Tactical Urbanism aims to quickly improve an urban environment by changing physical elements or the programming of a space. Tactical urbanism projects use inexpensive and temporary materials to show the public a vision for how urban areas can look and be used. The hope is that the public will like what they see and invest in making the project permanent to bring long-term benefits to the community.
Tactical urbanists are often individuals who want to provide solutions to common community problems like poor signage, lack of bike lanes, missing crosswalks, or visually unappealing areas. Some of these techniques are illegal or considered graffiti because they are often done without permission from property owners or governments. However, many public and private organizations approve of tactical urbanism projects because of their low-risk and low-cost methods of engaging the public and improving civic life.
Tactical urbanism projects include
- Open Streets which promote walking, cycling, and other street activities that don’t involve cars;
- De-fencing or De-paving which remove physical barriers to communities and green space; and
- Pop-up cafes, parks, gardens, or stores which temporarily re-program vacant property.
PBJ Design believes in the effectiveness of tactical urbanism in bringing together communities to beautify spaces with art. Our completed projects are:
- Chalk Art Festivals in Kentville and Halifax
- Pop-up market in Granville Mall, Halifax
- Yarn-bombing on Argyle Street, Halifax
PBJ hopes that this style of urbanism becomes more popular in Nova Scotia because it is a great way to involve community members in experimental community planning. It can inspire the public to become more engaged in planning activities and push for innovative community designs and faster project implementation processes. When these projects are planned effectively, equally, and with strategic direction, they have the potential to create long-term change.Here is a complete guide to tactical urbanism: http://tacticalurbanismguide.com/