One paradox of the global pandemic is that while our ability to gather has been curtailed, we have also become increasingly aware of the qualities that matter in places when we do meet outside of our homes and screens.  More than ever, in real life, we desire places that are safe, healthy, comfortable, accessible, welcoming, and attractive.

These are qualities recognized by ULI Pittsburgh’s Annual Placemaking Awards for Excellence, which sadly had to be postponed due to ongoing public health concerns, and through a monthly virtual series that showcases award finalists leading up to the in-person ceremony and celebration planned for May 12 at The Highline.

On the third Wednesday of each month, development teams behind the two finalists share images, videos, and stories of what drove them to create such noteworthy places. Participants who register for the series can watch and listen live as well as access recordings at their convenience.

So far, featured finalists in the Catalytic Place and Community Place categories have emphasized striking similar themes about how community engagement and cross-sector collaboration, trust and transparency, and repurposing and reinvesting in existing structures led them to exceed and expand their original project visions.   Yet there is significant variety in project scale and scope among the finalists and their developers.  Whether led by institutions (University of Pittsburgh),  private interests (Walnut Capital and Gregg Kander), and nonprofits  (ACTION-Housing and YMCA) or primarily for residential (Centre Avenue Commons, The Ohringer Building), commercial/retail (Bakery Square Refresh), or educational and research (Homewood Community Engagement Center) uses, each project has one or more elements that, in the words of Pitt’s Lena DeStillo] creates a “civic hive,” or as Todd Reidbord from Walnut Capital put it “a sense of place…where people can come and feel free to express themselves.”

For more insights into what makes for successful Placemaking, sign up for the remaining presentations, featuring Healthy, Transformative, and Visionary Places.  ULI Pittsburgh members also have an opportunity in January to register for ULI Westchester/Fairfield Creative Placemaking: Setting The Table- Session I to hear from ULI Fellow and frequent Pittsburgh visitor Ed McMahon about other placemaking principles.