{"id":3515,"date":"2022-11-22T11:38:32","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T10:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theurbanmycelium.com\/?p=3515"},"modified":"2023-07-07T15:45:19","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T14:45:19","slug":"the-myths-of-placemaking-illustrated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theurbanmycelium.com\/fr\/the-myths-of-placemaking-illustrated\/","title":{"rendered":"The myths of placemaking illustrated"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you are a placemaker, you have probably heard many beliefs and misconceptions about the kind of work that you do.\u00a0Engaging people in the making of the city is key in creating better living environments – and more resilient communities. But it is often misunderstood – by professionals and non-professionals alike.<\/p>\n

Some say that it\u2019s all about communication. That it is inefficient, expensive or too time-consuming. That it is always the same who participate<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While some of these statements are just plain truth, others are beliefs that can easily be debunked.\u00a0Now, if we want to turn these stereotypes upside down, I believe we first have to make them VISIBLE.<\/p>\n

So during Placemaking Week Europe in Pontevedra<\/a>, I asked placemakers to share the myths they\u2019ve heard the most about their work, and I turned them into illustrations.<\/p>\n

It was a very interesting experience. And more than the visual result, I would like to share the process with you, and the questions it raises. If you missed your chance to share your own anecdotes, don\u2019t worry! You can also contribute to the growing visual library of placemaking myths, at the end of this article.<\/p>\n

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Photo credits: Mari\u0301a Blau<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The problem with beliefs<\/h3>\n

Before we dive into the myths of placemaking, let\u2019s get our definitions right. In this article, I use the terms \u201cmyth\u201d, \u201cstereotype\u201d or \u201cmisconception\u201d, but the underlying idea is the notion of belief<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Beliefs are assumptions we have about ourselves, other people, or the world around us. We take them for facts, often without question. They are formed throughout our life, based on the way we were raised, our knowledge, our life experiences, etc.<\/p>\n

For example, \u201cI don\u2019t know how to draw\u201d<\/em> is a belief I often hear in my work as a visual facilitator. Once people start learning and practicing simple visual elements, they realize it is accessible and they get the chance to reconsider their beliefs. (By the way, if you think you cannot draw, watch Graham Shaw prove you wrong in this amazing video<\/a>).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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We all have beliefs as human beings, and that\u2019s OK. Some of them are actually excellent drivers in life, for example \u201cI am capable\u201d<\/em> or \u201cthe world is a beautiful place, with treasure around every corner\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n

But others can cause:<\/p>\n