When Will the Pop-Up Bubble Burst?

As the trend in temporary urbanism moves from the streets to the corridors of power, a new "triad of virtues: the light, the quick, and the cheap" (LQC) are hastening the replacement of the classical Vitruvian virtues of utility, durability, and beauty, observes Chan.

"Because of its low cost, modest appearance, and community-driven spirit, LQC architecture is often seen as a reflection of our times: this sudden infatuation for the temporary can be read as a pragmatic response to economic downturn as well as a material expression of the slow democratization of our cities.  But if and when current circumstances change, will cities abandon the temporary for more traditional solutions?"

"That is a difficult question to answer, as our conceptions of architecture are becoming increasingly unfixed. It seems that today's architects, planners, and city dwellers are actively redefining the binary that distinguishes the temporary and the permanent."