Overview & Purpose

The number and complexity of issues confronting local governments, community organizations and networks are rapidly increasing. There are significant differences in the capacity of local groups to deal with these issues and develop effective policies and efficiently manage resources. UW-Extension colleagues have concluded that all fields related to the development of community (broadly speaking) have undergone dramatic changes in the last 40 years. Community structures and organizations now need to know how to “play the game” and develop the “necessary expertise” to address community needs and build community capacity. All program areas of UW-Extension are positioned to lead processes and provide resources to our vast network of community networks in need of our assistance.

2025 “Outstanding Program Award” for Design Wisconsin

UW-Extension’s Design Wisconsin community visioning program received the “2025 Outstanding Program Award” at this year’s Community Development Society’s International Conference at Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York.

“The award is presented to a Community Development Society member or a group in recognition of his/her outstanding program utilizing the principles of good practice as adopted by the Society. The selection committee was particularly impressed by the high impact and longevity of the program for many communities throughout Wisconsin.” – CDS Awards Committee

UW-Extension would like to thank the Minnesota Design Team for trusting their concept with us and for the thousands of community members and hundreds of planning and design professionals who have shaped it into this amazing program.

Fun, Simple, & Effective Tools for Community Vitality & Placemaking

This “Toolbox” (pdf) contains an overview of seven tools used by UW-Extension:

• First Impressions (UW Webpage) :Community “secret shopper” exchange to provide visitor perspective.
  • First Impressions Guide & Report Example
• Business Walk: A simple and  effective  business  retention and  expansion program.
  • Business Walk Guide & Report Example
• Imageability Mapping: Adaptation of Kevin Lynch‘s technique for understanding how the community is put together and to identify areas for future investment.
• Capital Asset Inventory Tool: Assessment of community assets for development.
• Vision Informed Development: Community visioning exercise to identify development goals and priorities.
• S.W.O.T.(C.) Mapping: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats (Challenges) online mapping tool.
• Placemaking Assessment Mapping:  Online mapping tool for the 19 Principles of Placemaking