Tactical Urbanism in Rural Utah
Price, Utah utilizes tactical urbanism to take back the streets of their rural town by coming together and spurring enthusiasm in their community.
Tactical urbanism projects are typically community-led efforts that are low-cost, temporary or short-term in nature, and aim to demonstrate the possibilities of larger investments in public spaces. The rise of tactical urbanism represents a change in planning culture –traditionally long-term, major capital investment-transforming our cities in real time. The rise of tactical urbanism and community-led initiatives reminds us that streets can be places for people – celebrating local culture, neighborhood identity, and “life between buildings.” Using easily available materials like house paint, traffic cones, fabric, even chalk, citizens can transform streets temporarily and demonstrate the possibilities of investment in public places.
On May 1-2, 2019, city planners, designers, and other attendees of the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Spring Conference, designed and executed a crosswalk - tactical urbanism project across Main Street in Price, Utah. The primary goals of the project were twofold: to present the completed project as a gift to the host community while building local interest and participation in planning and urban design; and to build tactical urbanism capacity amongst conference attendees in order to implement similar processes and projects in their home communities.
Timeframe to Complete Project: Days to Weeks
Cost Range: $27 for Resource; Under $500; Cost Varies by Project
Key Words: community, public spaces, Intermediate, Public Spaces & Gathering Places, fun, art, interactive elements, public art, Downtown Vision, volunteers, planning
The project was organized by members of the Utah Urban Design Committee, a collaboration of architects, planners, landscape architects, and other design professionals from Utah. Click on the button below to learn more.
Tactical Urbanism: Short-term Action for Long-term Change was written by Mike Lydon and Anthony Garcia. Click on the button below to access the resource.