Why Street Experiments?
Street Experiments are a Smarter Approach to Urban Transformation
Planning is often bogged down by lengthy approval processes and public resistance, leading to stalled or abandoned projects. Street experiments offer a dynamic alternative—temporary, low-cost urban interventions that allow the City to remove the guesswork, allowing us to test design ideas before committing resources.
Street Experiments are Cost-Effective
Redesigning streets requires significant financial investment—construction, signage, traffic control, and engineering studies quickly add up. Without certainty that a project will succeed, the City risks wasting valuable resources. Street experiments provide a low-cost, low-risk way to test concepts, gathering real-world data that informs evidence-based decision-making and justifies lasting change.
Street Experiments Foster Public Participation
Unlike traditional consultation methods held in suburban meeting halls, street experiments make urban transformation tangible and interactive. When residents experience changes firsthand, they provide meaningful, immediate feedback, leading to broader community support for permanent upgrades.
Street Experiments Drive Effective Change
Instead of waiting for the perfect plan, cities should prioritize action over process, embracing a culture of urban adaptability. By encouraging imaginative city-building, street experiments enable cities to create more livable, engaging public spaces while minimizing long-term financial risk.
Key Resource: Vancouver’s Tactical Urbanism Toolkit
Contains strategies, rule / standards frameworks, etc.