PlacemakingUS, in collaboration with Placemaking Mexico, is dedicated to sharing our explorations and insights across our cultures and countries.

Oaxaca
Placemaking Learning Trip

Embark on a placemaking learning journey to Oaxaca during the vibrant Guelaguetza festival, a time when the city and its surrounding regions come alive with the intricate indigenous weaves of culture and ancient traditions. This exploration delves into the heart of Oaxaca, where the colonial splendor of the city converges with the rich heritage of the indigenous rural and pre-Hispanic areas.

As we traverse this diverse landscape, we will deepen our appreciation for the resilient communities shaping the land and being shaped by it, preserving their ancestral ways while navigating contemporary challenges. This journey enriches our understanding of the vital functions of community squares, the role of art and culture, and transcending the urban-rural divide to discover the life blood of the city.

​Celebrate the Guelaguetza, where the past and present intertwine, as villages representing each of the state's bioregions march into the city with their unique culture and cuisine, fostering a profound understanding of the dynamic interplay between tradition, modernity, and the vibrant public spaces that shape Oaxaca's evolving narrative.

Itinerary:

• Thurs, July 25 - Pre-Event: Welcome Drinks and Bites
• Fri, July 26 - Mezcal Ancestral, Natural Beauty, Traditional Handicrafts
• Sat, July 27 - Ancient Urbanism and Pre-Hispanic Cooking
• Sun, July 28 - Traditional Markets, Public Art, Festive Dinner
• Mon, July 29 - Oaxaca Placemaking Symposium
• Tues, July 30 - Placemaking Mexico Stories, Sites & Workshops
• Wed, July 31 - PlacemakingX Global Agenda Development: Indigenous Placemaking, Streets as Places, Public Markets, Urban Parks as Community Places, Rural Placemaking, Placemaking for Children & Youth, Placemaking with Nature, Local Food Economies, Regenerative Tourism & Place Tourism and many more.​

Themes:

• Narratives and Cultural Competency: Workshops, direct experience and training to understand Indigenous histories and futures, colonialism, and to foster cultural competency.
• Designing with Heritage and Nature: Learn from practitioners integrating Indigenous and cultural design principles and bio-regionalism into urban planning and activation.
• Cultural Festivals, Art and Economy: Promote Indigenous cultures via public art installations, handicrafts, narrative and cultural heritage festivals.

Team:

• Guillermo Bernal, Fundación Placemaking México, Founding Director
• Luciana Renner, Fundación Placemaking México, Executive Director
• Ryan Smolar, PlacemakingUS, Food Placemaking Expert
• Madeleine Spencer, PlacemakingUS, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Ethan Kent, PlacemakingX, Executive Director

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July 25 - 31, 2024

Oaxaca, particularly during the Guelaguetza festival, offers valuable lessons in placemaking that can be applied globally.

Oaxaca's cultural heritage foster a strong sense of community and place. The Guelaguetza festival celebrates indigenous and adapted cultures through dance, music, traditional attire, and food, promotes local pride and reinforces cultural identity, essential elements for creating resonant and attractive places.

This time of year brings Oaxaca's diverse bio-regional cultures and village life to the central city creating a people-led sense of ownership, inclusion and belonging that resonates with Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote, "Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war."
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Economically, the festival demonstrates how cultural events can stimulate local economies by attracting tourists, supporting local businesses, artisans, and vendors, and creating sustainable economic opportunities. The transformation of public spaces, from streets to plazas, for the festival showcases the flexible and adaptive use of public areas to accommodate various activities and foster community interactions. Temporary installations and decorations during the Guelaguetza inspire creative activation of spaces for specific events and celebrations.

Moreover, the festival serves as an intergenerational educational experience, promoting understanding and appreciation of Oaxaca's rich cultural heritage and facilitating cultural exchange by attracting international visitors. This enhances global awareness and fosters a sense of global community.

The term "Guelaguetaza," translates to mean "Mutual Aid," and Oaxaca is a critical place for exploring the balances of sustainable development, through its agricultural, and architectural practices and customs. Resilient Oaxacan ​communities enmeshed in local traditions and self-sufficiency are seeking ways to help them withstand economic and social challenges through solidarity and diversity.

The rich artistic heritage of Oaxaca, reflected in public murals and artisanal markets, shows how integrating art into public spaces can enhance the aesthetic and cultural value of an area.

The infusion of natural elements in public spaces, buildings and the preservation of surrounding environs contributes to the well-being of the community, creating healthy, livable environments. A holistic approach, considering economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors, is key to successful placemaking, as demonstrated by Oaxacan communities. By learning from Oaxaca's example, placemakers can learn more about vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities that celebrate cultural heritage and foster a strong sense of place.

Note: The itinerary is subject to change based on availability and unforeseen circumstances. Participants are encouraged to bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and any personal items they may need for the weekend.
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Please note that the price does not include international transportation or any additional expenses incurred outside of the mentioned inclusions. Participants are responsible for obtaining necessary travel documents, such as passports, visas, and travel insurance.

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Donate to Scholarships

​Help us send someone on this trip -- PlacemakingUS provides discounted and free learning scholarships to those who need them. Your donation helps send a placemaker to one of our online or in-person convenings. Since 2022, we provided over $5,000 in learning sponsorships.