Before placemaking had a name, groundbreaking theorists like Jane Jacobs and William H. Whyte changed the way we think about cities and public space, emphasizing the role of observation, experimentation, and community engagement in their success.

Placemaker Profiles bring together the stories and key insights of individuals like Jacobs and Whyte who have long captured the imaginations of students of public space and left their mark on today’s placemaking movement.