Urban Prototyping Kit For Tactical Urbanism
Graphik
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Creating better urban spaces.
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“First life, then spaces, then buildings—the other way around never works.” —JAN GEHL
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02 SURFACE TREATMENTS Patterns + Tools
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Contents
01 GRAPHIC PERCEPTION Perception of Place
03 PROTOTYPING Materials Palette
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PERCEPTION OF PLACE
The way we perceive a space deeply affects the way we feel about it and how we think about it. The overall perception of a specific area within the urban landscape is affected by the sum of its parts. Sense of place, the feeling of ownership of an urban space and the feeling of pride for a place are crucial factors that come into play in the way people interact with these spaces and amongst themselves within these spaces. The overall perception of a place deeply influence the way people will use and interact with the space.
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GRAPHIC PERCEPTION
As proven by the comparison of these two images, visual graphics have the potential to deeply affect the perception of a space. Both photographs are the exact same location, the one on the bottom is prior to the flexible urbanism project. The perception of the space gives off the feeling of a vast expansion, it looks like a “nowhere� space, uninviting with no real potential or purpose, in fact it does not look like a space that people would purposefully frequent, interact with or enjoy. In the top image, the simple graphic pattern transforms the space completely, it provides it with a sense of space, depth, direction it creates order and creates smaller organized spaces as opposed to a vast unusable expansion.
* Images are courtesy of Envelope A+D.
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SURFACE TREATMENTS
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GRAPHIC PATTERN TOOLS
Simple tools can be used for flexible urbanism projects, which can add a whole new layer of depth and complexity. This method serves as a way to manipulate and organize space visually, but it is also a way to mark and communicate that the space is in effect a space for the community, for pedestrians, for activities and daily life.
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PROTOTYPING MATERIALS
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BARRIERS
Simple low cost material are common tools for flexible urbanism projects, as resources are usually limited. Nonetheless these simple objects can be extremely effective if considered properly.
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cones
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traffic control barricades
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plastic barriers
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concrete jersey barrier
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parking stops
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armadillos
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granite blocks
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wooden crate planters
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tire planters
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galvanized steel planters
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STREET FURNITURE
Street furniture is an important element for any public space, providing the opportunity for people to sit, linger and interact with each other and their environment.
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milk crates
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cinder block benches
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shipping pallets
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city benches
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picnic tables
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moveable tables
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moveable chairs
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moveable umbrellas
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LANDSCAPING ELEMENTS
Landscaping not only helps bring the project to another aesthetic level, but it also has environmental and psychological benefits.
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astro turf
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small/medium plants
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small trees
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SIGNAGE
Signs for a specific space may play a particularly important role in a variety of different ways, such as, for public safety reasons, to help people understand how to use a new type of public space they may have never seen before, signs may also be used to create a cohesive brand for a public space program. Signs are also an important tool for advocacy, to help gather public input and to support larger livability goals.
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homemade signs
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information signs
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traffic signs
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PROGRAM IDEAS
Programming is a critical element to enhancing community engagement and ownership of the new public space and infrastructure project. A fun atmosphere can attract a broad audience. 1.
exercise
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games
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art
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music
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