How to design a placemaking project for Canada’s main streets

Many Canadian main streets are facing empty storefronts, lower foot traffic, and fewer reasons for people to stay and spend time. A well-designed placemaking project can help by turning underused public spaces into active, welcoming places that support local businesses and community life. Programs like My Main Street — Community Activator fund projects that create lasting social and economic benefits in defined commercial districts.

Placemaking is not about one-off beautification. It is about designing experiences that bring people back to your main street, again and again.

Key elements of a strong placemaking project

A successful placemaking project for a Canadian main street has four main building blocks: place, people, purpose, and plan. Funders look for all four.

Define your place

Your project must be tied to a specific geographic area, such as a main street or commercial district.

For My Main Street — Community Activator, this is a requirement. Projects must be located in a clearly defined main street or commercial area, not spread across an entire city or region.

Be specific:

Name the street or district
Define the boundaries (for example, three blocks between two intersections)
Explain current challenges, such as vacant units or low pedestrian traffic

This helps funders see the direct impact of your work.

Design for people, not just space

Good placemaking starts with how people use a space.

Strong projects often include:

Community events that draw people in
Temporary seating or patios that encourage people to linger
Murals or public art that reflect local culture
Activation of vacant or underused storefronts or lots

These project types are explicitly supported under the Community Activator stream. Show how different groups will use the space, including families, seniors, youth, and visitors.

Projects that meaningfully benefit equity-deserving groups are strongly encouraged. If your project supports Indigenous communities, newcomers, or other underrepresented groups, explain how and why.

Connect to local economic impact

Placemaking is not just cultural. It must support the local economy.

Funders want to see:

How increased foot traffic will benefit nearby businesses
How events or installations encourage repeat visits
How the space will support small businesses over time

Under My Main Street — Community Activator, projects must demonstrate lasting economic and social benefits, not just short-term activity.

Include simple success measures, such as:

Estimated increase in visitors during events
Number of local businesses involved
Reduction in vacancy or increased use of empty spaces

Build a realistic project plan and budget

Your idea must be doable.

For the Community Activator program:

Funding ranges from $25,000 to $250,000
Funding can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs
Funding is non-repayable

This means you do not need to repay the funding, and you can budget for the full eligible cost of your project. Your budget should be fully costed and matched to a clear timeline.

GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and project type in seconds, especially if your placemaking project includes multiple phases.

My Main Street — Community Activator: How it supports placemaking

My Main Street — Community Activator is a federal program designed specifically for community-based placemaking.

Key program facts:

Eligible applicants: Organizations leading placemaking initiatives in defined main streets or commercial districts
Eligible projects: Events, murals, temporary patios, and reactivation of vacant or underused spaces
Funding amount: $25,000 to $250,000
Cost coverage: Up to 100% of eligible project costs
Funding type: Non-repayable
Status: Open at time of writing

This program works best for organizations that already have strong local partnerships and a clear plan for long-term impact.

See also: My Main Street – Community Activator Program: How to Apply

Common mistakes to avoid

Treating placemaking as a one-time event
Funders want lasting impact. A single weekend event without follow-up or reuse plans is weak.

Being vague about location
Saying “downtown” is not enough. You must clearly define the street or district.

Missing success measures
Applications often fail because they do not explain how success will be measured.

Not budgeting for full eligible costs
Some applicants underestimate their eligible costs or do not realize the program can cover up to 100% of these expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can apply for My Main Street — Community Activator funding?
Eligible applicants are organizations leading community-based placemaking projects in defined main street or commercial districts.

Q: What types of placemaking projects are eligible?
Eligible projects include community events, murals, temporary patios, and reactivation of vacant or underused spaces.

Q: How much funding can a placemaking project receive?
Projects can receive between $25,000 and $250,000, covering up to 100% of eligible project costs.

Q: Is the Community Activator funding repayable?
No. Funding under this program is non-repayable, so applicants do not need to plan for repayment.

Q: Do projects supporting equity-deserving groups get priority?
Yes. Projects that meaningfully benefit equity-deserving groups are strongly encouraged.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your business or organization’s placemaking goals.

Next steps

Designing a placemaking project for Canada’s main streets starts with people, place, and a clear plan for long-term impact. If your project aligns with programs like My Main Street — Community Activator, the next step is confirming eligibility and building a strong funding mix. GrantHub helps you identify relevant grants, compare requirements, and focus your effort where it has the best chance of success.

How to design a placemaking project for Canada’s main streets