placemaking | parklet kit
Basic information
Project Title
placemaking | parklet kit
Full project title
placemaking kit for creating temporary urban interventions
Category
Regaining a sense of belonging
Project Description
Placemaking kit is a tool for making temporary urban interventions. It is based on concrete corner blocks that allow creating different functions and layouts with ease.
The elements are interchangeable, making them easy to move and creating new scenarios elsewhere.
Aim of the design was to create a kit that helps participatory design and assembly while still being sturdy and lasting. RÉV 8 Zrt. helped to build a prototype in the 8th district, where viability and co-designability were tested.
The elements are interchangeable, making them easy to move and creating new scenarios elsewhere.
Aim of the design was to create a kit that helps participatory design and assembly while still being sturdy and lasting. RÉV 8 Zrt. helped to build a prototype in the 8th district, where viability and co-designability were tested.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Budapest, Hungary
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Placemaking-parklet kit is a tool for creating temporary urban interventions. Its main aims were to create a kit that is mobile, easy to assemble and helps co-design while still being recognizeable troughout the city.
During my research I realized that most of the available parklet systems were outside the budget of a regular Central-European municipality yet they did not manage to empower local communities to create something that they can connect to by building and planning together.
I really wanted to design a kit that fills in this really important gap, while still being lasting and transferable.
It is based on concrete corner blocks that provide a solid base to be built on. You can create many functions such as benches, different sized planters, infotainment and bike storage. The corner blocks are 20kg-s each, easy to carry in hands but once it's assembled stable enough for heavy usage.
During the design process I concentrated on using materials that are locally available and can be cut and drilled with hand tools.
As my thesis project I really wanted to develop something viable. I contacted RÉV8 Zrt. with my idea and they helped in administrations and financing to create a prototype from the kit. I worked with Lehetőségek Tere a local association for youth to co-design a parklet in front of their space. We held several workshops where people could learn about tactical urbanism, parklets and design the layout and functions together with the help of scale models. The prototype was successfully built and was opened in 21st September, the opening was celebrated with music and planting together.
During my research I realized that most of the available parklet systems were outside the budget of a regular Central-European municipality yet they did not manage to empower local communities to create something that they can connect to by building and planning together.
I really wanted to design a kit that fills in this really important gap, while still being lasting and transferable.
It is based on concrete corner blocks that provide a solid base to be built on. You can create many functions such as benches, different sized planters, infotainment and bike storage. The corner blocks are 20kg-s each, easy to carry in hands but once it's assembled stable enough for heavy usage.
During the design process I concentrated on using materials that are locally available and can be cut and drilled with hand tools.
As my thesis project I really wanted to develop something viable. I contacted RÉV8 Zrt. with my idea and they helped in administrations and financing to create a prototype from the kit. I worked with Lehetőségek Tere a local association for youth to co-design a parklet in front of their space. We held several workshops where people could learn about tactical urbanism, parklets and design the layout and functions together with the help of scale models. The prototype was successfully built and was opened in 21st September, the opening was celebrated with music and planting together.
Key objectives for sustainability
My goal was to design a kit that is mobile and can be placed in many scenarios, making every part reuseable. Another aim was to use locally available materials and to make local manufacturing and assembly possible.
The kit is a modular system that helps rearranging the same parts in different ways. The corner blocks are completely interchangeable, a leg of a bench can easily turn into a corner of a planter. All the rest can be cut easily if a different size is needed.
The prototype created uses pine wood and ecopanel. a recycled material produced in the region. It consists of plastic packaging that is heat pressed together without using any adhesive. It is weather proof and recyclable.
I used basic shapes that don't create much waste when cut.
Concrete was poured locally, unfortunately for the prototype's ammount it wasn't worthy to create a lasting tool made of steel, but I plan to create one for later usage.
I think the main strenght of the project in the terms of sustainability that it can be moved easily and used many times creating completely different scenarios with mostly the same materials.
The kit is a modular system that helps rearranging the same parts in different ways. The corner blocks are completely interchangeable, a leg of a bench can easily turn into a corner of a planter. All the rest can be cut easily if a different size is needed.
The prototype created uses pine wood and ecopanel. a recycled material produced in the region. It consists of plastic packaging that is heat pressed together without using any adhesive. It is weather proof and recyclable.
I used basic shapes that don't create much waste when cut.
Concrete was poured locally, unfortunately for the prototype's ammount it wasn't worthy to create a lasting tool made of steel, but I plan to create one for later usage.
I think the main strenght of the project in the terms of sustainability that it can be moved easily and used many times creating completely different scenarios with mostly the same materials.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
I found the Vienna's "GrätzlOase" programme a good practice. People are empowered to create so called "green oaeses". The municipality helps in financing and in sharing knowledge, which makes it a popular programme amongst locals. I see this as a goal for my kit as well.
However I found that people often lack woodwork and craftsmanship skills which can result in less durable and ergonomic street installations.
Everyone creating their own design from scratch is one of the best ways to develop a sense of belonging but it really can be a hard task for people with no prior experience in such activities and having so many different approaches and designs not always developped in good quality can lead to a chaotic cityscape.
I designed the kit to be easily co-designed and co-built together. It can be customized and I wanted a neutral design language that can be inhabited with content people want to create. For example the prototype we built in Budapest gives place to a community created art installtion that deals with the reputation of different weeds.
The concrete corners are not only sturdy and lasting but they provide perfect height for sitting and for planters. The corners are developed in a way that they protect the edges of the side panels from being torn.
Having good sitting positions and providing good living conditions for more than human actors as well was a key priority.
During prototyping we held several workshops with scale models and material samples. I found that through these events and through the co-designed art installation people really became attached with the parklet.
Unfortunately the building wasn't done together, but during the opening ceremony all of the workshop members from different age groups came to help in planting and putting up texts for the exhibition.
I think overall the project was successfull in creating somthing that is co-designable-yet durable, asthetically uniform and ergonomic as well
However I found that people often lack woodwork and craftsmanship skills which can result in less durable and ergonomic street installations.
Everyone creating their own design from scratch is one of the best ways to develop a sense of belonging but it really can be a hard task for people with no prior experience in such activities and having so many different approaches and designs not always developped in good quality can lead to a chaotic cityscape.
I designed the kit to be easily co-designed and co-built together. It can be customized and I wanted a neutral design language that can be inhabited with content people want to create. For example the prototype we built in Budapest gives place to a community created art installtion that deals with the reputation of different weeds.
The concrete corners are not only sturdy and lasting but they provide perfect height for sitting and for planters. The corners are developed in a way that they protect the edges of the side panels from being torn.
Having good sitting positions and providing good living conditions for more than human actors as well was a key priority.
During prototyping we held several workshops with scale models and material samples. I found that through these events and through the co-designed art installation people really became attached with the parklet.
Unfortunately the building wasn't done together, but during the opening ceremony all of the workshop members from different age groups came to help in planting and putting up texts for the exhibition.
I think overall the project was successfull in creating somthing that is co-designable-yet durable, asthetically uniform and ergonomic as well
Key objectives for inclusion
The kit is designed to be affordable even for municipalities with small budget. The blocks used and easy-to-work-with methods provide a strong base to create an open source system. The first prototype parklet was made from less than 8000 EUR taxes and labour hours included. Once a master tool for pouring concrete and a better concrete mixture is created it could get even cheaper and less labour heavy.
The parklet was intented to be used by all ages. It's neutral aesthetic language makes it appealing for a wide range of age groups. Sitting position is set to be comfortable for elderly people as well. It's blocks can and should be placed to accessible for wheelchairs users as well. It provides a flexibility in use, and even it's layout can be changed in place gradually to further develop after learning from experience. It's material choices propose clear indication on where to sit or place information.
All items are fixed together to create a stable environment reducing the chance of any hazards. All the sharp edges are hidden or filleted/chamfered.
The prototype was designed with workshops and it was really nice to see that many age groups were represented during these, from high school students to elderly as well.
The parklet was intented to be used by all ages. It's neutral aesthetic language makes it appealing for a wide range of age groups. Sitting position is set to be comfortable for elderly people as well. It's blocks can and should be placed to accessible for wheelchairs users as well. It provides a flexibility in use, and even it's layout can be changed in place gradually to further develop after learning from experience. It's material choices propose clear indication on where to sit or place information.
All items are fixed together to create a stable environment reducing the chance of any hazards. All the sharp edges are hidden or filleted/chamfered.
The prototype was designed with workshops and it was really nice to see that many age groups were represented during these, from high school students to elderly as well.
How Citizens benefit
During design I tried to involve local citizens as much as I could. In a short timeframe (6 months), we occupied the two parking spaces in front of Lehetőségek Tere several times. My goal with this was to ask locals opinion, to tell them a parklet is being built soon and to create a connection between the association (Lehetőségek tere) and people who haven't met them yet. It is only consultancy level of involvement but the short timeframe only made this possible for me.
After these co-design workshops were held, many age groups represented themselves from high school students to elderly people. We created mock-ups and scale models, people were free to come up with new ideas and after negotiating we found a layout that was satisfactory for all.Working with scale models proved to be successful, however a better toolkit is needed for a smoother process.
I think citizens are clearly benefiting from the prototype created and all the possible new places this kit could provide. They recive an island with shade, greenery and some place to sit, which is now a common issue in many cities. It can also trigger bigger changes, help people understand the importance of creating green spots and showing potential in places now taken by car infrastructure. With the workshops it can also create a sense of belonging by designing a space for themselves.
After these co-design workshops were held, many age groups represented themselves from high school students to elderly people. We created mock-ups and scale models, people were free to come up with new ideas and after negotiating we found a layout that was satisfactory for all.Working with scale models proved to be successful, however a better toolkit is needed for a smoother process.
I think citizens are clearly benefiting from the prototype created and all the possible new places this kit could provide. They recive an island with shade, greenery and some place to sit, which is now a common issue in many cities. It can also trigger bigger changes, help people understand the importance of creating green spots and showing potential in places now taken by car infrastructure. With the workshops it can also create a sense of belonging by designing a space for themselves.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
Most other placemaking and parklet kits are usually based on big modules, that can only be placed by special tools.
I designed a kit that is based on small building block that can be carried in hands and fixed together with simple hand tools. It uses readily available materials and helpes local manufacturing. This makes its implementation quicker than other kits on the market.
Small building mean better repairability, even so as the concrete parts are all completetly interchangeable. The kit can be designed in multiple ways. Many objects are pre-designed but it is an open toolkit for people to come up with new modules that fit their needs best.
I designed a kit that is based on small building block that can be carried in hands and fixed together with simple hand tools. It uses readily available materials and helpes local manufacturing. This makes its implementation quicker than other kits on the market.
Small building mean better repairability, even so as the concrete parts are all completetly interchangeable. The kit can be designed in multiple ways. Many objects are pre-designed but it is an open toolkit for people to come up with new modules that fit their needs best.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
As being a thesis project, I was really pressed by time so I could not involve as many knowledge fields as I would wanted. The project was helped by the field of product design, architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and art. The aforementioned stakeholders interacted through meetings and attended the co-design workshops. I think all of them helped me to broaden my perspective and improve the design including many aspects. Lehetőségek Tere created a beautiful art installation on the parklet which was also co-designed with locals.
Methodology used
Previously on my erasmus semester as an eco-social designer I had the oppurtunity to work on the reopening a post industrial space for public use. We had a team of 3 and a local partner, and we managed to involve many citizens in our project and opened the area temporarily. Since then my former classmates continues on with the project and the area was opened for public many times, It was called A Place to B(z).
This project had a huge influence of how I think about design, also it showed me the importance of involvement, active citizenship and how essential non-commercial inclusive public places that people can connect to are.
During my design process I started with writing my thesis, a research paper on the historical background of compact cities the right to the city and the importance of tactical urbanism and placemaking.
After that I found parklets an interesting issue on which I could build my thesis project as a product designer. I did desktop research on the topic to gather information about current parklet systems and benchmark them not only as a product but I was also interested in working models of municipalities that have parklet programmes available. I held an interview with the representative of "GrätzlOase" as this programme really managed to create spaces that are truly public and empowers people to create and reconnect with the city.
I recognized the need for involvement of a development partner who can help to realize my design to gain validation and connect me to local stakeholders I was lucky enough that RÉV8 Zrt. had a "micropark" project going on and they felt that my concept idea could work well as part of the project. We held many workshops to test the kit's co-designability. I had to work on a really tight budget which helped me to create something that is not a concept but really a viable prototype.
This project had a huge influence of how I think about design, also it showed me the importance of involvement, active citizenship and how essential non-commercial inclusive public places that people can connect to are.
During my design process I started with writing my thesis, a research paper on the historical background of compact cities the right to the city and the importance of tactical urbanism and placemaking.
After that I found parklets an interesting issue on which I could build my thesis project as a product designer. I did desktop research on the topic to gather information about current parklet systems and benchmark them not only as a product but I was also interested in working models of municipalities that have parklet programmes available. I held an interview with the representative of "GrätzlOase" as this programme really managed to create spaces that are truly public and empowers people to create and reconnect with the city.
I recognized the need for involvement of a development partner who can help to realize my design to gain validation and connect me to local stakeholders I was lucky enough that RÉV8 Zrt. had a "micropark" project going on and they felt that my concept idea could work well as part of the project. We held many workshops to test the kit's co-designability. I had to work on a really tight budget which helped me to create something that is not a concept but really a viable prototype.
How stakeholders are engaged
The project was done mainly involving local stakeholders. I recieved a lot of help from RÉV8 Zrt. with regulations and project management plus financing. They also connected me with Lehetőségek Tere a local association for youth, who I created the prototype with. Their involvment in creating a prototype was essential as they provided a place to validate the projects main aims. They also provided a space to connect with and involve local people. I consulted with several local concrete casting companies to learn about manufacturing methods. I also contacted a landscape archited who helped me in creating a better environment for more than human actors and she also provided some plants for the prototype.
My university's Innovation Campus had a project about children safety in the city. Talking about this project also helped me realize many challanges in designing for urban environment.
I also conculted with several university teachers,architects and furniture designers to open my field of view as much as possible.
I created an interview with a representative from the programme "GrätzlOase" to better understand their parklet system and to gather good practices.
My university's Innovation Campus had a project about children safety in the city. Talking about this project also helped me realize many challanges in designing for urban environment.
I also conculted with several university teachers,architects and furniture designers to open my field of view as much as possible.
I created an interview with a representative from the programme "GrätzlOase" to better understand their parklet system and to gather good practices.
Global challenges
The project deals with the issue of car-centric urban areas, heat islands and lack of liveable public places-alienation in urban environments.
The kit empowers locals to regain a sense of belonging to the place they live at. With temporary changes it can make impact on long term changes. It can be awareness-raising for many as it gives something valuable to all when taking space from vehicle infrastructure.
It helps in prototyping different scenarios, it is rearrangeable to try endless possibilities.
It can give a shade and create a cooler environment, reducing health risks.
The kit empowers locals to regain a sense of belonging to the place they live at. With temporary changes it can make impact on long term changes. It can be awareness-raising for many as it gives something valuable to all when taking space from vehicle infrastructure.
It helps in prototyping different scenarios, it is rearrangeable to try endless possibilities.
It can give a shade and create a cooler environment, reducing health risks.
Learning transferred to other parties
The whole kit could be created at other urban environments, with a small change to locally manufactured materials. The learnings of the scale-model designing workshops can be transferred as well.
Keywords
placemaking
participatory design
tactical urbanism
building kit
parklets
