Who we are
Common Place Practice is a civic strategy and placemaking consultancy that helps organizations turn ideas into initiatives that shape communities.
Founded by urban planning practitioner Jason Su, the practice supports nonprofits, foundations, and civic partners working to launch new initiatives, expand organizational capacity, and bring public realm projects to life.
His experiences revealed how many organizations have strong missions and ambitious ideas but lack the internal capacity, strategic clarity, or implementation expertise to move from concept to execution.
Common Place Practice helps bridge that gap.
With experience spanning nonprofit leadership, public space activation, and urban design strategy, we work at the intersection of civic innovation, placemaking, and social entrepreneurship. Engagements range from launching new initiatives and strengthening organizations to planning and delivering projects that bring communities together.
Common Place Practice works primarily across Silicon Valley and the greater Bay Area, partnering with organizations that want to build vibrant public spaces, strong civic networks, and lasting community impact.
Founder, Common Place
Jason Su is an urban planning practitioner and civic strategist with extensive experience launching community initiatives, leading nonprofit organizations, and activating public spaces.
He previously served as Executive Director of the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, where he helped expand the organization’s programs, partnerships, and civic impact while advancing the revitalization of San José’s central greenway.
Jason’s work has focused on connecting public space, community identity, and civic innovation. His initiatives have included artist residency programs, workforce development programs for unhoused residents, public art and street activation strategies, and new models for downtown placemaking.
His professional experience includes leadership and advisory roles across the nonprofit, civic, and public sectors, including:
Executive Director, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
San José Network Convener, Reimagining the Civic Commons
Street Life Manager, San José Downtown Association
Faculty Member, San José State University Urban Planning Department
Distinguished Visitor in Social Entrepreneurship, Stanford University
Streetscape Project Management Team, San Francisco Department of Public Works
Jason’s work has launched and scaled initiatives that have become lasting civic programs, from public art and placemaking projects to community workforce initiatives and park activation programs.