In contemporary cities there is a range of spaces leftover from development, undeveloped or spaces abandoned post-development, derelict. These lie dormant between other functional spaces of the city, voids in-between the built urban environment that surrounds them. Often these are also temporary spaces: in-between what was there before and what will soon come. This temporary character may, however, be seen as permanent, for instance in the eyes of a generation of children growing up playing in leftover spaces over the period of a decade. This paper will investigate whether there is value in such spaces for everyday life and public space in the city. It will examine and determine their function in terms of three factors: ecological value, social value and open space value. It will highlight implications for planning policy, as well as funding, ownership and management issues.
The paper explores the issue of temporary projects on vacant land focusing on London in the 2007-2012 downturn. Using a case study approach, a link has been identified between the success of temporary projects and a longer-term vision, as well as a move toward better integration between temporary occupants and developer/land-owner. Within this paradox the whole idea of temporariness is put under question, as is the traditional mainstream depiction of bottom-up in opposition to top-down action. These trends are contextualised within the dynamics of recession that has triggered new types of creative conversations between parties traditionally considered in opposition and may contribute to reframing urban development as an incremental, organic and collaborative process.
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