Staying connected with a friendly front yard

Porches are the silent heroes of our suburbs during the pandemic, enabling us to connect and interact with our communities without putting each other at risk.

The annual Global Porch Placemaking Week is back again from 27 September to 3 October and we’re encouraging Manningham residents to ‘activate their front porch’ and breathe life into our streets and neighbourhoods.

Since the start of the pandemic, residents have ‘activated’ their porches with projects that bring joy to the community, including decorating front windows with children’s artwork, teddy bears peering through windows, book exchange and chalk drawing.

Manningham Mayor Cr Andrew Conlon said there’s never been a more important time for connection than in times of lockdowns and restrictions.

“Porch placemaking could be a driving force in helping communities stay connected and foster comradery and neighbourliness,” he said.

“The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your ‘space’ into a ‘place’. No project is too large or too small.”

During Global Porch Placemaking Week, residents can pin drop their project onto an international map and share their project around the world.

To take part in the Global Porch Placemaking Week:

1. Create a project and turn your space (porch, garden, driveway, balcony etc) into a place
2. Add your project onto an interactive global map at porchplacemaking.com
3. Share your project using the hashtag #porchplacemaking and #activatemanningham and tag Manningham Council on Facebook or Instagram.

Manningham Council will be accepting entries between 13 September and 8 October.

Three locally sourced hampers will be awarded to the most creative projects before the end of October.

For Manningham's terms and conditions, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/porch-placemaking

For more information on Global Porch Placemaking Week visit porchplacemaking.com.

Image credit: James Rojas, Project for Public Spaces.