When the Public Realm Is All You Have

  • A unique building becomes a hub for historic neighborhoods
    <strong>Ponce City Market</strong> <em>Atlanta, GA</em>

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

  • Crosstown_Concourse_2018_Charter_LooneyRicksKiss
    Crosstown_Concourse_2018_Charter_LooneyRicksKiss
    From former warehouse to "vertical village"
    <strong>Crosstown Concourse</strong>&nbsp; <em>Memphis, Tennessee</em>

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

  • Southside
    Ten acres that transformed a city #thisiscnu

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

  • Mercado District | Tucson, Arizona
    A timeless place from the ground up. #thisiscnu

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

  • Historic arcade houses young professionals
    <strong>Microlofts at The Arcade Providence</strong>&nbsp;<em>Providence, Rhode Island</em>

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

  • Jazz Market New Orleans Audience Seating
    Jazz Market New Orleans Audience Seating
    Trumpeting a cultural revival
    <strong>Peoples Health New Orleans Jazz Market</strong>&nbsp; <em>New Orleans, Louisiana</em>

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

  • A mixed-use center for town and gown
    <strong>Storrs Center</strong> <em>Mansfield, CT</em>

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

  • Expanding options for a car-oriented suburban area
    <strong>Village of Providence</strong> <em>Huntsville, AL</em>

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

  • From parking lot to urban tour-de-force
    <strong>UCLA Weyburn</strong>&nbsp;<em>Los Angeles, California</em>

    Build Great Places / #thisiscnu

April 14, 2020

In communities throughout the U.S., public spaces, including parks, plazas, and even sidewalks, have become a “home” for thousands of people. This phenomenon has become commonplace in nearly all major urban areas and has led to a variety of responses from elected officials, planners, and even private citizens; efforts that are at times both compassionate and punitive. In the face of a public health crisis, these efforts become especially important.

This webinar highlights strategies that can address the complex challenges presented by the use of public spaces in a manner never anticipated by city planners, architects, and designers - to “house” those in need. A humane, far-sighted response begins with design and continues with ongoing engagement as well as support services that people truly need and embrace. Presenters also address what homelessness can mean in the age of social distancing and “shelter in place” orders.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WEBINAR SPEAKERS:

All live On the Park Bench webinars qualify for one CEU credit from AICP (click here for more on tracking and reporting). Additionally, CNU-A members can earn one CEU credit for all live and recorded On the Park Bench webinars (click here for more information on tracking and reporting).

> Back to On The Park Bench: A Public Square Conversation

PAST WEBINARS
 

September 29, 2026
SEABROOK: EVOLUTION OF A NEW TOWN
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September 22, 2026
NEW URBANISM 2.0, PART 2
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August 25, 2026
NEW URBANISM 2.0
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August 18, 2026
AUTHOR'S FORUM: STREET DESIGN
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July 28, 2026
URBANISM AND CLIMATE ACTION
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June 10, 2026
MASTER STREET PLANS
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