This city life

Construction sites convert to public space with Softwalks

No one would ever think of enjoying the space within construction scaffolding (or sidewalk sheds). But, in New York City, they are so prevalent (stretching 189 miles if lined end to end), that students from the Parsons School of Design, created Soft Walks, simple DIY kits with chair pieces, a counter, a light fixture, a planter, and a green trellis that anyone can pick up and install onto the beams of their nearest scaffolded area.

The initiative aims to transform nearly 6,000 construction sites, equaling 189 miles of covered sidewalk. Soft Walks transform construction scaffolding from a dark, covered walkway into a rest stop for busy city dwellers to stop and have a seat, or even eat and socialize. Softwalks recently won the Student Category of Fast Company’s Innovation By Design Award.

I discovered this project while perusing  Kickstarter - the world’s largest funding platform - for projects aimed at improving city life. I was able to get in touch with one of the founders, Bland Hoke, who graciously agreed to answer my questions about the project .

How did the project come about?

The team was assembled while studying at Parsons in the new Transdisciplinary Design MFA program. Softwalks was initially focused on ‘greening gray infrastructure’ and researching the feasibility of installing vertical gardens on sidewalk sheds (the technical term for scaffolding on sidewalks). The team later re-oriented it’s goals to a solution that has potential to affect almost any sidewalk shed, hence a Kit of Parts that is modular and adaptable. 

 How did you get involved with Kickstarter?

 We decided to develop a Kickstarter campaign about two months ago. The largest challenge is presenting a campaign with a finite goal. Kickstarter states it is not a platform for starting new businesses, but rather a place for projects. “A project is not open-ended. Starting a business, for example, does not qualify as a project.”

 Using Kickstarter to raise funds for a pilot project will show public support, and enable us to test the marketability of our design artifacts and design process. So far, one of the most popular rewards is an ‘Innovation Lab’, where we will guide backers though an hour long design thinking session using methods we used for Softwalks. As a strategy for discovering value, Kickstarter is a great tool for completing market testing of products and services - designed as rewards.

 How have New Yorkers reacted to the Softwalks project?

When we have set up our Kit of Parts on the sidewalk, even hurried New Yorkers are surprised and delighted and stop to chat and test the parts. Often citizens are so intrigued, they end up talking to us for quite awhile! It seems everyone in NYC is an expert in something, and we have received valuable insights from every perspective. The most generative ideas have come from populations like the elderly or handicapped citizens, for whom we will definitely incorporate into the next iteration of our Kit of Parts. 

 Why would  people want to hang out at a construction site ?

The safety of sidewalk scaffolding is an interesting issue. On a broad level, there are two types of sidewalk sheds: active and passive. Construction sites with men working, concrete trucks rolling in, and general chaos is not our focus. Many sidewalk sheds in New York City are erected due to Local Law 11, which stipulates every 5 years a building must undergo a facade inspection. Unfortunately, some buildings fail an inspection and in the worst case the cost of keeping a sidewalk shed installed is more economical than repairing the facade. In our research we discovered an instance of a shed remaining in place for 12 years! In addition, sidewalk sheds are frequently a site for people to hang out - during hard rains and even in the heat of the summer. At a conceptual level, Softwalks reveals how people assume the function of a structure, and how tricky it is to change perceptions. 

 What challenges did you face in getting the project going?

The project was initiated during graduate school, and the biggest challenge was transitioning from an academic project to a business oriented project. Our focus was originally on providing communities the opportunity to reclaim public space and while this is an altruistic goal it didn’t incorporate business sensibilities. Since graduating, we have re-oriented our project towards Business Improvement Districts in New York City, since these organizations are largely responsible for establishing many of the pedestrian plazas, as well as maintaining them. 

What long-term goals do you have for the project?

Our short term goals are focused on our Kickstarter campaign, which will enable us to refine the Kit of Parts for long-term public use. If the pilot project is successful we will market the finished Kit of Parts to one Business Improvement District to use for special events, street festivals and short periods of time where extra seating and counter space is quite helpful. At that point, the buyer would own the Kit of Parts and can deploy it at their discretion. Lastly we may keep the Kit of Parts and use it in collaboration with other designers or event producers for finite projects.

For the long term vision, we welcome inquiries from business savvy individuals who are interested in partnering to scale the concept. Beyond Softwalks - design, innovation and imagining new experiences is our passion. We are in the germination phase for a set of new urban improvement projects designed to activate neglected and underutilized public spaces. Softwalks is the first major project of our partnership as an urban lab. Our focus is on developing products, experiences and strategies using simple, desirable and unexpected design. 

Robson Square’s pedestrian plaza: should it stay or should it go?

Vancouver City Council recently announced that the 800 block of Robson Square would remain closed to traffic until 2013, allowing Vancouver’s only central, downtown plaza to remain pedestrian-oriented beyond the summer months. 

Since Robson Square was renovated in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the city has had numerous public space projects set up in this area. Food trucks, unusual public seating installations like Pop Rocks and Picnurbia, outdoor urban markets like Portobello West, karaoke kiosks, and live music performances have all been introduced to the space thanks to the closure of the 800 block of Robson Street - successfully drawing pedestrians to create a lively public space in the heart of the downtown core.

Can its success last beyond this unusual stretch of sunshine that Vancouver has experienced for the past 3 months (seriously..I have lived here my whole life and never seen the city go this long without rain)?

I think it can. With the holiday season coming soon, I would love to see a Christmas market around Robson Square (one of my favourite childhood memories is walking around the Square and seeing all the lights). I think there are many creative ways Vancouverites could use the space during the colder, rainy months too.

A successful public square is not weather dependent. Cities with as much rain as Vancouver, like Stockholm, which is typically colder and wetter than Vancouver (173 wet days annually to Vancouver’s 161), and Copenhagen (113 rainy days) have public spaces that manage to sustain a strong pedestrian life, with great benefits to local businesses.

A public square’s ability to draw people depends on its location, its design and the public’s interest (and city’s support) in coming up with interesting and fun ways to use it.

In the case of Robson Square, public support for keeping the space car-free has continued to be strong.  In 2011, the Vancouver Public Space Network conducted two surveys – designed to measure public support for keeping Robson Square car-free.  Over 1800 signatures were gathered in support of the expansion of Robson Square, while just over 40 indicated opposition to the move.

So what do you think? Should it stay car-free or should it go?

If you can, take a moment to share your thoughts on this issue:  consider writing a short email to Mayor Robertson (gregor.robertson@vancouver.ca), Penny Ballem (City Manager) (penny.ballem@vancouver.ca) or Peter Judd (City Engineer) (peter.judd@vancouver.ca).  

Park(ing) Day

Like the rallying cry to Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” (“they paved paradise and put up a parking lot”), artists, designers and citizens in cities around the world transform parking spaces into temporary public parks every September 21st in celebration of Park(ing) Day.

The project began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco. Since 2005, PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement, with organizations and individuals creating new forms of temporary public space in urban contexts around the world. As of 2011, Park(ing) Day has resulted in 975 parks in 162 cities in 35 countries and 6 continents around the world.

The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat.

According to Rebar, “Our original PARK stood in place for two hours – the term of the lease offered on the face of the parking meter. When the meter expired, we rolled up the sod, packed away the bench and the tree, and gave the block a good sweep, and left. A few weeks later,  as a single iconic photo of the intervention  traveled across the web, Rebar began receiving requests to create the PARK(ing) project in other cities.”

The first Park(ing) Day installation

The Vancouver Public Space Network has been celebrating Park(ing) Day since 2008, when they transformed a parking space on Main Street. In 2009, they set up shop on Hornby Street and played host to hundreds of folks in the downtown neighbourhood with a mini park comprised an interactive component and art station including Tibetan-style flags on which members of the public could write messages(pictures). In 2010, they set up an urban park on Davie Street (and held a dance party). They are in the midst of planning a Park(ing) Day installation for this Friday at Joyce and Kingsway in Vancouver.

While some Park(ing) Day public space interventions have introduced natural elements in a paved environment, others have used parking spaces to call attention to other specific community needs and values and use the event to draw attention to issues that are important to their local public—everything from experimentation and play to acts of generosity and kindness, to political issues such as water rights, labor equity, health care and marriage equality.

Park(ing) Day celebrates the essence of public space. That is, reclaiming a piece of the city and making it into an attractive, comfortable, blank canvas - free of cars - where people can express what matters to them.

Vancouver Public Space Network Hosts Outdoor Movie Screening of Films About Public Space

A very cool event coming up next week! The Vancouver Public Space Network (VPSN) is hosting “Arts in the Heart of Mount Pleasant: a Night of Short Films about Public Space”.  The event will take place on Thursday, Aug 30th at 8:00 pm behind Our Town Cafe at Main & Broadway in Vancouver. Films will include a mix of local and international films about public art, neighbourhood character, creative communities and advertising  in public spaces. This year’s event follows on the success of “City Shorts”, a similar movie night hosted last year by the VPSN.

“We had a great response to our first public space film festival last year, and wanted to bring this year’s festival outside into the streets so anyone walking by is welcome to grab a seat and enjoy the show,” said Jaspal Marwah, organizer and member of the Vancouver Public Space Network.”What better place to consider the use of public space than deep in the heart of a thriving creative neighborhood - one that, like many before it and many to come, is struggling to balance its community in the face of rapid new development.” 

Some films showcased  will deal with neighborhood transitions, and in particular, the issues of development pressures on the character and future of the Mt. Pleasant community. Other films will explore the role of technology and its impacts on public space, and how it can be used in a manner that is invisible, or in a deliberate attempt to challenge urban conventions. Other topics include public art, parkour, parks, and the prevalence of advertising.

 “Local food, free movies and lots of bars nearby to carry on the conversations long after the show wraps up,” said Jaspal.

The event will be hosted in an outdoor public space with tasty treats available from local food providers. Partners include: Our Town Cafe, Beaumont Studios, the Vancouver Foundation, and Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.

The VPSN is a grassroots collective that engages in advocacy, outreach and education on public space issues in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. This includes challenging the increase of advertising ‘creep’ in public places, promoting creative, community-friendly urban design, monitoring private security activities in the downtown core, fostering public dialogue and democratic debate, and devising creative ways to re-green the neglected corners, alleys and forgotten spaces of the city. We also like to devise ways to have fun in public space.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:

Jillian Glover – jgloverneve@gmail.com

Jaspal Marwah- Jaspal@vancouverpublicspace.ca

Robson Square’s Secret Garden

Over the past few years, Robson Square has experienced a rebirth. Ever since it was renovated after the 2010 Winter Olympics, the area below and in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson Street - considered Vancouver’s only central public square - has become home to outdoor skating and hockey, food trucks and creative public seating during the summer.

These spaces are great for people watching and socializing with friends, but where do you go when you want to get away from the bustle of downtown?

I was looking for a quiet place to sit at lunchtime in the sunshine yesterday and realized that I have not ventured up the stairs to the Robson Square gardens in years. When I lived in the suburbs as a teen, my parents used to take us downtown at Christmas time and we would walk around the gardens and look at all the lights. Even though I work a block away from Robson Square, I hadn’t been up there since.

Most people forget the gardens are even there and if you aren’t from here, you would never know they exist. Arthur Erickson’s modernist design of Robson Square as a series of steps - some going down to a skating rink and some going up to the gardens which connect to the city’s law courts - has been criticized for going against common public space theory. That is, if you want people to get together in a public space, keep it at ground level (Rockefeller Centre in New York City is the only successful exception).

As a result, this beautiful space is rarely visited by anyone except lawyers (since the law courts connect to it). But, it is worth the visit any day, especially since there are so few places to find a quiet oasis downtown. There is even a patch of grass where you can sun yourself on one of those rare Vancouver days. Take advantage.

New Public Space Projects in Vancouver this Summer

Digital Projections project

Vancouver Public Space Network receives Viva Vancouver funding, applauds City of Vancouver’s decision to open Robson Square to the public this summer

Vancouver, BC –  The Vancouver Public Space Network (VPSN) has received funding and operational support from the City of Vancouver though its Viva Vancouver program for a series of public space activations that will take place in the summertime, including Laser Graffiti and a Lunch Meet.

Lunch Meet brings a long-table dining experience to the urban outdoors.  Instead of cars, a large table will be placed on a downtown street and participants will come together to share in a communal outdoor meal. 

“The event will take place a few times throughout the summer and will serve to celebrate the city’s culinary character and the pleasure of outdoor eating,” said  Adam Vasilevich of the VPSN.

Laser Graffiti uses a projector and laser to allow people to ‘draw’ on walls. It provides the public with a fun way to animate public space at night.  The laser drawing is non-permanent. The system is mobile and we use a pedal-powered bike cart to move it around from location to location.

“Last year we showcased the system in Mt. Pleasant and Downtown Vancouver.  This year we’ll be taking the system to other neighbourhoods. The locations are still to be determined, but look for the system to be set up around town,” said VPSN project coordinator Josh Paterson

The VPSN will also be helping to present Outdoor Karaoke in selected downtown areas.  The Outdoor Karaoke project  was initially conceived and launched by Urban Republic– a local design team.  The program will allows members of the public to sing from a multi-language song-book in several popular gathering areas. 

In addition to Viva Vancouver, the VPSN is excited to hear the City of Vancouver’s announcement that it plans to transform the 800 Block of Robson Street into a summertime plaza.  The City, through the Viva Vancouver program, will create a pedestrian space complete with a “Pop Rocks” seating installation (designed by Matthew Soules Architecture and AFJD Studios) and space for public events such as the Jazz Festival.

Last year, the VPSN developed a petition which garnered significant public interest and almost 2000 signatures in favour of permanently closing the 800-block of Robson Street - located between Hornby and Howe. Adjacent to Robson Square, and nestled between the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Law Courts, the block is one of the most frequented pedestrian routes in the city.

The VPSN is a grassroots collective that engages in advocacy, outreach and education on public space issues in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. This includes challenging the increase of advertising ‘creep’ in public places, promoting creative, community-friendly urban design, monitoring private security activities in the downtown core, fostering public dialogue and democratic debate, and devising creative ways to re-green the neglected corners, alleys and forgotten spaces of the city. We also like to devise ways to have fun in public space.

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For more information, contact:

Josh Paterson: Josh@vancouverpublicspace.ca

Adam Vasilevich: adam@vancouverpublicspace.ca

Why can’t the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza be like Bryant Park?

A few days ago, I was returning from my lunch break to my office in Downtown Vancouver and I passed through the front plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. 

Maybe it was the warm weather, but it seemed ridiculous that this large, central, sunny public space in Vancouver was practically empty. And, the only place people could sit was on the few measly rows of steps outside the Gallery. Surrounding these steps are interconnecting concrete paths, bark mulch and a noisy fountain that seems like more of an irritant that a pleasing piece of public art (it’s pretty noisy, right?). 

Just Passing Through: The Art Gallery Plaza (photo courtesy of The Georgia Straight)

When I got back to my office, I put out a tweet out into the universe: 

Walked through the Vancouver Art Gallery ‘lawn’ today. Such a huge public space in the sun and barely anywhere to sit! What’s the deal? 

To my surprise, the Vancouver Art Gallery  (@VanArtGallery) responded: 

Thanks for your question about the plaza. Working on getting you some info. 

Numerous urban enthusiasts, impassioned public space advocates and Vancouverites in general have bemoaned the lack of one large, central public plaza in Downtown Vancouver. In fact, most of our gathering places are seawalls, urban parks and shopping streets. Recently, Spacing Magazine launched in Vancouver and announced the top public spaces in Canada. Here are the Vancouver ones that made the list:

1. Seawall
2. Granville Island
3. Stanley Park
4. Vancouver Art Gallery Stairs
5. Pioneer Place/Pigeon Park
6. Commercial Drive
7. English Bay First Beach
8. Victory Square
9. Kitsilano Beach Park
10. Robson Square

As I mentioned, most of these public places are parks, seawalls, and commercial streets - except for the Art Gallery Steps and Robson Square, which are basically connected to the Art Gallery’s front plaza and could all be considered one big public space. Together, these places comprise the only central public plaza in Vancouver.

Could this public plaza be better? Absolutely.

Earlier this month, I wrote about Robson Square and the improvements being made there, including potentially closing the 800 block of Robson Street (which cuts through Robson Square) to cars and buses.

Now on the other side of Robson Square, we have the Art Gallery Plaza looking pretty dismal these days.

BUT, the more I think about it, could this space not be as vibrant as Bryant Park in New York City? Sure, it is not as big. But the Art Gallery Plaza is similar to the steps of the New York Library. Except the New York Library steps are surrounded by a lush green park with trees surrounding its perimeter and lots of SEATS.

Bryant Park: what could be better than seats and trees?

So, that is all I am asking for really with the Art Gallery Plaza: a tree lined perimeter, some grass and seats. 

What do you think? 

I’ll let you know when I hear back from the Art Gallery.

What’s Going on with Robson Square?

I work near Robson Square, Vancouver’s only central downtown public space, and have been wondering for the past year what on earth they are doing with the site. It has been constantly under construction since before the Olympics and they are still not done.

What’s the deal? And, more importantly, is it going to become an awesome public square? Because Downtown Vancouver still needs one.

I finally got around to doing a little research, so here is what I gathered.

Robson Square was designed by Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson. It opened in 1978 as part of the Provincial Law Courts and Vancouver Art Gallery. In 1982, a public skating rink was opened (and subsequently closed in 2000).

The Robson Square Renewal Project is a $41 million, multi-year project. A major portion of this work involved lengthening the ice surface of the skating rink, installing new stairs and replacing the current dome roofs and installing clear glass in time to open the area up for public skating during the 2010 Winter Olympics. 

Robson Square facing the Vancouver Art Gallery (courtesy of Kirk and Co.)

After that epic party, much of Robson Square closed again (which resulted in packing pedestrians in like sardines as they walk down the 800 block of Robson St.). Apparently this next phase of construction involves replacing the waterproof membranes that underlie Robson Square’s distinctive green roof to prevent rainwater intrusion. There was also the controversial decision to remove the existing gardens, which will apparently be replanted according to the original design (the gardens were designed by legendary Vancouverite landscape architect, Cornelia Oberlander). And finally,  the crossing and sidewalks along the 800 block of Robson Street are being made “more accessible” as well as improving access to stairs to the Art Gallery Annex that front onto Robson Street. 

All of this information was gathered from the BC government website  (so it is their words, not mine). That last part gets me. What does it mean to make that portion of Robson St. “more accessible”? Are they going to keep it closed to vehicles so Vancouver can finally have the central downtown public square we so desperately need???

Remember these good times? Robson Square during the 2010 Winter Olympics (sans cars and buses)

The Vancouver Public Space Network (VPSN) has been advocating for the City to take advantage of the current street closure and traffic re-routing.  The Province’s renovation work on Robson Square has facilitated a change in car and transit routing over the past two years.  According to the VPSN, this is a golden opportunity for the City to secure the 800-block for a permanent square.

In fact, City Council has unanimously supported this idea, and passed a motion in December 2010 to create “a major public square at 800 Robson Street to coincide with Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary.”

One hiccup: Translink doesn’t want to keep rerouting the buses.  In particular, they are uneasy with the idea of a continued re-routing of the #5 Robson bus.

VPSN is encouraging people to consider taking 5 minutes to write a short letter copied to Translink and Mayor Gregor Robertson, stating, “Your letters of support for the closure of the 800-block were part of the reason Council voted to support the idea.  It is still very important to let the City and Translink know that you support this important initiative.”

This current restoration phase of Robson Square was set to be completed in spring 2011. I am very curious to see what the final outcome is. What do you think? Should we keep that portion of Robson St. closed to cars or……?