Add some magic to a public space near you | David Engwicht | TEDxIndianapolis

Every human has a deep longing for home and a sense of place. But home is not where many people think it is, because home is a feeling­­ - not a location. David Engwicht is a place maker and founder of Creative Communities International, a social innovation incubator. The son of an itinerant gospel preacher, David grew up on the fringes with no sense of place. He shares his secrets for helping ordinary citizens add magic and soul to the public spaces in their neighborhood or town center.
David has over 25 years of experience in place making. Best known as the creator of the Walking School Bus and the 7 Day Makeover, he is a passionate designer, artist, author, communicator, and social inventor. David is also a founder and director of Creative Communities International, an organization dedicated to creating great public spaces. Nothing gives David greater joy than working with communities to breathe new life into dead public spaces and dead shopping streets. According to PPS in New York, David is “one of the world’s most inventive thinkers on creating vibrant public spaces.”
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@shuyixie5042]

this is so touching, I fall in love with him as he showed his talent and his family background and an important message of seeing our deflicts as potential asset.

[@babyabraham4197]

how the magic in you ignite the spark in others to achieve tremendous change in them and in their community . The accumulation of that potential create greater magic .

[@DougGrinbergs]

4:51 especially touching the way he describes a homeless person basking in human dignity

[@merrywalsh2809]

The throne sense of place was brilliant. Very good speaker. You hang on his every word.

[@heathergrey_]

this was so incredibly inspirational and moving - everyone is able to contribute to making their communities and neighborhoods better!

[@cinammondream]

I started crying at minute two and cried throughout. This was just phenomenal.

[@McFraneth]

Yes. I still remember lying in long grass and looking up at tree branches. Over 45 years ago. Unmown grass and hay bales are heaven for children. Landscape designers take note.

[@melanievezey6657]

Well done! A life with purpose; a story with heart.

[@Rainbowmotherspeaks]

I want this to be seen by millions!! this is such a beautiful Talk. Thank you!

[@flatboyashaf]

this is beautiful. i think placemaking is the key to create humane cities

[@powertrip]

Love it! Brilliant and heartwarming.

[@elsaireland]

Incredible beautiful, tears here...Will do my best, very motivational, Love it!!!! Thank you

[@LakeyProductions]

Absolutely love this!

[@antoinettewickham6767]

I just come across this TEDx Talk and I loved it. Turning our deficits into our greatest potential assets. Brilliant!!

[@tinabramley6515]

I am fortunate to live near one of David's amazing projects. He has opened up his own yard and created a public space (Civiosity Park). It is magical.

[@36paris]

Hi Tina, I’ve just moved to Bardon and discovered Civosity Park which is how I find myself watching this video. David has really opened my eyes after watching this and reading about some of his other work on placemaking. So the obvious next step is to start eating dinner with my partner in our front yard and see how we can connect with our new community. 👍🏻

[@tinabramley6515]

@36paris it's an inspiring place. Enjoy connecting with the locals 😃. Unfortunately I now live elsewhere,but I go to Mt Coot-Tha regularly

[@reshmyraphy5973]

Thank you... This was much needed for me as a soon to be architect !

[@janethofmann1401]

This is tender, hopeful and sweet.

[@HelloLovelyDigital]

This is amazing, I have always been inspired by placemaking and the creativity of so many people, but this talk is really very very touching. And I love tire art so much-I got the kids to paint some tires for a bench in our community garden. I will be sure to share everything I have heard here. Excuse me now I need to go outside and get busy!!

[@mostafarefath7446]

a delightful presentation. Enjoyed a lot!!

[@Daniel-jv1ku]

WOW, I'm speechless. I don't what to say, because it was too damn good.

[@melodiec8226]

Merci Mr David

[@indiaameye1417]

love this sooo much thank you!! ;) wheeee!!

[@BruceThomson]

Really good, as he usually is.

[@meghachowdhury5247]

How beautiful

[@tehreemahmad6682]

Loved every bit of this video!

[@saraharnold2056]

I quite enjoyed that, thank you

[@saranbhatia8809]

Love this!

[@recordlife8614]

It is very inspiring. As an architect and planner from China who has seen so much of the problems of the public space, can i translate into Chinese and post it on a China not－for－profit media so that the authority and planners can learn from it?

[@zoxlova4981]

David is amazing

[@allessfyrdikaz1482]

What a funny and creative genius!

[@reaganbowen9494]

this is so good!

[@FruitFanatic33]

I like you. You are a brilliant man!

[@DougGrinbergs]

A few hula hoops on a warm, sunny day can be pretty damn cool and fun, especially with some good tunes. (;-) (BYO phone, earphones, unless someone provides silent disco transmitter and headphones.)

[@valencafiero]

[@julvaniausman3288]

All you need to do is stop dreaming, stop planning, for God's sake stop going to committee meetings, and just creating

[@sarahxcollings]

This is a fascinating presentation, though I found the content about the homeless lady to be unfounded. If the lady had said this herself, it would be meaningful, but if he assuming then it seems a stretch.