Temporary Urbanism

Freaknik in Atlanta, the Union Square Greenmarket in Manhattan, Critical Mass in San Francisco, Burning Man in Nevada, riots, demonstrations, parades, and festivals all over the United States. Illegal, sanctioned, or just tolerated, occurring once a year, once a week, or once in a lifetime, in a vacant lot or across the city, these events produce ephemeral but significant transformations in urban life and urban space. This class will explore both the manifestations and the meanings of these temporary urbanisms. Using a range of theoretical approaches and different types of empirical research, we will document and interpret a selected set of case studies, hoping to discover their implications for design and planning practice.