1. Temporary use
of vacant urban space
26th of February, 2013

2. Let us introduce ourselves..
Rick de Boer
Graduate student RE&H and Urbanism
Internship at NS Stations (National
Railway)
Masterthesis:
Interim Area Development: The
potential value of temporary use during
the trans-formation of Stationareas
Alexandra de Jong
Gratuated July 2012
RE&H: field of Housing
Masterthesis:
The socioeconomic value of temporary use

3. Content
Introduction
Definition
Functions of temporary use
Value
Interim area development & urbanism
Two extremes
Success factors
Sustainable temporary use
What to keep in mind when considering temporary use

4. Introduction
Need for space is constantly changing
Always periods of transition
Recent contextual changes causing
vacancy:
• Demographic,
• Economical &
• Functional changes

5. Introduction
“Is there no end to the pop up
revolution?”

6. Introduction
It’s not a new phenomenon

7. Introduction
How temporary is temporary?

8. Definition
Temporary use:
The planned or unplanned
use of vacant spaces,
with the intention of using the space
on a temporary basis
(from a few weeks up to 10 years).

9. Functions
The function of temporary use may be:
• Programme related
• Communicative
• Physical
• Social
• Financial

10. Functions
Programme related function
Experimenting with new functions

11. Functions
Communicative function
Improving the (negative)
image of the area

12. Functions
Physical function
Prevention of decay,
improving attractiveness
of the area

13. Functions
Social function
Improving
liveability

14. Functions
Financial function
Revenue from rent,
Improving neighborhood economy

15. Value as a starting point.
But what moved me in the first place?
Different functions, different
values…

16. Badeshiff
Berlin, Germany
Temporary Leisure
Berlin
The no. 1 city of
Temporary Use

17. Utrecht
Bron: Temp.architecture.urbanism, 2012
Amsterdam
Vacant urban space

18. Luik Guillemins
Calatrava, 2009

20. Bred
a
Utrecht
Delf
t
Zwolle
Dutch station areas

21. Different functions, different
values…
Social
cohesion
Public
space
Image
Experience
Functionality
Ecology
Identity
But which are needed in the project location?

22. What is important in this area?
• Stakeholder analysis
• Urban analysis

23. What is important in a station area?
Other
stakeholders?
Stakeholder analysis:

24. Zwolle
Urban analysis
Area scale:
• Monofunctional
• Low ‘experience’ factor (NS, 2012)
• Introvert building blocks
• Historical value is currently unused

25. Urban
Analysis
Local scale:
• Unclear entrance
• Bad accessibility
• Low quality of public space

26. Analysis framework
for mini-case
studies
4 focus points for stationarea Zwolle:
• Public space
• Experience (beleving)
• Functionality
• Economic utilization
Next: Measuring the influence of
existing examples of temporary use
Public space Experience
Functionality Economic
Utilization

27. Public Space
Safety and protection (Gehl, 2006):
• Social contol, lighting
Comfort and enjoyment (Gehl, 2006):
• Possibilities to see (sightlines), sit (furniture)

28. Reizende tuinen
Arnhem
‘Traveling Gardens’

29. Noorderparkbar
Amsterdam
100% Marktplaats.nl
Temporary Bar

30. Experience (Beleving)
• Aesthetics, Amusement, Escape, Learning (Pine and Gilmore, 1990)
• Atmosphere: Possibilities to meet, historical value

31. Wijn of Water
Rotterdam
Temporary Restaurant

32. Boxpark Shoreditch
London, Engeland
Temporary Retail

33. Economic Utilization
Direct:
• Generating financial profit by the exploitation of the temporary function
Indirect:
• Creating future value (improving/creating an image; increasing land value)
• Reusable/portable temporary use

34. Temporary Parking
Haarlem

35. Temporary Studenthousing
Wageningen

36. Dumpster Swiming Pool
New York, USA
Temporary Swimmingpool

37. Functional
• Solving temporary problems
• Improving wayfinding
• Improving accessibility

38. Temporary Station
Rotterdam

39. Temporary Bike Storage
Delft

40. Small investment, big effect
It does not have to be expensive to achieve big results…

41. Prinzessinnengarten
Berlin, Germany
Community garden

42. Types of development: Two
extremes
Berlin:
• Bottom up
• Cheap
• Social
Zuidas, Amsterdam:
• Top-down
• High quality design

43. Berlin
Tentstation:
• Bottom up
development
• Small investments
• No focus on design

44. Berlin
RAW Tempel:
• Old Train yard
• Given to the civilians
of Berlin
• Multifunctional hotspot:
Temporary Art, Climbing
Dancehall, Terraces

45. Zuidas,
Amsterdam
Oase (2013, Q2)
• Temporary
Urban Camping
• Top down
• Focus on design
Why? Location!

46. Zuidas, Amsterdam
Station entrance: Before
• Entrance: Hole under the highway
• No facilities for train traveler
Future developments:
A10 under ground

47. Temporary station entrance (Claus & Kaan, 2012)

48. Interim area development &
urbanism
Possible influence of temporary use on the urban lay-out?
• Improving public space
• Creating sightlines
• Introducing or emphasizing urban axes (connections) and building
volumes
• Testing functions
• Guiding and drawing people

49. Plan Zuid (Berlage, 1905)

50. Current situation
• Appropriate end of ‘Berlage axis’
• New facade added to the square
• Improved mix of functions
• Improved social control & safety
• Setting the standards for the future

51. To take in consideration
Role of temporary use:
What are your goals specifically for this location?
What role do the temporary functions play in the urban lay-out of the area?
Development:
Top down of Bottom up? How much control do you want in which area?
Which stakeholders would you involve? Local parties?
Other succesfactors…

52. Alexandra deel 2

53. Success factors
(moet ander plaatje
voor komen)

54. Sustainable temporary use
Temporary use may be very sustainable, if you keep in mind..
Hergebruik van gebouwen en materialen
Kans om in te spelen op behoeften van mensen
Financieel zichzelf bedruipend

55. Keep in mind! / Tips

56. Reading advise
Urban Pioneers (Verlag, 2007)
The Temporary City (Bishop et al. , 2012)