Using Creative Placemaking to Facilitate Community & Economic Development

Creative Placemaking is an urban development strategy used as a means of facilitating community development and growth through the implementation of art and cultural activities (Creative Placemaking, 2010). Various creative placemaking activities include increased signage, street furniture, beautification such as landscaping, public art instillations, murals, and sustainable features. Placemaking prompts revitalization by transforming underused and underdeveloped public spaces into attractive, enticing, interesting and informative places. Various non-profit organizations will collaborate on municipal projects by transforming underused storefronts and public spaces into more vibrant, livable, and walkable commercial corridors. This study will use a mixed-methods approach where the policies and implementation strategies will be evaluated using interviews. Interviews with program participants and, if available, interviews to obtain resident opinions on the transformed façades. This research will explore the national definition of Creative Placemaking and evaluate how this strategy is defined and applied in New Orleans. In addition, an evaluation of national policies, practice and projects will compare how Creative Placemaking is used by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA). NORA has launched the Façade RENEW project which focuses on the revitalization of these commercial corridors: Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, Alcee Fourtier in New Orleans East, and St. Claude Avenue. Placemaking project missions are to be focused, affordable, and transformative over time. By understanding the goals of Creative Placemaking, the transformation of a commercial corridor into a more livable community and neighborhood can be achieved.