Frequently Asked Questions

What is Placemaking Week?

Placemaking Week is an international gathering of placemaking thinkers and practitioners. In 2017 Placemaking Week consists of 5 days of programming - October 10th will be a series of placemaking workshops throughout the city, October 11th will be opening day with a morning meet-up, followed by day tours to nearby cities and workshops ending with a nighttime event, October 12th/13th will be two full days of programming held at Pakhuis de Zwijger with events and two meals provided each day, and October 14th will be a day of local workshops and tours. 

When and where is Placemaking Week 2017?

2017’s Placemaking Week will be held on October 10th - 14th, 2017 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

How do I register for this event?

Registration for Placemaking Week is now open! Learn more and register here

Some side events and workshops may require separate registration due to capacity. All registrants will receive an email at the end of September to register for side events. Side events, workshops and tours can now be found on our online schedule here. We may also announce some events via the conference website, via our newsletters, and on social media in the coming weeks.

What opportunities will there be to speak at the conference? Will there be a Call for Proposals?

The Call for Proposals has now closed! All applicants have been informed of their status. If you for some reason submitted an application and have not heard back from us, please email info@placemakingweek.org for more information.

We are still currently accepting side event proposals. Learn more about what qualifies as a side event here.

Where can I learn about conference updates?

We will continue to update www.placemakingweek.org (including this FAQ page) with all conference updates. Make sure to sign up for our Placemaking Week newsletter to receive up-to-date information on registration, program content, speakers, hotels and travel, events and other news.

Is there a discounted or group rate? What about scholarships?

If you are coming with a group, please contact info@placemakingweek.org for more information.

The scholarship application has now passed - the deadline was Tuesday, August 1st, 2017 at 5pm EST. We only have a limited number available to help with registration fees for those who demonstrate financial need. Applications have been reviewed, and all applicants have been notified.

What day should I arrive in Amsterdam?

In order to attend all pre-conference events, we recommend arriving on or before October 10th (Placemaking workshops will be taking place around Amsterdam on October 10th, but it is not mandatory to attend). Official opening day events will take place on October 11th, with an early morning registration at Pakhuis de Zwijger- this early morning registration is mandatory if you signed up and are participating on a City Expedition that day.

What accommodations are available for the conference?

We have reserved a limited number of hotel rooms at three hotels near Pakhuis de Zwijger so that there is some ease of booking in advance. Please visit the Practical Information page for more information. Note: Instructions on how to book using a code will be included in your registration confirmation.

Should the conference block fill, and should you not be able to book in the hotels we recommend otherwise (or, just want something a little different), there are a number of hotels ranging from budget to boutique within walking distance from the main conference venue. We will post other alternative recommendations on the practical information page as we see fit.

What are the conference themes this year?

The main four themes will focus on Placemaking & Innovation, Equity, Health & Well-being, Place-led Development & City Making, and Streets as Places & Transportation.

Are there any side events or networking opportunities I need to be aware of?

Yes! We will be hosting a range of networking and social events as part of the full program. Please stay tuned as we release this information in the next few weeks.

Who should I contact about sponsorship opportunities at Placemaking Week?

Looking to sponsor Placemaking Week? We'd love to hear from you! For more information, please contact the conference manager Juliet Kahne at info@placemakingweek.org

Who should I contact about volunteering at the event?

We are not recruiting volunteers at this time, however if you wish to volunteer at the conference in Amsterdam either in the pre-conference process or on the actual days of the event, please contact: info@placemakingweek.org and we can keep your details on file should anything change.

I’m not from Europe—will the content be relevant to me?

Absolutely! We were thrilled to receive a global response to the call for proposals. We encourage placemakers from all over the world to attend this event in order to engage with a multinational group of practitioners and researchers who each will bring their own knowledge and expertise to the table.

Who will be presenting at the event?

We are currently announcing speakers and sessions - all updates will be included on our Program & Speakers page here.

What is the best way to get to the conference?

To reach Amsterdam, most attendees will fly into Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. A direct railway line can take you from the airport to the city center. You will also be able to take a tram, Metro, shuttle or a taxi to your hotel.

For event days, we recommend that you hire a bike to get around the city easily. However, the main venue is walking distance to our recommended hotels (between 10-30 min), or accessible by Tram or Metro, should you not wish to cycle. We will provide more information on bike rentals closer to the conference, but many hotels often provide them, and there are a variety of rental locations around the city.

Click here for more general information on getting to and from Amsterdam.

I’m not a member of the Placemaking Leadership Council, can I still attend?

Of course! We encourage everyone to join the Placemaking Leadership Council, but you do not have to join, or be a current member, to attend. However we encourage you to join - you can do so here!

I do not live in the Netherlands, will I need a visa to attend the conference?

Possibly. Whether you can enter the Netherlands without a visa depends on your nationality.

Foreign nationals from member countries of the European Union, European Economic Area and a select few other countries are exempt from the visa requirement. This includes citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others (full list here, DOCX, 17KB). We encourage registrants from these countries to still review the conditions for visa-free travel, as they may require updating your passport.

If your country is on the list of countries whose nationals require a visa (full list here, PDF, 159 KB), you will need to apply for a short stay or Schengen visa. You can use this website to find a step-by-step guide for your respective country of origin. The visa process may take up to 60 days, please plan to apply no later than 15 working days in advance.

We’re happy to assist, and can provide an official letter of invitation. Just contact one of our team members at info@placemakingweek.org.

Can I pay for my registration through an invoice addressed to my organization?

To ensure you get the lowest registration fee possible, we suggest purchasing your ticket first and asking for reimbursement from your organization. However, if your organization insists on an invoice for payment, please fill out our invoice request form, available here.

I’m interested in hosting a side event. How can I arrange this?

We’re glad to hear it! Please visit the Side Events page to learn more.

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