What Is “Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper” Placemaking?
“Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper” is a phrase we borrowed from Eric Reynolds at Urban Space Management we use it to describe interventions that produce immediate results, transforming underused urban spaces into exciting laboratories that reward citizens with authentic places and provide a boost to areas in need. These projects provide a powerful means of translating community visioning into physical reality and keeping momentum moving. Ideas can be implemented, assessed, then tweaked and customized based upon the community’s reception.
“Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper” Demonstration Projects can take many forms requiring varying degrees of scale, costs and permanence. Each of these types of projects can help create the foundation for the success of the next.
- Amenities & Public Art – short-term, low-cost interventions to seed places
- Event Based Interventions – recurring, experimental programs to build momentum
- Interim Public Spaces – semi-permanent public space activation plans to establish places before (or instead of) large capital projects.
- Light Development – inexpensive structures and low-overhead retail uses that anchor activity and culturally creative uses.
Ahh yes, this is how we use our permaculture knowledge. Slow growth. One thing is supporting the next , building momentum from the watershed up. Now activism/participation/grass roots/”just start it” thinking is reaching the corporate structure as part of the grand scheme. Perhaps due to dropping budgets and planners with visions full of bright potential. Also this allows for a more “ergonomic” plan. One that fits the community — instead of making a plan on top of a place. This method is listening to the community (when the aborigines were given housing .. they still slept outside). Like Burning Man’s Black Rock City. every year they start from scratch, make improvements and try new ideas. This method allows for experimentation, trial and error which leads to less expensive effective spaces.
