Tactical Urbanism Workshop

Tactical Urbanism Workshop, National Main Streets Conference, Atlanta, Georgia (March 2015)

Have no money and want to fix your downtown? No problem. We’ll show you ten ways you get started restoring your downtown for $500 or less. Tactical urbanism and temporary interventions will be explored in depth. Participants will be given hands-on opportunities to build a pallet chair, create a pop-up shop, and make a parklet. After the workshop results will be put on display in a pop-up park at the conference venue that participants help to create. By taking these practical ideas and translating them into a physical reality, this will show Main Street programs everywhere how they can build a #BetterMainStreet. Presenters: Isaac Kremer, with Ryan Gravel, Pekins and Will; Kateryna Goncharova, Ukranian State Institute for Preservation of Historic and Architectural Sites.

Moderator: Isaac Kremer

Presenter: Kateryna Goncharova, Ryan Gravel

Tactical Urbanism Toolkit
The pre-build process involves developing concepts for your tactical interventions. At this time you will gather your tools and materials. We’ve included a list of tools you may need. Note: Before going out to buy stuff, it’s better to BORROW or SHARE than to buy. That helps to engage your community and manage your costs.

Tools Needed

  • Safety glasses
  • Gloves
  • Power drills
  • Circular saw
  • Drop cloths
  • Extension cords, long and short
  • Five gallon buckets with handles
  • Variety of drill bits (especially 3/16” for pilot holes)
  • Crowbar
  • Hammer
  • Duct tape
  • Exacto knife
  • First aid kit

Hunter Gatherer

Here we are in our driveway with a full truck, preparing to leave for Atlanta. In a tactical urbanism project the job of a hunter gather is to find needed materials and tools, and make sure they get where they need to go.

Mouthpieces

Main Street America CEO Patrice Frey during opening plenary with slide of Better Block Middlesboro project and the text “Implementation of Four Points must be Comprehensive & Strategic.” This shows at the time how important quick action projects like Better Block were to the Main Street refresh.

Intervention #1: Pallet chairs $15
These chairs are made from shipping pallets. They help to divert waste from landfills and build community. Placing chairs like this on streets and sidewalks is referred to as “chair bombing.”
– We’ll guide people step-by-step through the process of creating pallet chairs

Materials Needed
 Pallets (x2)
 Screws
 Spray paint

Also see: http://mboroky.blogspot.com/2013/09/30-ideas-in-30-days-pallet-chairs-bring.html

Intervention #2: Pallet garden $30

Urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food. This may involve animal husbandry, aquaculture, agroforestry, urban beekeeping, and horticulture. A parking space, yards, roof-tops, sidewalks, and balconies may be used for agricultural purposes.

– Use pallet slats to build a planter box inside pallet
– Line planting area with landscaping fabric
– Fill with dirt and plants

Materials Needed
 Clean shipping pallet
 Landscape fabric
 Screws
 Plants and dirt

Intervention #3: Movie screening < $100

Movies have long served a function to bring people together. Showing films that have a tie-in and connection with the community or region is an excellent way to celebrate the place. Whether inside or outside, or just a handful of people or several hundred, the power of film draws people together.

– Hang a sheet and project movie

Materials Needed
 King or queen sized sheet OR white tarp
 Projector
 Speakers
 Note: Review licensing requirements to make sure your work complies with all relevant copyright laws. Libraries often have special licensing rates and might be a good partner.

Intervention #4: Parklet $250-$500+

Parking spaces are reclaimed as public spaces without large capital expenditures. New public space is created through the addition of movable tables and chairs, painting the asphalt, and installation of inexpensive planters and stone blocks. Most sit level with the sidewalk. The design is flexible enough to be adapted during the trial period. Parklets are considered part of the public realm and not associated with a business. They may be freely used by the public at large.

– Set shipping pallets down on the pavement and make level with the sidewalk
– Build some kind of protective railing
– Places chairs and tables to create a pleasant outdoor seating area

Materials Needed
 Shipping pallets
 Screws
 Plantings (optional)
 Paint or sealant (optional)

Also see: http://mboroky.blogspot.com/2013/10/30-ideas-in-30-days-9-sidewalk-stencils.html

Intervention #5: Guerrilla Way-finding $15
Expensive way-finding sign systems are not the only way to help get folks around. Guerilla way-finding signs show the time it takes to walk or bike from the location of the sign to a destination somewhere else in town.

– Walk [Your City] is a web-based platform that allows you to easily design, fabricate, and print a way-finding system
– Go to https://walkyourcity.org/ and get started

Materials Needed
 Your fingers! Walk [Your City] provides the rest

Also see: http://mboroky.blogspot.com/2013/10/30-ideas-in-30-days-12-walk-your-city.html

Intervention #6: Pop-up cafe $100
Something as simple as a cart with hot and cold beverages can activate a public space. Providing public seating in the parking lane can help promote local businesses. These are particularly needed in areas where outdoor public seating is limited. These serve as placeholders until sidewalks can be permanently extended.

– Materials and supplies will be put out to set up a pop-up cafe
– Following the workshop a cafe will be on display in the Expo Hall

Materials Needed
 Coffee maker and supplies
 Water and sodas
 Ready-to-serve foods
 Rolling cart (optional)

Also see: http://mboroky.blogspot.com/2013/10/30-ideas-in-30-days-25-pop-up-cafe.html

Intervention #7: Pop-up shop $100-$500

Vacant buildings are transformed into assets through pop-up shops. These give budding entrepreneurs an opportunity to get their start. After cleaning the space and refreshing the look inside and out, the pop-up shop is born. Oftentimes pop-ups have a life that extends well after the initial trial period is over.

– Merchandise will be provided to set up a pop-up shop
– Participants will then be guided through the process of running the shop

Materials Needed
 Merchandise
 Tables
 Chairs
 Cash box
 Square reader (very helpful!)

Also see: http://mboroky.blogspot.com/2013/10/30-ideas-in-30-days-19-pop-up-shops.html

Intervention #8: Informal bike parking $15
Something as simple as a metal bar attached to a wall can serve as informal parking for bikes. Another variation is setting a shipping pallet on end and bracing it so bikes may tie up. This helps to encourage cycling at little to no cost.

– We will assemble and install a temporary bike parking unit.

Materials Needed
 Metal pipe
 Angle brackets for metal pipe
 Masonry screws
 Bike stencil and paint (optional)

Also see: http://mboroky.blogspot.com/2013/10/30-ideas-in-30-days-21-bike-valet.html

Intervention #9: Sharrows $5
Shared-lane marking or “sharrows” show traffic lanes that bicyclists and vehicles are expected to share. These may be installed temporarily with a stencil and spray paint, or with more durable and permanent materials. These create a more welcoming environment for cyclists.

– A template of the sharrow design will be available to trace out and make your own template

Materials Needed
 Cardboard, mylar, or light plywood
 Spray paint

Also see: http://mboroky.blogspot.com/2013/09/30-ideas-in-30-days-28-sharrows.html

Intervention #10: Stencils $5
These fairly inexpensive and easy to produce stencils help to bring a positive message wherever folks are passing through town. Greater in the Crater refers to the fact that Middlesborough is the only city in the U.S. built entirely within a meteorite crater. “It’s Good to be Here” is based on a similar project by artist Candy Chang in New Orleans.

– Examples will be brought from Middlesboro
– Participants will outline these to take home with them

Materials Needed
 Cardboard or mylar
 Spray paint

Also see: http://mboroky.blogspot.com/2013/10/30-ideas-in-30-days-9-sidewalk-stencils.html

Better Main Street Contest!
Following the workshop we’ll ask you to go out and perform one tactical intervention. Then take a picture or video and share the result on social media using the hashtag #BetterMainStreet. Based on the responses received one will be selected as the Better Main Street Contest Winner and given a prize they can display proudly touting their accomplishment, before passing it on to the next community to win. Please fill out this form to stay connected: http://goo.gl/forms/NQVAurEI89.

Expo Hall

Following the workshop we had a booth at the Expo Hall for the next two days. While there we had our different interventions on display. Copies of the book Tactical Urbanism were also available for purchase. Mike Lydon, author of the book, even made an appearance. As the end of the expo drew near, a couple came along and purchased all of our inventory to furnish a new condo. That helped to pay for the gas money home and significantly lightened our load.

Closing Plenary and Book Singing

Mike Lydon gave the closing plenary talk. Afterwards he was on hand to sign copies of his book.

A Note About Social Media
As much as tactical urbanism is about making physical changes, it is a social process as well. Social media is great for generating ideas and mobilizing people and resources. Consider setting up a special account for your tactical urbanism work. For an example see @BetterBlockBoro or Facebook.com/BetterBlockBoro.

Additional Resources

Back to Speaking.