Placemaking Week sessions and receptions will take place in a number of special sites around Downtown Detroit! We’ll feature two downtown public space gems—Campus Martius Park and Beacon Park—as our two Parties in the Park! We will hold sessions in iconic venues like Michigan Central, Newlab, and The Department at Hudson’s, and you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a list of mobile workshops, held in various locations around the city that you will reach by foot or shuttle.
Each day’s schedule will be different, so check and familiarize yourself with the online program Whova in advance to know where you’re going and how to get there.
We strive to make conference activities accessible within 10-30 minutes by public transit and within walking/biking/rolling distance of the main hotels. Note that Downtown Detroit has the People Mover, which is a free public transit service that loops around downtown!
Before the event, we will provide you with the recommended routes and methods to reach each conference venue or activity, which may or may not include public transit or chartered buses.
Hotel room blocks are available during Placemaking Week 2026. We strongly recommend that you reserve your rooms as soon as possible due to limited availability.
If these options do not work for you, there are many alternative places to stay in Downtown Detroit, including a variety of hotels and short-term rental sites like Airbnb. You can check out Visit Detroit to learn more about the area and for more ideas on where to stay.
If you are arriving by plane to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), we recommend either using rideshare or taking public transit from there.
While there are multiple modes of transportation suggested in the link to consider, the most popular way to get to Downtown Detroit from the airport is by taking the Detroit Air Express (DAX), an express bus service that costs only $8 and runs at least every hour.
We strive to make conference activities accessible within 10-30 minutes by public transit and within walking/biking/rolling distance of the main hotels.
Before the event, we will provide you with the recommended routes and methods to reach each conference venue or activity , which may or may not include public transit or chartered buses.
The conference will keep you busy, but we know placemakers also like to do their own thing!
Closer to the event, we will provide you with local recommendations near conference venues so that you can plan your stay in advance. In the meantime, we encourage you to get familiar with Detroit’s neighborhoods! Visit Detroit shares great spots to dine, places to explore, and activities to do around the city.
If you are coming to the USA from another country, please review all information about visa requirements for traveling to the USA.
If you are traveling from another country, you may need a visa, or you may qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). Some visitors, such as visitors from Canada, may only need their valid passport.
If you require a visa, we urge you to apply as soon as possible. You can use the Visa Wizard on the US Department of State’s website to see the options available to you, and there is also a resource that shares approximate wait times for a visa.
We can provide speakers and attendees with a Proof of Attendance Letter after you register for the conference, but we cannot assist with visa applications.
If you are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, we kindly ask that you refrain from attending the event. Taking appropriate precautions helps ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees. Please also review Detroit’s up-to-date guidance on COVID-19.
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Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, Project for Public Spaces has spent the past five decades bringing some of the most successful public places in the world to life. Today, it remains committed to putting community participation at the center of everything it does, from placemaking partnerships with corporations and foundations to workshops, trainings, conferences, on-the-ground design and planning services, and more. The interdisciplinary team has helped over 3,500 communities in 52 countries create inclusive places that change society for the better. Project for Public Spaces is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
