The Placemakers Exchange

Join Portland State University’sPlacemakers Exchange on May 20th in the Smith Student Union Ballroom.
Visit the PLACEMAKING page for all of the event details.
ROUNDTABLE PANELISTS
This highlight of the event brings together the OGs and the upstarts, the nerds and the community developers to share honest, "messy" real-world success stories about implementing high-impact urban interventions:

• Matthew Claudel: Founder & CEO, Field States, bringing expertise in "adaptive urbanism".
• Lizzy Caston: Co-Manager, Alberta Last Thursday & Senior Associate withLeland Consulting, sharing strategies on building economic and community resilience.
• Ryan Al-Schamma: Architectural Designer at GBD Architects & Founder of Stay ON the Grass, leading the charge on "tactile activations" and grassroots re-greening.
• David Raycroft: Co-founder, Geek Week PDX, connecting local business culture with community building.
• Lisha Shrestha: Executive Director, Division Midway Alliance, offering deep insights into fostering cultural belonging in SE Portland.
• Matt Wagner: Founder, Creative Neighborhoods Pickathon Non-Profit, exploring how creative programming can drive neighborhood pride.
  

POTENTIAL DISCUSSION AREAS

• Creating a Culture of Belonging: Developing equity-driven, community-centered strategies to make PSU a place where people want to stay, show up, and belong.
• The 18-Hour Neighborhood: Strategies for retail, evening lighting, and safe navigation to make campus a destination, not just a commute.
• Breezeways & Plazas: Fresh activation and connection strategies for our unique "Breezeways" and transit-adjacent plazas.
• District Building (Long-term Placekeeping): Addressing fragmented campus identities by focusing on cohesive "Districts" (e.g., the Oak Savanna District).
• "Low-Barrier" Interventions & Grassroots Placemaking: Fostering community through flexible, low-cost, student-led interventions in underutilized spaces.

Info: Join us in the Smith Student Union Ballroom, located on the third floor, for a gallery of PSU placemaking projects

Info: Candid dialogue featuring community placemaking leaders

Info: Facilitated, collaborative working sessions with rapid-fire synthesis from each of the breakout groups

Info: Guided site visits to PSU’s existing & potential opportunity areas

Info: Tours end at the new Dog Park for an Opening Celebration (SW Market & 11th)

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher PSU Planning, Sustainability, & Logistics Office