Welcome to the very first in-person episode of EngagingCommunities (formerly known as EngagingCities Fireside Chats) the official podcast of the APA Community Engagement Interest Group.

Join host Kelly Hickler as she chats with Nora Bland and Laura Doherty from Cushing Terrell, a multidisciplinary design firm based in Denver. Together, they explore what community driven design really looks like in practice, from creative outreach methods to project wins (and missteps) that shaped better outcomes.

Don’t forget to join the Interest Group at https://apacommunityengagement.org It’s free and open to all!

Join Kelly on scene at the American Planning Association National Conference in Denver for a fun pop-up podcast.

Rik Adamski is the President of Ash & Lime, as well as a co-founder of the  Storefront Renaissance League. He emphasizes the importance of bottom-up, incremental approaches to planning, highlighting the significance of understanding and enhancing the human experience in urban spaces. He discusses the nuances of practical urban planning, from the importance of getting the details right to fostering community pride through small, impactful actions.

Rik underscores the importance of empowering local stakeholders. By engaging with community members and small business owners, planners can identify immediate actions that make a meaningful impact. Whether it's enhancing storefronts, introducing pop-up retail, or activating public spaces, Rik’s approach advocates for tangible results through iterative, community-engaged processes. This episode is rich with examples, principles, and actionable steps for policymakers, planners, and community leaders aiming to create vibrant, resilient places.

Contact

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikadamski

ASH+LIME: https://www.ashlime.com

Resources

https://storefrontleague.com

https://www.neighborhoodevolution.com

https://www.incrementaldevelopment.org

https://street-plans.com/our-firm/people

https://saveyour.town

Monte Anderson: https://www.monteanderson.org

 Marci Goodwin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcigoodwin

 Evan Snow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evansnowfl

 Kathleen Minogue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-minogue

APA Community Engagement Interest Group:

https://www.planning.org/divisions/groups/community-engagement