'Pop-Up' Urbanity

Small-scale, temporary interventions in urban space have brought the concept of "pop-up" projects into the civic space of cities.

1 minute read

July 26, 2011, 10:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


Places like New York, Paris and Vancouver have begun experimenting with these sorts of projects, and more cities have followed.

"[C]ities around the world have embraced the idea of pop-up urban planning, experimenting with temporary projects as a way to build public support for an idea, circumvent city hall, or iron out the wrinkles in a municipal pipedream.

The idea was first employed in Copenhagen in the 1950s, when the now famously pedestrian-friendly city was debating whether to close Strøget Street to car traffic. With the public firmly opposed the idea, the city announced it would close the road over the Christmas holiday as an experiment."

Thursday, July 14, 2011 in The Globe and Mail

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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