Tactical Urbanism Demonstration Projects as Community Participation

Abstract

Tactical urbanism projects, particularly short-term demonstration projects, are an increasingly popular method of community participation as part of the planning process but have not been included as part of the urban planning and design literature. The literature on community participation in urban planning and design does not explore tactical urbanism as a method, and the literature on tactical urbanism has few studies that look at how government agencies are using it, especially as a form of community participation as part of the planning process. How are government agencies using tactical urbanism demonstration projects for community participation as part of the planning process? The literature on tactical urbanism shows that it can be an exclusive act, limited to privileged individuals and/or groups with the time and resources available. Similarly, literature shows that traditional forms of community participation typically involve only a privileged few individuals. Can tactical urbanism demonstration projects facilitated by cities further more equitable and inclusive community participation? How effective are tactical urbanism demonstration projects (facilitated by government agencies) in addressing problems of equity and exclusion engaged in the tactical urbanism literature? These are questions I aim to answer through my research to advance the literature, understanding, and practice of both tactical urbanism and community participation. My thesis focuses on tactical urbanism facilitated by government agencies, specifically tactical urbanism projects focused on improving traffic safety that are utilized as part of the planning process for community participation. I believe tactical urbanism demonstration projects have the potential to make community participation, tactical urbanism, and transportation planning more equitable and inclusive. I will be analyzing a variety of case studies that explicitly use tactical urbanism as a method of community participation, particularly focusing on projects that involve diverse, historically marginalized populations. I hope my research can further the understanding and practice of tactical urbanism used as community participation by government agencies, particularly to advance planning for safer streets.