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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.pps.org:80/info/aboutpps/?referrer=newsletter_navbar","20080503183247","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1209839567"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title> About PPS | Project for Public Spaces (PPS) </title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <meta http-equiv="CONTENT" content="Project for Public Spaces is a non-profit planning and design organization dedicated to preserving public spaces as the nexus of community life. Founded in 1975, PPS has worked with over 1000 communities throughout the United States and internationally to help make their public spaces more attractive, safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for all those who use them. Using a collaborative planning process, PPS works to grow plazas, parks, streets, public buildings, libraries, markets, waterfronts and transit facilities into centers of neighborhood life: places that can nurture a community's spirit and vitality and enhance its economic and social well-being."> <meta http-equiv="DISTRIBUTION" content="GLOBAL"> <meta http-equiv="DESCRIPTION" content="Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit urban planning and design organization, improves parks plazas civic squares transportation markets public buildings and architecture to build livable communities"> <meta http-equiv="KEYWORDS" content="Place community places sprawl smart growth new urbanism city cities civic architecture urban design Place-making books Streets street road Public Spaces public space Amenities Downtowns Town Centers Sense of Place parks park Plazas plaza Central Squares square Transit Facilities Train Stations transit stops transportation Livability livable context senstive design 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id="main_nav"> <li class="daddy"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/">About PPS</a> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/staff/">Who We Are</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/about">Our Mission</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/pdf/pps_brochure.pdf">PPS Brochure</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/ouroffice">Our Office</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/b_directors">Board of Directors</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/jobopenings">Jobs & Internships</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/member_organizations">Member Organizations</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/thirtieth_anniversary/timeline">30 Years of Placemaking</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/greatest_hits">PPS's Greatest Hits, Volume 1</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="daddy"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/services/">Planning and Design Services</a> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/services/our_approach/">Our Approach</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/services/why_choose_pps">Why Choose PPS</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/projects">Project Experience</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/services/current_projects">Where is PPS Working Today?</a></li>  </ul> </li> <li class="daddy"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/training/">Placemaking Training</a> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/training/info/httapa_training_course">"How to Turn a Place Around" Training</a></li> <li><a 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href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.google.com/u/projectforpublicspaces">Search</a></li> </ul> <h3>Program Areas</h3> <div id="program_area_nav"> <ul> <li id="parks_plazas_squares"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/parks_plazas_squares/">Parks</a></li> <li id="transportation"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/transportation/">Transportation</a></li> <li id="civic_centers"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/civic_centers/">Civic Centers</a></li> <li id="markets"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/markets/">Public Markets</a></li> <li id="downtowns"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/downtowns/">Downtowns</a></li> <li id="mixed_use"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/mixed_use/">Mixed-use <br>Development</a></li> <li id="campuses"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/campuses/">Campuses</a></li> <li id="squares"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/squares/">Squares</a></li> <li id="waterfronts"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/waterfronts/">Waterfronts</a></li>  </ul> <hr> </div> <div id="other_links"> <h3>Cross-Cutting Initiatives</h3> <ul>  <li id="great_cities"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/great_cities">Great Cities Initiative</a></li> <li id="placemaking_in_new_york"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/placemaking_in_new_york">Placemaking in New York</a></li> </ul> <hr> <h3>Special Features</h3> <ul> <li id="gps"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/">Great Public Spaces</a></li> <li id="imagedb"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/imagedb/">Image Collection</a></li> <li id="newsletter"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/"><em>Making Places</em><br>Newsletter</a></li> <li id="bulletin"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/bulletin/"><em>Making Places</em><br>Bulletin</a></li> <li id="forums"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www2.pps.org/forums/">Discussion Forums</a></li> <li id="news"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/news/">Places in the News</a></li> <li id="updates"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/updates/">PPS Project Updates</a></li> </ul> <hr> </div> <h3>PPS Favorites</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/issuepapers/great_cities_initiative">What If We Built Our Cities Around Places?</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/february2007/great_waterfronts">Great Waterfronts of the World</li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/press/articles_about/governing_mag">Pride of Place</a><br/> <em>Governing Magazine</em></li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/new_york_city_commentary/nyc_hall_of_shame">The Big Apple Hall of Shame</li> <li><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/placemakers/ajacobs">Placemaker Profile: Allan Jacobs</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="page"> <div id="page_header"> <div id="login"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/register/?return_url=/info/aboutpps/">Log In/Register</a>  </div> <div id="main-breadcrumb"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/">PPS.org Home</a> »    About PPS </div> <div id="section_header"> <img src="/web/20080503183247im_/http://www.pps.org/templates/pps/banners/pps_4" alt="Project for Public Spaces"/> <div id="searchform">  <form id="searchbox_012607899228218145519:lebvq0tns74" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/search"> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="012607899228218145519:lebvq0tns74"/> <input type="hidden" name="cof" value="FORID:11"/> <input name="q" type="text" size="21"/> <input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search"/> </form> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247js_/http://google.com/coop/cse/brand?form=searchbox_012607899228218145519%3Alebvq0tns74"></script>  </div> </div> </div> <div class="column" id="main">  <h1><span>About PPS</span></h1> <p>Project for Public Spaces is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build stronger communities. Founded in 1975, PPS embraces the insights of <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/placemakers/wwhyte">William (Holly) Whyte</a>, a pioneer in understanding the way people use public spaces. Today, PPS has become an internationally recognized center for best-practices, information, and resources about Placemaking.</p> <ul class="topic-contents"> <li><a href="staff/">Who We Are</a> Placemaking is a group effort - learn more about our interdisciplinary staff. </li> </ul> <ul class="topic-contents"> <li><a href="about"> Our Mission </a> About our work in Placemaking. </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/pdf/pps_brochure.pdf"> PPS Brochure </a> Download today and learn how PPS can help your community. </li> <li><a href="ouroffice"> Our Office </a> Where we are and how to get here. </li> <li><a href="b_directors"> Board of Directors </a> PPS leadership. </li> <li><a href="jobopenings"> Jobs & Internships </a> Opportunities for those passionate about Placemaking. </li> <li><a href="member_organizations"> Member Organizations </a> Organizations that have pledged their support to PPS. </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/thirtieth_anniversary/timeline"> 30 Years of Placemaking </a> Trace PPS's development with this timeline of our first 30 years. </li> <li><a href="greatest_hits"> PPS's Greatest Hits, Volume 1 </a> Read about our most influential accomplishments since our founding in 1975. </li> </ul> <hr> <p class="email_this"><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/getinvolved/membership_donate/">Support Great Places - Become a PPS Member</a></p> <p class="email_this"><a class="email_this" href="#" onclick="window.open('/email-this-page?url=/info/aboutpps/', 'email_popup', 'width=650,height=450');">Email this page</a></p> </div>  <div class="column" id="sidebar">    <div id="topics-nav"> <h3>About PPS</h3> <ul> <li id="staff"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/staff/"> Who We Are </a> </li> <li id="about"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/about">Our Mission</a> </li> <li id="http://www.pps.org/pdf/pps_brochure.pdf"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/pdf/pps_brochure.pdf">PPS Brochure</a> </li> <li id="ouroffice"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/ouroffice">Our Office</a> </li> <li id="b_directors"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/b_directors">Board of Directors</a> </li> <li id="jobopenings"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/jobopenings">Jobs & Internships</a> </li> <li id="member_organizations"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/member_organizations">Member Organizations</a> </li> <li id="http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/thirtieth_anniversary/timeline"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/thirtieth_anniversary/timeline">30 Years of Placemaking</a> </li> <li id="greatest_hits"> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/greatest_hits">PPS's Greatest Hits, Volume 1</a> </li> </ul> <hr> </div>    <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/getinvolved/making_places/newsletter"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247im_/http://www.pps.org/graphics/upo-pages/ad_newsletter_white145" border="0" alt="Subscribe to the PPS Newsletter"></a><br> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/pdf/pps_brochure.pdf"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247im_/http://www.pps.org/graphics/upo-pages/ad_brochure_white145" border="0" alt="Download the PPS Brochure"></a><br> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/training/info/httapa_training_course"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247im_/http://www.pps.org/graphics/upo-pages/ad145_trainingcourse_xlarge" border="0" alt="How to Turn a Place Around"></a><br> <a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/training/info/markets_training_course"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247im_/http://www.pps.org/graphics/upo-pages/ad145_markets_training_xlarge" border="0" alt="How to Create Successful Markets"></a><br> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/training/info/transportation_training_course"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247im_/http://www.pps.org/graphics/mini-ads/streets-as-places-ad" border="0" alt="Streets as Places Training Seminar"></a><br> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/products/Books_Videos/great_neighborhood_book"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247im_/http://www.pps.org/graphics/upo-pages/ad_neighborhoodbook" border="0" alt="The Great Neighborhood Book"></a><br>   </div>  </div>  <div id="footer"> <dl id="welcome"> <dt>Welcome</dt> <dd>Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities.</dd> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/">About PPS</a></dd> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/staff/">Who We Are</a></dd> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/about">What We Do</a></dd> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/projects/">Our Project Experience</a></dd> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/jobopenings">Jobs & Internships</a></dd> </dl> <dl id="contactus"> <dt><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/aboutpps/ouroffice">Contact Us</a></dt> <dd>700 Broadway, 4th Floor<br>(at 4th Street)<br>New York, NY 10003</dd> <dd>P: (212) 620-5660</dd> <dd>F: (212) 620-3821</dd> <dd>E: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/mailto:pps@pps.org">pps@pps.org</a></dd> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/">www.pps.org</a></dd> </dl> <dl id="getinvolved"> <dt><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/getinvolved/">Get Involved</a></dt> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/getinvolved/making_places"><strong>FREE</strong> <em>Making Places</em> Newsletter</a></dd> <dd><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080503183247/http://www2.pps.org/forums">Discussion Forums</a></dd> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/getinvolved/membership_donate">Donate to PPS</a></dd> <dd><a href="/web/20080503183247/http://www.pps.org/info/getinvolved/membership_donate">Become a Member</a></dd>  </dl> <p id="copyright">© 2008 Project for Public Spaces, Inc. 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