A KC Perspective on International Placemaking Week, Detroit, June 2026

By Ann Holliday, Vice President – Strategic Initiatives for the Downtown Council and Executive Director of the Art in the Loop Foundation

In June 2026, I had the privilege of attending the 5th International Placemaking Week in Detroit, joining over 650 placemakers from 177 cities across the globe. Under the theme “From Recovery to Resilience through Placemaking,” we explored Downtown Detroit’s transformation from a vehicle-centric city to a vibrant, people-first urban landscape.

“The Beach” at Campus Martius in the center of Downtown Detroit is popular with families.

This temporary bar and social space activates one corner of Campus Martius.

Revitalized Parks

A highlight of the conference was the opportunity to tour recently revitalized parks in Downtown Detroit

And see first-hand how a connected network of parks can strengthen downtown identity, support local enterprise, and drive long-term economic vitality. Hosted by the Downtown Detroit Partnership, we learned how sustained public–private collaboration can transform downtown parks into engines of economic growth and community life.

Food trucks fill Cadillac Square every day throughout the summer.

Interactive artwork activates Beacon Park.

These city-owned parks are managed by the community-based non-profit, allowing for more inclusive governance, creative funding models and programming, small business integration, and year-round operations. We toured Campus Martius, Capitol Park, Beacon Park, and Cadillac Square and learned how thoughtful design, stewardship, and revenue generation create inclusive, high-performing public spaces.

The Stories of Us, art installation at Ralph C. Wilson Park, Detroit Riverfront.

Detroit’s Transformation

The first day of the conference also focused on Detroit’s transformation through placemaking and highlighted several key strategies for urban development:

Shift in Priorities: Detroit moved from a city dominated by parking and vehicles prior to the 2008 Recession toward a people-first approach, prioritizing social capital and community building.
Place Management: Iterative management strategies are considered more critical than construction alone, with a focus on metrics like “smiles per square foot”.
Inclusive Design: Strategies emphasized creating community without “othering” and designing spaces that function as transportation networks for pedestrians and cyclists.
Community Stewardship: A “people first” approach to design involves active community engagement, ensuring residents see their input reflected in the final results.
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Dion Walcott of MARTK’D highlighted the importance of breaking silos, sharing resources, and fostering “co-opetition” between Downtown and neighborhoods, ensuring both areas work together for mutual benefit.

Another particularly interesting session was “Placemaking for a Resilient Democracy”, moderated by Mitchell Silverman. He explored the intersection of public spaces and democratic health.

Key takeaways included:

Redefining Engagement: Public spaces should shift the focus from “what can I do here?” to “how do I feel?” by prioritizing values like freedom, trust, and collaboration.
Building Agency: To address the current “crisis of agency,” placemaking can strengthen democracy by giving communities direct control over the design, management, and maintenance of their local spaces.
Inclusive Planning: Democracy requires broad participation and must actively combat historic exclusion. Designing spaces so that the most vulnerable feel comfortable ensures that everyone else feels they belong as well.
Civic Commons Strategy [https://civiccommons.us/ ]: This initiative focuses on rebuilding trust between citizens and government by moving away from “being handed things” toward active decision-making and community-led neighborhood rebuilding.
Democracy as a Lifestyle: Strengthening democracy involves treating public spaces as venues for kindness, joy, and freedom of expression, which helps combat cynicism and promotes optimism.

Another panel, “Placemaking & Cultural Belonging,” focused on the role of storytelling, relationship-building, and cultural integration in urban spaces:

Storytelling as Civic Action: Ashley Ajaye, The Stories of Us, [https://www.thestoriesofus.org/] emphasized that public art—including sculptures, poetry, music, and digital storytelling—serves as an invitation to the community. Commissioning local artists to share their narratives and using digital tools like QR codes can actively engage the public in sharing their culture.
Building Trust Through Relationships: Maya Curtis, MC Public Art Consulting, shared the example of the Oretha Haley Castle Boulevard restoration in New Orleans and stressed that “trust takes time.” Instead of traditional public meetings, she advocated for building relationships directly at the site through shared food and creativity. She highlighted that “culture is the infrastructure” and that joy should be an integral part of the development process.
Strategic Storytelling for Places: Jeannett Pierce, City Institute provided a framework for effectively telling a place’s story:
- Provide unique insights that can’t be found via a simple search.
- Leverage the “Power of I” in narratives.
- Connect stories to the value proposition to justify ongoing investment.
- Combine data with lived experiences, positioning oneself as the trusted storyteller for a place.

This experience provided me with invaluable insights and a living laboratory of innovative strategies that I am eager to apply to our own revitalization efforts in Downtown Kansas City, ensuring our public spaces become more inclusive, resilient, and community-centered. I met interesting colleagues, toured some beautiful and highly activated parks connecting key destinations and amenities in Downtown Detroit, and look forward to continuing the work of the Art in the Loop Foundation and Downtown Council!