journal topics are easier for me to write about than others. This month’s topic—Placemaking—seemed tough to write about while wearing only my engineer’s hat. But when I started thinking of myself as a “place-enjoyer” with an engineering background, it made it much easier.
Placemaking, according to one definition, is the art and science of crafting spaces that resonate with the community, fostering a sense of belonging and joy. Where I live in Colorado, in the shadow of Pike’s Peak, one of my favorite places is Bancroft Park in Old Colorado City. On Saturday mornings during the warmer months, families, neighbors, and visitors gather for the farmers’ market. Happy diners spill out onto the patio of the adjacent coffee shop. This scene didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of thoughtful placemaking, where land use planners and community members came together to envision a space that reflects their values and aspirations.
How do we as transportation professionals play a part in this? Turns out we have a tremendous role. We are the ones who plan and design the systems that get people to and around this idyllic scene. We ensure that we provide options so people can arrive and get around by car, motorcycle, bike, or on foot.
In Bancroft Park, bicycles have a prominent place in this scene. The park is bounded by a bicycle boulevard, and Pike Ride, the local bike share company, has an e-bike station in the park. Cycling not only takes a car off the road, it also brings a sense of freedom and adventure (refer to my April column to read about how bikes can open up a city to those who are too young to drive).
Another one of my favorite places is Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs where I work. Understanding the importance of pedestrian-friendliness in making a great place, the city is currently widening the sidewalks, allowing adjacent restaurants to expand their outdoor patio dining space. Even before the sidewalk widening, if you were sitting at an outdoor table more than likely someone you knew—a colleague, a client, or an elected official—would walk by and stop to say hello.
Public transportation is another vital component of placemaking. My downtown is served by the free circulator called the “Zeb.” This shuttle, cleverly named after Zebulon Pike but also an acronym for zero-emission bus, can take me north to my church up near Colorado College, and south to Weidner Field where our United Soccer League team plays. While both locations are within walking distance, the Zeb is my preferred method of transportation on especially cold days.
Community involvement is vital to placemaking. After all, who knows more about a place than the people who live there and use it? When residents have a say in the planning process, the result is a space that reflects their unique identity and needs. Something I’ve learned in my three decades in our industry is that input from the public is an enormous factor in how our places and projects evolve. It’s a collaborative effort that transforms visions into reality.
Placemaking is about creating spaces that bring us together. Transportation, often overlooked, is the thread that ties it all together, ensuring that our places are not just beautiful, but also functional and connected.