Reclaiming Public Realm

In smaller towns public amenities, while they exist, have fallen short of world-class; they are disconnected and scattered throughout the urban fabrics. At C&Partners, we believe that it is time to reclaim public realms.

‘Placemaking’ is not a new concept; it is a process that began with the first human settlements, each symbolically marked to represent a community—citizens working together to improve their local environment. Today, as architects and planners, we have a responsibility to strengthen the connection between people and the places they share through design. It is our belief that ‘Placemaking’ refers to a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm in order to maximize shared values. More than just promoting better urban design, ‘Placemaking’ facilitates creative patterns of use, paying particular attention to the physical, cultural, and social identities that define a place while supporting its ongoing evolution.  

Recently, in our projects, we consider the site to be an anchor for all public amenities that surround it. We try to, as often as possible, propose and plan for the site to establish connections, reach deep into the urban centres, and draw out residents through a series of well-thought out bike paths and walkways. We also propose various programming to rejuvenate the public amenities with the goal of carving out sustainable and enjoyable public spaces in cities and towns in Ontario. These programs vary depending on the geographical location and the community in which the project is situated, however, an example would be smart playgrounds that use innovative materials such as photocatalytic titanium dioxide coating that sterilizes surfaces. The use of this material reduces the need for water and harsh chemicals to wash surfaces. We also propose that playgrounds include high-performance track surfaces that would make exercise more comfortable for older adults. Moreover, it is our intention to bring back the waterfront to citizens of towns and cities that are adjacent to water by bringing a community together closely connected to the one and only life force: water.