Practice

Abstract

This chapter reports the initial findings of a critical, comparative study of recent practices of temporary and tactical urbanism in Australia. It examines the diverse, dynamic assemblages of actors, interests and contexts that constitute different temporary and tactical urbanism approaches, and the varied ways they intersect with the wider public interest. It explores how temporary and tactical urbanism's innovations can link to deregulated planning regimes, austerity policies, inequities and gentrification of neoliberal urban development, and the decline of long-term state planning and investment. The chapter discusses the distinctive ways temporary and tactical urbanism is defined and enacted in the Australian context, drawing upon a database of ninety projects identified in six cities, an analysis of state and local policies that shape temporary and tactical urbanism, and interviews with expert practitioners from the public, private and non-profit sectors. The findings suggest a need to better understand how the various actor relationships forged through temporary and tactical urbanism link to a variety of broader urban planning and management interests.