Training

PPS President Fred Kent (center) leads a tour of Midtown Manhattan's famed small urban spaces

The How to Turn a Place Around Training Course is now open. Click here to register.

“How to Turn a Place Around”, a 2-day PPS training course, introduces new ways of thinking about public spaces and how Placemaking can be used to bring communities together and revitalize underperforming spaces.  

Based on PPS’s 30 years of experience in Placemaking and inspired by our popular book, How to Turn a Place Around, participants explore the principles of making places through presentations, case studies, and PPS’s Place Performance Evaluation Game.

Participants discuss their evaluations of Union Square Park

This workshop is designed for professionals and non-professionals alike who help plan towns and cities—from landscape architects and real estate developers to park managers and community activists.  Enrollment is limited to 35 participants in order to promote a close-knit environment that fosters a deep understanding of what makes public spaces function and of PPS’s innovative methods for analyzing them.

Topics will include:

  • Introduction to Placemaking, PPS’ approach to community based planning
  • Components of a great public space
  • Tools and techniques to evaluate and design Places
  • Development of  a work plan of immediate, short-term, and long-term actions to improve a site
  • Engagement of your community
  • Discussion of current projects and case studies

Training Course Agenda

  • Thursday, April 16:  Introductory sessions; Tools & Technique sessions; Reception with PPS Staff
  • Friday, April 17:  Public Plaza Evaluation workshop; Application workshop; Closing session

Training Course Setting

This course puts us in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village, a thriving historic neighborhood that's evolved enormously in recent years. It provides ample examples of mixed-use buildings, residences and offices, historic brownstones next to new developments, on varying scales. We'll visit Union Square Park, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park, among other public spaces.

Project for Public Spaces (PPS): Training Course Host


Project for Public Spaces, Inc. is a non-profit technical assistance, research, and educational organization.   We complement our project work, training, and services with public space advocacy that sets the stage for broad change. Our goal is to enhance Placemaking efforts everywhere by promoting good policy and professional practice.


Your instructors for this course are:
 
  • Fred Kent, PPS President and Founder who has led workshops across the globe on Placemaking and the revitalization of city spaces;
  • Kathy Madden, PPS Senior Vice President and environmental designer who has directed research, design and training projects worldwide;
  • and PPS senior staff, who will give specialized presentations throughout the workshop.
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Training Course Cost

The registration fee covers breakfast and lunch on both days and a cocktail reception, along with educational materials.  Enrollment in training courses also includes a PPS membership!  You can view all the benefits of being a PPS member here.

Early registration (before March 6th): $550 for non-profits and individuals, $650 for government agencies and private companies

Late registration (after March 6th): $600 for non-profits and individuals, $700 for government agencies and private companies

Groups of 3 or more are eligible for a discount rate. Prices per person: $450 for non-profits and individuals, $550 for government agencies and private companies

We do offer a limited number of discounted registrations for non-profit organizations and individuals. These scholarships are based on merit. Please contact Dana Kitzes at dkitzes@pps.org for more information.

Registration

The How to Turn a Place Around Training Course is now open. Click here to register.

Questions?

Please contact Dana Kitzes at dkitzes@pps.org.

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