Laserfiche WebLink
Part Z. Project Understanding <br />"What attracts people most, it would appear, is other people." <br />• William "Holly" Whyte, urbanist/ planner/ writer <br />Downtowns and town centers across America are experiencing a renaissance <br />As more Americans choose to live and work in neighborhoods that are walkable, vibrant and activated, <br />communities like Navarre are planning revitalized public places that support businesses and restaurants, <br />welcome visitors to linger and explore, expand green space and opportunities for health and leisure, <br />exemplify safety and cleanliness, and attract and retain talent of all ages. <br />Enlivening town centers through the type of public engagement Navarre seeks- robustly enlisting citizens <br />and stakeholders in the planning process and benefiting from their contributions - creates more beautiful, <br />resilient, sustainable, socially stimulating and economically vibrant gathering places that provide health and <br />enjoyment for the whole community. <br />For Navarre - a residential, commercial and public epicenter in Orono - reimagining place must begin with <br />the people who will shape and sustain it. <br />This is the goal of placemaking. <br />With community-based participation at its center, placemaking is both an overarching idea and a hands-on <br />approach to the planning, developmerit and programming of public spaces. Placemaking capitalizes on a <br />community's strengths, inspiration and capacity to co -create a place that contributes to happiness and <br />wellbeing - engaging people where they are to activate a place they share. <br />Philosophy and Activation: <br />Placemaking is an ancient idea finding new form in our most progressive and civically minded cities. It is the <br />central marketplace and town square, reimagined. Placemaking is a process, and if done well, benefits both <br />community and individuals as it: <br />• Invites involvement <br />Amplifies connection <br />• Promotes social justice <br />• Stimulates creativity <br />• Fosters civic pride <br />• Advances ownership & advocacy <br />• Supports economic vitality <br />Orono seeks to Re -imagine Navarre as a vital downtown "commons" and seeks a robust and meaningful <br />public process to spark the development, activation and programming the community craves. <br />The ultimate social and economic goal, then, as Verve Consulting understands it and proposes, is to <br />invieorate the public spaces in Navarre's "town center" and enhance foundational y, the "experience" of <br />Navarre to improve its citizens' quality of life <br />5 <br />