The Vision is Yours

Join us for an inspiring showcase of real estate developers who are redefining success through the lens of human connection. In this dynamic 1.5-hour session, innovative developers will share their most transformative projects—ones where placemaking principles turned disinvested urban spaces into thriving community hubs. Discover how incorporating public art, thoughtful design, and community engagement isn't just good for neighborhoods, but good business too. After brief project spotlights, we'll dive into a candid conversation about challenges, unexpected wins, and practical strategies for creating developments where people don't just live or work—they truly belong. Come ready with questions as we explore the delicate alchemy of turning real estate investments into beloved community treasures.

This workshop introduces community asset mapping as a practical tool for community organizers, residents, and placemaking practitioners. Participants will learn to identify local strengths—such as vacant lots, cultural hubs, and transit nodes—and leverage those assets to drive community-led placemaking initiatives. Through interactive exercises, attendees will map their neighborhoods' assets and gaps, gaining the tools to advocate for resources, foster cross-sector collaboration, and create public spaces that reflect the needs and identities of their communities. The session centers on equitable development and sustainable, people-driven land use practices, ensuring that placemaking serves the communities it is meant to benefit.

Our initiative centers on using Healthy Food Walk Audits to promote placemaking, food justice, and community advocacy. These audits empower residents to assess their local food environment, identifying gaps in food access, transportation challenges, and opportunities for integrating cultural food traditions into public spaces. By engaging community members in the process, we bridge food systems planning with local identity, advocating for improvements that reflect both cultural needs and sustainable urban design. Healthy Food Walk Audits also offer a way to repurpose vacant spaces into food-centered hubs—such as cooperatives, community kitchens, or indoor markets—helping revitalize neighborhoods and improve access to fresh, affordable food.

In June 2025, the Blue Line Corridor (BLC) Coalition will launch a transformative initiative in Prince George's County, Maryland, to revitalize a historically underinvested 5-mile stretch of the Central Avenue/Blue Line Corridor. Anchored by creative placemaking strategies, this effort seeks to reconnect the community to its rich cultural history while building a walkable, thriving corridor. Through a collaborative panel of stakeholders—including local developers, community leaders, and municipal officials—this session will explore how creative placemaking is being used to attract investment, reflect the area's culture, and ensure that existing residents benefit from revitalization efforts. Attendees will gain insights into the process of community-driven development and the unique challenges of working in a diverse, multi-stakeholder environment.