The perception that innovation costs money or requires technology often deters local governments from pursuing new practices. Sometimes innovation is merely using a new or creative method. Thatâs exactly what the City of Charlotte sought to accomplish with the Placemaking Grant Program. It puts innovation in the hands of the community.
In addition to addressing known community issues, the initiative took a holistic approach to educate and empower the community to become advocates for themselves. These are a few steps Vincent Wong and the association took to foster a model of shared governance.
According to Project for Public Spaces, placemaking ârefers to a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm in order to maximize shared value.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, local governments in North Carolina are canceling, postponing, modifying and avoiding gatherings of people. This creates issues for local governments that are required by North Carolina statute to conduct public hearings and meetings to remain in compliance with state law and local ordinances.