The Social Life Project aims to ignite a renaissance of community connection in public spaces around the world. Launched in 2018 by two of the founders of Project for Public Spaces (PPS), Fred Kent and the late Kathy Madden, the Social Life Project serves as a global resource center for placemaking, sharing success stories and wisdom from communities worldwide through its online publications, presentations, exhibits, and catalytic projects.
Growing out of Fred Kent’s early work with William H. (“Holly”) Whyte and inspired by his Social Life of Small Urban Spaces book and film, the Social Life Project pays homage to Holly’s approach of analyzing how people use public spaces and communicating lessons from successful public spaces that invite and inspire vibrant social life for everyone.
Social Life Project contributors bring their decades of experience with public spaces to create insightful, stimulating, and visually rich articles, presentations, and exhibits that bring their ideas to life. In its communications and catalytic project work, the Social Life Project collaborates closely with its sister program within the Placemaking Fund — PlacemakingX — a global network of leaders who accelerate placemaking as a way to create healthy, inclusive, and beloved communities.
Together, the Social Life Project and PlacemakingX are at the forefront of the placemaking movement, leading global summits, workshops, and trainings that support its spread in communities around the world.
If you are interested in collaborating or supporting our cause, please contact us.
Social Life Project Team
Steve Davies
Ethan Kent
Josh Kent
Tayana Panova
Katherine Peinhardt
Meg Bradley
Giselle Sebag
Support our Work
Help us accelerate and amplify the cause of public space and placemaking for global impact.
More info
Tayana Panova
Fred Kent
June 2019