Placemaking Seminar Series 2019
Programs take place at the BSA Space, 290 Congress Street in Boston, usually on the 4th Monday of the month from 6-8pm. They are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Events are free and open to the public. Pizza and libations will be served. Register with your name and email. To learn more about our monthly seminar series and to register for individual roundtable sessions visit the Placemaking Network on the BSA Website.
2019 Placemaking Network Seminars
October 28, 2019 – rescheduled on January 27, 2020
The Evolution of the Boston Latin Quarter: Placemaking in Action
Boston's Latin Quarter was established as a state-designated cultural district to recognize its historic and current significance as a hub of the city's Latinx community. The leaders of this effort, Courtney Sharpe of the City of Boston’s Cultural Office, Celina Miranda of the Hyde Square Task Force, and Annis Whitlow Sengupta of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council discuss the formation of the district with a focus on the architectural environment as well as planning opportunities and challenges. Our behind the scenes look will include insights on grant funding for placemaking initiatives and feature clips from a 2019 documentary that narrates the story of the Latin Quarter.
September 23, 2019
The Synergy of Sculpture and Architecture: Richard Bertman and Christina Lanzl in Dialogue
Christina Lanzl and Richard Bertman delve into the creative synergy between architecture and sculpture in the making and meaning of Bertman’s kinetic objects, wire sculptures and other works. With his wit, he invites the viewer to ponder the bright side of life while speaking to the humanity in all of us. To find and express humor in life and art is Bertman’s forte, a Renaissance man who launched his creative practice as co-founder of CBT Architects. Richard Bertman was in conversation with Christina Lanzl, BSA Placemaking Network co-chair and author of the recently released book Richard Bertman: The Sculptures.
Watch the video of The Synergy of Sculpture and Architecture: Richard Bertman and Christina Lanzl in Dialogue
June 24, 2019
Tools for Systemic Change: Assessing the Impact of The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
Greg Watson, Director for Policy and Systems Design at the Schumacher Center for a New Economics and former executive director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative presents equitable community development. The DSNI’s community land trust (CLT) is considered as one of the nation’s most powerful examples of the effectiveness of CLTs as a tool to facilitate the development of affordable housing in low-income communities. The Dudley Town Common, the Don't Dump on Us campaign, urban village visioning process established placemaking and community gathering opportunities as integral part of the project. Dudley PRIDE also known as "People and Resources Investing in Dudley's Environment" was created in to bolster placemaking in the neighborhood.
An extraordinary confluence of events led to the residents of the Dudley Street Community encompassing parts of Roxbury and Dorchester gaining control over the land and subsequently the development of their neighborhood that for decades had suffered decline resulting from racist activities and policies including redlining, disinvestment, abandonment that culminated in widespread arson-for-profit in the mid 1980s. For communities of color with little economic clout and a history of political and social marginalization, control over land is a significant source of power and empowerment for residents.
Is it possible to quantify the impact of the DSNI experiment? A spatial analysis of variables like homeownership rates (measured by owner-occupancy data), vacant lots, building values, land values, and foreclosures, shows that CLTs can stabilize neighborhoods by maintaining housing affordability. The tradeoffs with this model of “gentrification without displacement” are lower housing values and wealth accumulation. This kind of information will prove helpful to other economically stressed communities in Boston and elsewhere determine if such a strategy is a viable option for them.
Read the summary article, Placemaking in the Context of Affordable Housing: A Case Study. BSA News, July 11, 2019.
May 20, 2019
The Process of Art in Architecture
Over the past decades public artist Catherine Widgery has witnessed how the very idea of public art has been evolving. There has been a flowering of integrated art projects and a general recognition of the increased value brought by the inclusion of public art in any new construction project. Today commissions are often the product of a collaboration between the artist and design teams made up of architects, designers, technology experts and stakeholders as well as members of the community. All this requires skills and facilities very different from the traditional artist's role of working alone in a studio. Artworks are often interactive, using new technologies, materials and complex fabrication processes and the lines between artists, designers and architects has blurred.How is this changing the art? What are the risks and benefits? Catherine will speak to the way the current trends in public art have meant it is increasingly integrated into fabric of the built environment. We’ll discuss the way the computer is influencing both the design and production of artworks and the unique value that an artist’s intuitive approach can bring to sites and buildings. Examples of how the early involvement of artists on design teams can steer architectural projects in surprising ways will be part of the conversation.
Watch the video of The Process of Art in Architecture.
April 29, 2019
Opportunities For Public Art Through Placemaking
Elizabeth Keithline moderated a diverse panel of regional leaders in the field of public art on Opportunities For Public Art Through Placemaking. The evening provided an opportunity to learn more about current issues and trends in public art and creative placemaking. Bring your questions and contribute to an open dialogue moderated by Liz Keithline, artist, curator and Percent-for-Art administrator for the Rhode Island State Council On the Arts. She was joined by Greg Cook, Director of Marketing & PR at the Cambridge Arts Council and author of the popular Wonderland blog; Stephanie Fortunato, Director of the City of Providence Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism; artists Napoleon Jones-Henderson and Kari Percival; as well as Anita Lauricella, public art curator for the Boston Downtown Improvement District.
Watch the video of Opportunities For Public Art Through Placemaking.
March 25, 2019
Placemaking, Placekeeping and Ethnography: Placing Culture in the Public Realm
Gregory Jenkins reviewed the work he accomplishes as an arts administrator working in Somerville. Looking through an ethnographic lens to shape cultural work in the public realm, he discussed cultural context in the community and cross sector programming that informs the work of the Somerville Arts Council. The Council’s mission is “to cultivate and celebrate the creative expressions of the Somerville community." Through innovative collaborations and quality programming the SAC works to make the arts an integral part of life reflective of our diverse city. Somerville’s Street Art Project was featured on WBUR as one of “10 Public Art Installations to see” in 2018.
February 25, 2019
Intimate Public Spaces in Greater Boston: Landscape Architecture as Placemaking
Clara Batchelor, Principal of CBA Landscape Architects, shared the stories of select connective landscape designs serving adults and children in greater Boston. Particular attention will be paid to the narrative contexts and evolution of open spaces and parks, such as the Sidney Research Campus Public Plazas in Cambridge and the Paris Street Playground in East Boston. Find out about the impetus for redesigning the Deanna Cremin Playground in Somerville and Cambridge’s Galaxy Park at the eastern terminus of Main Street in Kendall Square. Some of the issues to be discussed are: What’s special about the land use or evolution of the project? When private businesses were involved, how did the public and private partnerships evolve and impact the design? For public parks, how was the community brought into the design process? How have the projects been received?
January 28, 2019
Our Beloved Fountain: Making Water Features Sustainable
Mike Igo of Aqueous Consultants, a sustainable water feature design expert, spoke about the dos and don’ts of water feature maintenance, including annual costs. Fountains are beloved features in many public places and contribute to quality of life while adding environmental benefits, particularly during hot summer months. However, many parks departments and commissioning bodies shy away from installing them due to the perceived high cost of installation and ongoing maintenance. Some recurring questions neighborhoods may face are whether alternative funding models can keep the water flowing if a city or town won’t perform regular upkeep. What are the impacts of a dormant fountain? What are the environmental effects, both positive and negative? Mike answered these questions, explained the typical pool, pass through and recirculating systems, and shared his insights on sustainable best practices.
Download Mike Igo's Sustainable Water Features Presentation
2019 Placemaking Network Seminars
October 28, 2019 – rescheduled on January 27, 2020
The Evolution of the Boston Latin Quarter: Placemaking in Action
Boston's Latin Quarter was established as a state-designated cultural district to recognize its historic and current significance as a hub of the city's Latinx community. The leaders of this effort, Courtney Sharpe of the City of Boston’s Cultural Office, Celina Miranda of the Hyde Square Task Force, and Annis Whitlow Sengupta of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council discuss the formation of the district with a focus on the architectural environment as well as planning opportunities and challenges. Our behind the scenes look will include insights on grant funding for placemaking initiatives and feature clips from a 2019 documentary that narrates the story of the Latin Quarter.
September 23, 2019
The Synergy of Sculpture and Architecture: Richard Bertman and Christina Lanzl in Dialogue
Christina Lanzl and Richard Bertman delve into the creative synergy between architecture and sculpture in the making and meaning of Bertman’s kinetic objects, wire sculptures and other works. With his wit, he invites the viewer to ponder the bright side of life while speaking to the humanity in all of us. To find and express humor in life and art is Bertman’s forte, a Renaissance man who launched his creative practice as co-founder of CBT Architects. Richard Bertman was in conversation with Christina Lanzl, BSA Placemaking Network co-chair and author of the recently released book Richard Bertman: The Sculptures.
Watch the video of The Synergy of Sculpture and Architecture: Richard Bertman and Christina Lanzl in Dialogue
June 24, 2019
Tools for Systemic Change: Assessing the Impact of The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
Greg Watson, Director for Policy and Systems Design at the Schumacher Center for a New Economics and former executive director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative presents equitable community development. The DSNI’s community land trust (CLT) is considered as one of the nation’s most powerful examples of the effectiveness of CLTs as a tool to facilitate the development of affordable housing in low-income communities. The Dudley Town Common, the Don't Dump on Us campaign, urban village visioning process established placemaking and community gathering opportunities as integral part of the project. Dudley PRIDE also known as "People and Resources Investing in Dudley's Environment" was created in to bolster placemaking in the neighborhood.
An extraordinary confluence of events led to the residents of the Dudley Street Community encompassing parts of Roxbury and Dorchester gaining control over the land and subsequently the development of their neighborhood that for decades had suffered decline resulting from racist activities and policies including redlining, disinvestment, abandonment that culminated in widespread arson-for-profit in the mid 1980s. For communities of color with little economic clout and a history of political and social marginalization, control over land is a significant source of power and empowerment for residents.
Is it possible to quantify the impact of the DSNI experiment? A spatial analysis of variables like homeownership rates (measured by owner-occupancy data), vacant lots, building values, land values, and foreclosures, shows that CLTs can stabilize neighborhoods by maintaining housing affordability. The tradeoffs with this model of “gentrification without displacement” are lower housing values and wealth accumulation. This kind of information will prove helpful to other economically stressed communities in Boston and elsewhere determine if such a strategy is a viable option for them.
Read the summary article, Placemaking in the Context of Affordable Housing: A Case Study. BSA News, July 11, 2019.
May 20, 2019
The Process of Art in Architecture
Over the past decades public artist Catherine Widgery has witnessed how the very idea of public art has been evolving. There has been a flowering of integrated art projects and a general recognition of the increased value brought by the inclusion of public art in any new construction project. Today commissions are often the product of a collaboration between the artist and design teams made up of architects, designers, technology experts and stakeholders as well as members of the community. All this requires skills and facilities very different from the traditional artist's role of working alone in a studio. Artworks are often interactive, using new technologies, materials and complex fabrication processes and the lines between artists, designers and architects has blurred.How is this changing the art? What are the risks and benefits? Catherine will speak to the way the current trends in public art have meant it is increasingly integrated into fabric of the built environment. We’ll discuss the way the computer is influencing both the design and production of artworks and the unique value that an artist’s intuitive approach can bring to sites and buildings. Examples of how the early involvement of artists on design teams can steer architectural projects in surprising ways will be part of the conversation.
Watch the video of The Process of Art in Architecture.
April 29, 2019
Opportunities For Public Art Through Placemaking
Elizabeth Keithline moderated a diverse panel of regional leaders in the field of public art on Opportunities For Public Art Through Placemaking. The evening provided an opportunity to learn more about current issues and trends in public art and creative placemaking. Bring your questions and contribute to an open dialogue moderated by Liz Keithline, artist, curator and Percent-for-Art administrator for the Rhode Island State Council On the Arts. She was joined by Greg Cook, Director of Marketing & PR at the Cambridge Arts Council and author of the popular Wonderland blog; Stephanie Fortunato, Director of the City of Providence Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism; artists Napoleon Jones-Henderson and Kari Percival; as well as Anita Lauricella, public art curator for the Boston Downtown Improvement District.
Watch the video of Opportunities For Public Art Through Placemaking.
March 25, 2019
Placemaking, Placekeeping and Ethnography: Placing Culture in the Public Realm
Gregory Jenkins reviewed the work he accomplishes as an arts administrator working in Somerville. Looking through an ethnographic lens to shape cultural work in the public realm, he discussed cultural context in the community and cross sector programming that informs the work of the Somerville Arts Council. The Council’s mission is “to cultivate and celebrate the creative expressions of the Somerville community." Through innovative collaborations and quality programming the SAC works to make the arts an integral part of life reflective of our diverse city. Somerville’s Street Art Project was featured on WBUR as one of “10 Public Art Installations to see” in 2018.
February 25, 2019
Intimate Public Spaces in Greater Boston: Landscape Architecture as Placemaking
Clara Batchelor, Principal of CBA Landscape Architects, shared the stories of select connective landscape designs serving adults and children in greater Boston. Particular attention will be paid to the narrative contexts and evolution of open spaces and parks, such as the Sidney Research Campus Public Plazas in Cambridge and the Paris Street Playground in East Boston. Find out about the impetus for redesigning the Deanna Cremin Playground in Somerville and Cambridge’s Galaxy Park at the eastern terminus of Main Street in Kendall Square. Some of the issues to be discussed are: What’s special about the land use or evolution of the project? When private businesses were involved, how did the public and private partnerships evolve and impact the design? For public parks, how was the community brought into the design process? How have the projects been received?
January 28, 2019
Our Beloved Fountain: Making Water Features Sustainable
Mike Igo of Aqueous Consultants, a sustainable water feature design expert, spoke about the dos and don’ts of water feature maintenance, including annual costs. Fountains are beloved features in many public places and contribute to quality of life while adding environmental benefits, particularly during hot summer months. However, many parks departments and commissioning bodies shy away from installing them due to the perceived high cost of installation and ongoing maintenance. Some recurring questions neighborhoods may face are whether alternative funding models can keep the water flowing if a city or town won’t perform regular upkeep. What are the impacts of a dormant fountain? What are the environmental effects, both positive and negative? Mike answered these questions, explained the typical pool, pass through and recirculating systems, and shared his insights on sustainable best practices.
Download Mike Igo's Sustainable Water Features Presentation