This Tactical Urbanism guide outlines tools and case studies for quick, easy, cheap, fun, and often temporary projects that improve livability and public spaces - from chair bombing to guerilla gardening to temporary parks.
Tactical Urbanism operates under the belief that small-scale improvements to livability are the best way to bring about lasting, long-term changes. Otherwise known as “guerilla urbanism,” "DIY urbanism" or “pop-up urbanism,” these local actions or pilot projects often occur at the block, street, or even building scale.
Sometimes sanctioned by the government and sometimes simply acts of civic activism, these small-scale projects work as experiments, case studies, for cities and towns to build upon in larger projects. The success or failure of a tactical urbanism project can indicate whether a municipality should invest in a larger design. In addition to providing pilot experiments, local actions allow the public to engage in the planning process and see the benefits of bigger changes. This builds trust and relationships within a community, leading to greater public support and more successful long-term projects that meet the needs of the citizens.
Tactical Urbanism typically contains five major characteristics:
With these themes as guiding principles, the Tactical Urbanism guide outlines twelve methods employed by cities and towns across America to increase their livability. The guide describes actions as small as DIY public seating and as large as transforming streets into children’s play space, providing examples of how towns have made small investments to improve livability. While some of the highlighted projects require government collaboration, many only necessitate a community with determination to improve their public spaces. With the tools and inspiration provided in this Tactical Urbanism guide, cities and towns can work together to make the small-scale changes necessary to improve their streets, blocks, and neighborhoods.
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