What does a place feel like when your nervous system trusts it?

In this episode of The Sidewalk Ballet, Chip talks with placemaking researcher, author, and practitioner Cara Courage for a conversation about the evolving field of placemaking, how it is understood, misunderstood, and why it matters.

Together they explore the relationship between people and place, the stories our environments carry, and the growing understanding of trauma-informed placemaking. From questions of belonging and care to memory, healing, arts, language and creative participation

What happens when places help us feel safe? What happens when they don't? And what responsibility do placemakers have in shaping those experiences?

Also in this episode, Chip reflects on the enduring fable of Stone Soup and the surprising role that soup has played throughout history as a tool for gathering, nourishment, connection, and care. The exploration of Soup leads to conversations with Amy Kaherl former Founder Director of Detroit Soup and Cristin Cooper from Coop’s Soup.

Episode Links

Dr. Cara Courage

The Routledge Handbook of Placemaking

Trauma Informed Placemaking

Long Live Placemaking, Placemaking is Dead Max Musicant and Shina Shayesteh Creative Placemaking Ann Markusen and Anne Gadwa

Coop’s Soup

Warm Cookies of the Revolution