The Baltimore County Department of Planning has recently unveiled its Placemaking Toolkit. The Placemaking Toolkit is a new resource designed to help community groups bring creative, place-based projects to life across the County.
What is placemaking? Placemaking is the turning of spaces into places. Baltimore County’s Department of Planning defines “placemaking” as a process that brings spaces to life in ways that deepen bonds between people and place, make neighborhoods more vibrant and connected, and nurture a sense of identity and belonging. These efforts are inherently collaborative and community-based and can take many forms, including events, activities, installations, public art, and programming. Whether it’s transforming a vacant corner into a community gathering spot or creating an artistic landmark that reflects local pride, placemaking gives residents the tools to shape their own surroundings.
The Placemaking Toolkit provides practical, accessible guidance for residents and local organizations who are eager to launch or grow placemaking initiatives. It features a series of How-To Documents that walk users through the nuts and bolts of developing and implementing placemaking projects.
Topics covered in the toolkit include:
- Navigating permitting requirements
- Finding potential funding opportunities
- Building participatory engagement strategies
- Installing murals and other public art, community and wayfinding/branding signs, and organizing events like concert series and farmers markets
The toolkit also includes an Interactive Map that highlights placemaking projects already taking place throughout Baltimore County. The map celebrates the creativity and energy of communities across the County while sharing stories and “lessons learned” from the people leading this work.
The Placemaking Toolkit is now available! Please use this link to access the toolkit and online hub: https://baltimore-county-