Canada Day: Placemaking and Place Management in Canada

On Canada Day, the Institute of Place Management is pleased to share this introduction to placemaking and place management in Canada.

As a global community of practitioners, researchers and policymakers, one of the strengths of the place management profession is the opportunity to learn from different countries and contexts. While governance structures, cultures and policy environments vary considerably, many of the opportunities and challenges facing places are shared. By exchanging knowledge and experience internationally, we can better understand different approaches to creating, managing and sustaining successful places.

This article provides a short introduction to placemaking and place management in Canada. It presents some of the key ideas, organisations and practices that have shaped these complementary disciplines, while highlighting some of the opportunities and challenges that continue to influence their development.

Placemaking

In Canada, as in many countries, the term “placemaking” has become widely used in recent years. An array of different definitions can be found that speak to the essential tenets of the practice – the enhancement of urban or rural spaces and the creation of people-friendly public (or semi-public) places. The term has been used to describe the renewal of main streets, the transformation of parking lots into plazas, the enhancement of master-planned neighbourhoods, improvements to existing community facilities and ‘third spaces’, and many activities in between. The practice has been supported by a wide variety of organisations, funding mechanisms and partnerships.

Despite the relative newness of the term, placemaking describes practices that have been undertaken since time immemorial by Indigenous communities, including sustainable land stewardship and the creation of gathering places and place-based markers that reflect deeply rooted social, cultural and spiritual values.

Today, in the country now known as Canada, placemaking is reflected in the work of community groups, artists, cultural organisations, non-profits, municipalities, businesses and business associations, healthcare professionals, developers and consultancies. Alongside the many motivations for placemaking, there is also an important and ongoing conversation around Reconciliation and the recognition and incorporation of Indigenous perspectives, adding further depth and richness to discussions about place.

On a national level, placemaking became more organised with the creation of Placemaking Canada in 2015, alongside similar organisations including Place Collective (formerly Placemaking UK), Placemaking Aotearoa and Placemaking US. International organisations such as Project for Public Spaces, Placemaking Europe and PlacemakingX also provide opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and international exchange.

Placemaking Canada is a network of predominantly grassroots organisations focused on placemaking and public space that recognises the unique Canadian context, including geography, climate, regulatory frameworks and funding environments. It provides a shared learning platform where placemakers can connect, exchange ideas and build capacity. The organisation works to amplify local placemaking initiatives, support skills development and advocate for the importance of high-quality public spaces.

Placemaking Canada identifies several key dimensions of successful placemaking, including:

• Community engagement and inclusivity.
• Environmental sustainability.
• Integrating Indigenous perspectives and cultural contributions.
• Advancing equity-centred approaches.
• Supporting local economies by creating vibrant places that attract people and strengthen local businesses.
• Creating safe, welcoming and accessible public spaces for people of all genders, ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Alongside Placemaking Canada, the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) has also played an important role through initiatives such as Canada’s Placemaking Community. Organised through the Healthy Communities Initiative, this programme brings together placemakers from across the country to share knowledge, inspire innovation and strengthen professional networks. The Institute promotes placemaking as a means of creating inclusive, vibrant and resilient communities while addressing social inequalities, supporting main street revitalisation, strengthening community resilience and ensuring that placemaking reflects the diverse needs of Canadian communities.

Placemaking in Canada has made significant progress but continues to face important challenges. Funding is often limited, with many initiatives relying on short-term grants rather than long-term investment. There is also ongoing debate about the commercialisation of placemaking and the risk that successful regeneration may contribute to gentrification and the displacement of lower-income residents. Many practitioners argue that stronger policy support, community-led approaches and sustainable investment are essential if placemaking is to achieve its full potential.

Notwithstanding these challenges, placemaking in Canada continues to be recognised as a transformative approach to creating healthier, more inclusive and economically vibrant communities, while fostering a stronger sense of belonging for residents and visitors alike.

Place Management – Business Improvement Areas

Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and Business Revitalization Zones (BRZs) provide one of Canada’s most established examples of place management in practice. These collaborative organisations bring together local businesses and property owners to enhance commercial districts through coordinated investment, promotion and stewardship. In many respects they perform a similar role to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) found in several other countries.

Canada is home to more than 500 BIAs, with over 270 located in Ontario alone. Their scale varies considerably. Some of the larger BIAs in cities such as Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver employ specialist teams, including staff dedicated to placemaking, marketing, economic development and public realm improvements. Others operate with a single part-time coordinator or rely heavily on volunteers and committed local businesses.

While each organisation reflects local priorities, BIAs commonly undertake activities including:

• Streetscape improvements and beautification.
• Marketing and destination promotion.
• Events and festivals.
• Safety and security initiatives.
• Business support and advocacy.
• Public realm maintenance.
• Economic development.
• Community engagement and partnership building.

Like place management organisations around the world, Canadian BIAs face a range of evolving challenges, including rising commercial rents, changing retail patterns, the growth of e-commerce, homelessness, demographic change, climate resilience, increasing administrative responsibilities, limited access to data, recruitment and retention of skilled staff and volunteers, supporting businesses through digital transformation and demonstrating their value to members, partners and the wider public.

Despite these challenges, BIAs continue to play an important leadership role in supporting local economies, strengthening partnerships and helping communities adapt to changing economic and social conditions.

Key Reflections

Canada’s experience demonstrates that placemaking and place management are complementary disciplines. Successful places require both the creativity, participation and community ownership associated with placemaking, and the long-term leadership, governance and stewardship provided through place management organisations.

As place management continues to evolve internationally, there is enormous value in sharing experiences across countries and disciplines. We hope this overview provides a useful introduction to the Canadian context and encourages further dialogue between practitioners, researchers and policymakers around the world.

On Canada Day, the Institute of Place Management celebrates the contribution that Canadian practitioners, organisations and communities continue to make to the international place management profession.