CNU MIDWEST
Financial Support

CNU Midwest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on donations to work in our communities across the Midwest. If you're interested in supporting CNU Midwest's efforts, consider making a donation.

Donate to CNU Midwest

Park(ing) Day

Park(ing) Day, which falls on September 15th this year, is an annual global event where parking spaces are temporarily transformed into vibrant public spaces. By reclaiming these spaces, we can showcase the potential for alternative uses that prioritize people over cars. It's a fantastic opportunity to spark conversations, inspire creativity, and reimagine our urban landscapes.

How can you get involved?

1. Organize a Park(ing) Day installation: Gather a group of like-minded individuals and transform a parking space into a mini-park, complete with greenery, seating, and interactive elements. Use this opportunity to engage passersby, share information about CNU Midwest, and spark conversations about urban design.

2. Find a Park(ing) Day near you and stop by. Visit My Parking Day to find an event being hosted near you!

3. Social media campaign: Utilize the power of social media to spread the word about these events. Share pictures and stories of your Park(ing) Day installations or your car-free commute experiences. Use hashtags such as #Park(ing)Day, #WorldCarFreeDay, and #CNUMidwest to connect with a broader audience and inspire others to join the movement.

Remember, our collective efforts can make a significant difference in shaping the future of our cities. By participating in Park(ing) Day, we can showcase the potential for more sustainable, people-oriented urban environments.

ABOUT CNU MIDWEST

The American Midwest sits at the intersection of great places and great people. From the Great Lakes to the rivers, to the cornfields of Indiana and the foothills of Appalachia, the Midwest has consistently defined the heart of Americana. With its rich and human-scaled urban legacy, affordable cost of living, and access to critical resources, Midwestern cities and towns represent one of the greatest opportunities to pursue the next frontiers of the New Urbanism.

CNU Midwest is the regional chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) serving the states and cities that border the Ohio River and beyond—the nation's first corridor of westward expansion. Once the home of the industrial revolution, Midwestern towns and cities are well-positioned to grow in our current urban renaissance. As a leading voice in this renaissance, CNU Midwest is a diverse group of professionals dedicated to promoting the value that results from great placemaking through traditional and new approaches to:

Reclaiming public space for people,
Reactivating and reconnecting neighborhoods as the vibrant building block of towns and cities, and
Championing urban development that is enduring, adaptable, and human-scaled.

"PEOPLE MAKE CITIES, AND IT IS TO THEM, NOT BUILDINGS THAT WE MUST FIT OUR PLANS."

-Jane Jacobs

The ultimate goal is the reimagining and repopulation of our urban cores and inner-ring neighborhoods. Starting at the level of the street and continuing up through the neighborhood, town, city, and region, we encourage the development of great, equitable, urban places where all people can enjoy all aspects of daily life.