How many of us would love to stroll to an inviting public plaza in the evenings or meet up with friends at a nearby beer garden? Yet how many of our neighborhoods actually have these sorts of places in abundance? Building third places—social spaces that foster community interaction and productive engagement—doesn't need to be expensive or take years to enact. Better Block is a world renowned placemaking organization that's been successfully quick-building third places and safer streets across the continent for years.

In this session, Jonathan Zoccoli and Azael Alvarez, landscape designer and project manager, respectively, at Better Block alongside Carlee Alm-LaBar of Strong Towns, will teach practical strategies for creating third places and getting the community buy-in you need to do so. This session promises to be a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in building more productive places where everyone feels welcome.

Join us on October 31, 2024 at 12pm CT for this live session, or check out the recording afterward.

The course is worth 1 continuing education credit through the AICP.

Azael Alvarez


Jonathan Zoccoli


Carlee Alm-LaBar


Hop Aboard this 2024 Local-Motive Session


This session is part of our 2024 Local-Motive Tour, which features 10 action-oriented, short-form classes on subjects ranging from strengthening local businesses to creating better public engagement processes.

Check out the Round-Trip Ticket to unlock all 10 2024 Local-Motive sessions at an exclusive rate!