There is some sentiment that downtowns have become too homogenized, too clean, and too impersonal. To offset that, individuals and groups around the nation have begun various “guerilla placemaking” initiatives to bring some of the grit, color, and character back to their city centers.
(Boonton, NJ, May 15, 2013) — Guerilla placemaking initiatives are often low-cost, yet create a high-impact and unexpected vibrancy downtown with minimal municipal input.
One example featured in the May issue of Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletter is the Eye Love You project, which, “connects people with people, and people with places.”
The movement began in New Zealand, but has gone global. The premise of the project is this: it’s kind to make people smile; people and places come alive when we love them; and you are loved and you can love anyone or anything.
Participants show their love by first using their own eyes to look at places in a new way, and then giving various inanimate objects a personality by pasting eyes on them. Photos are then shared on the website and via the project’s Flikr account.
The May issue of Downtown Promotion Reporter includes a half-dozen more guerilla placemaking activities.
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About the Downtown Research & Development Center
For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.
The Group\'s main activities include publishing the widely influential Downtown Idea Exchange and Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.
Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com