Welcome to the Handbook
The Regeneration of Urban Blue Spaces: A Public Health Intervention? Reviewing the Evidence
Description:Research in recent years has demonstrated that urban surface waters (“urban blue spaces”) can provide beneficial effects on human health and wellbeing. Despite blue spaces prevailing on urban development agendas across the world, little investigation has been done whether and how the regeneration of such spaces is used as a (community-based) public health intervention. Therefore, a review was conducted to analyze urban blue space regeneration projects in terms of their significance for public health. Results show that the regeneration of urban blue spaces displays a diversity of intervention types and follows certain development trends seen in general urban regeneration: Similarities mainly arise in relation to objectives (multi-dimensional goals with increasing focus on environmental sustainability and economic interests), stakeholders (shift to multi-actor governance with a rise of partnerships and community participation), and funding (prevalence of mixed financial schemes and increasing reliance on external funding sources). Although threefold public health effects have been noted across the projects (i. behavioral changes toward healthier lifestyles, ii. healthier urban environments, iii. health policy changes), results of this review indicate that the potential to use urban blue regeneration as a community-based health intervention has yet to be realized.
Placemaking with Children and Youth: Participatory Practices for Planning Sustainable Communities
Description:From a history of children’s rights to case studies discussing international initiatives that aim to create child-friendly cities, Placemaking with Children and Youth offers comprehensive guidance in how to engage children and youth in the planning and design of local environments. It explains the importance of children’s active participation in their societies and presents ways to bring all generations together to plan cities with a high quality of life for people of all ages. Not only does it delineate best practices in establishing programs and partnerships, it also provides principles for working ethically with children, youth, and families, paying particular attention to the inclusion of marginalized populations.
Author:Victoria Derr, Louise Chawla, Mara Mintzer
Publication Year:2018
Tactical Urbanism: Short-Term Action for Long-Term Change
Description:Tactical Urbanism is a dynamic approach to initiating and advancing long-term projects related to street safety and public spaces. Originating as a grassroots strategy for citizens to reclaim their streets, it has evolved into a recognized project delivery process used globally. The methodology involves implementing low-cost, short-term "pilot" projects to test infrastructure, accelerate public benefits, and support community initiatives. Street Plans, a leading urban planning and design firm, plays a crucial role in this movement. They travel worldwide, aiding cities and communities in realizing their visions for placemaking and Tactical Urbanism. Through initiatives like the Miami-Dade Transportation Quick-Build Program, they collaborate with local departments and nonprofits to implement diverse projects, fostering community engagement and empowering people to shape their built environment.
Author:Dana Wall
Publication Year:2019
Recommended By:Rachelle Beauplan
Description:Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez spearheads a new mural on San Fernando Road with artist Erica Friend. The project was produced by 11:11 Projects and features local landmarks and wildlife.
Description:Henri Lefebvre was a French Marxist philosopher and sociologist, best known for pioneering the critique of everyday life, for introducing the concepts of the right to the city and the production of social space, and for his work on dialectical materialism and alienation.
Description:German sculptor, artist, landscape architect, and interdisciplinary urban planner. He founded the firm Atelier Dresiseitl in 1980 with a vision to develop liveable cities inspired by a deep understanding of water.
Description:Partners for political, financial, and intellectual backing are crucial to getting a public space improvement project off the ground. These partners can range from individuals, to private or municipal institutions, to museums, to schools.
Description:Urban Revitalization refers to the process of rejuvenating and transforming deteriorating or underdeveloped urban areas into vibrant, functional, and sustainable spaces. It involves the renewal of physical infrastructure, the enhancement of social services, and the promotion of economic development to improve the quality of life for residents and attract investment. Urban revitalization seeks to address issues such as blight, environmental degradation, and economic decline while fostering community involvement and sustainable growth. Key components of urban revitalization include: Physical Revitalization: Improving the built environment by renovating or repurposing old buildings, upgrading infrastructure (e.g., roads, parks, utilities), and creating new public spaces. Economic Revitalization: Encouraging local business growth, attracting new investments, and providing job opportunities. It also involves promoting mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. Social Revitalization: Enhancing the quality of life for residents by improving access to education, healthcare, affordable housing, and community services. It also focuses on fostering social cohesion and reducing inequality. Cultural Revitalization: Celebrating and preserving the cultural heritage of the area while integrating contemporary art and design that reflect the community’s identity. Environmental Sustainability: Incorporating green spaces, renewable ene
Description:Creative placemaking is a community-centered approach to revitalizing public spaces through arts, culture, and local storytelling. It empowers residents, artists, and organizations to collaborate in transforming the physical and social character of a place. Unlike traditional top-down urban design, creative placemaking values grassroots leadership and lived experiences as essential to shaping inclusive, vibrant environments. In projects like the Alleyway Concerts by Barrio Alegría in Reading, Pennsylvania, creative placemaking brought new life to underused spaces such as alleyways and laundromats, inviting neighbors to co-create cultural events. These initiatives promote not only artistic expression but also public safety, economic activation, and social cohesion. By embedding creativity into daily life, creative placemaking helps communities reclaim space, build trust, and imagine new futures together.