Short-term Action for Long-term Change

THE IDEA

You Don’t Need a Capital Budget to Prove a Street Design Works.

Pilot Project. Parklets. Open Streets Events. Demonstration projects. Whether you live in a community large or small, you’ve likely seen it for yourself. Cities around the world are embracing the incremental approach and grassroots energy of the Tactical Urbanism methodology to implement street safety and neighborhood improvement projects.

Examples of Tactical Urbanism include highly-visible and formalized efforts, such as New York’s Pavement to Plazas program, or San Francisco’s Parklet program, both of which have been replicated in dozens of cities across North America. Examples may also be seen in rapid implementation of small projects to advance Vision Zero goals, such as with San Francisco MTA’s commitment to complete at least 24 traffic safety improvements within 24 months of adopting the Vision Zero framework.

At the same time, these projects may come in the form of pilot crosswalks or curb extensions created by community groups and residents. Sometimes sanctioned, sometimes not, Tactical projects are defined by the following characteristics:

• A deliberate, phased approach to instigating change
• The offering of local solutions for local planning challenges
• Short-term commitment and realistic expectations
• Low-risk/low-cost approach, with a possibility for high reward
• The development of social capital and social cohesion among community members
• Enhanced collaboration between public, private, and non-profits sectors