As I write there are at least 50 Christmas Markets underway in towns and cities across the UK, and many more in Europe and around the globe. They bring thousands of visitors, provide a boost to the tourist and hospitality industries and to local economies.  They seem to attract impressive visitor numbers and to be popular among residents, but what we know about their economic and social impact beyond the basic statistics of estimated visitor numbers, additional spending and jobs created is limited so let’s explore this phenomenon a little more.

Something about the onset of winter prompts me to take a long-term perspective when thinking about problems.

Living in the northern hemisphere, winter brings the end of the calendar year, which of course leads us to reflect back at least twelve months to assess recent events. Whether we like to admit it or not, we all keep our own annual scorecards.

The idea of meritocracy, in which individuals are selected, rewarded and succeed based on their abilities, skills, and achievements, is deeply embedded in the American ethos.

This round-up from the Project for Public Spaces connects people who share a passion for public spaces to ideas and issues, news, quotes, places, and events from the placemaking movement.