Tactical Urbanism and Temporary Space Utilization

Tactical urbanism and temporary space utilisation encompass a spectrum of short-term, low-cost interventions designed to activate, test and reimagine urban environments. Originating in grassroots efforts and informal practice, these approaches have been adopted by local authorities, community groups and designers to address vacant lots, underutilised parks, wide roads and derelict buildings. Typical tactics include pop-up parks, parklets, open-street events and “meanwhile” uses that can quickly transform public realms while gathering data on social interaction, mobility patterns and local preferences. The emphasis on temporality allows for experimental governance, agile adaptation to changing needs and the layering of permanent and ephemeral functions. Across diverse contexts—from abandoned hospital sites revitalised by participatory collectives to streets repurposed for outdoor dining—tactical interventions foster social capital, encourage inclusive decision-making and promote sustainable development goals. The field bridges urban theory on spatial practices and everyday rhythms with practical tools for planners and citizens, demonstrating that provisional activation can inform long-term policy, stimulate local economies and enhance well-being.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Tactical Urbanism and Temporary Space Utilization publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in tactical urbanism and temporary space utilization across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Tactical urbanism: A set of intentional, often citizen-led, short-term actions in public space aimed at improving local environments and testing long-term planning ideas.

Temporary use: The provisional occupation or activation of underutilised urban areas—such as vacant lots or streets—for cultural, social or commercial purposes.

Participatory governance: Collaborative decision-making processes that engage community members, local authorities and other stakeholders in shaping interventions.

Socio-spatial dynamics: The interactions between social processes (such as community engagement) and spatial arrangements (such as street layouts or public-space design).

References

1. Participatory governance for the temporary use of urban abandoned areas. A socio-spatial approach to the “Old Hospital” area in Alexandroupolis, Greece. Cities (2024).
2. Transforming Cairo's downtown with tactical urbanism: Translating informal activities into formal enhancements for a thriving urban life. Ain Shams Engineering Journal (2024).
3. In-Formality?: Two Cases of Temporary Uses in Urban Regeneration of South Korea. Sustainability (2024).
4. Tactical Urbanism: Delineating a Critical Praxis. Planning Theory & Practice (2017).
5. New directions in the theorisation of temporary urbanisms: Adaptability, activation and trajectory. Progress in Human Geography (2021).