Toolbox

This activity tests the Neighbourhood Projects and Interventions Activity through Tactical Urbanism, using flexible, low-cost urban interventions to improve public spaces such as streets, parks, plazas, or community facilities. The goal is to evaluate their effectiveness before investing in permanent infrastructure. By integrating community feedback and real-time data collection, the technical team can refine project proposals to ensure that long-term interventions align with both technical feasibility and resident needs.

This activity consists of five moments: Identification of Pilots and Sites, Assessment of Selected Sites, Participatory Design of Intervention, Implementation of Intervention, and Consolidation.

Moment 1: Identification of Pilots and Sites. The technical team identifies potential tactical urbanism pilots for the list of projects defined during  the Neighbourhood Projects and Interventions Activity. The objective is to identify how each project could potentially be piloted with tactical urbanism interventions. Once this is defined, the team uses the T79 Tactical Urbanism Catalogue to list priority areas in which the pilots can be implemented, define the objective of each pilot, and establish links with the neighbourhood Plan’s goals. Participatory and technical prioritization follows, applying the T45 Participatory Prioritisation Guide and the T46 Project Prioritisation Template to finalize a Tactical Urbanism Catalogue for guiding implementation and refining project proposals before execution.

Moment 2: Assessment of Selected Sites. The team assesses the selected site to understand the current state before the pilot intervention. Inputs from Block D: Analysis and Diagnostic can be reviewed to check if there is specific data already gathered for the cite. In addition, observations and street surveys must be conducted for monitoring purposes, following the Public Space Site-Specific Assessment Guide. Complementary participatory activities to assess the physical and social conditions of the site can be developed using the T41 Citizen Engagement Guide. At this stage, the team should invite residents, businesses, and stakeholders, particularly those identified as 'initiators' in the T79 Tactical Urbanism Catalogue, to participate in this and future moments of the process.

During the site-specific assessment, the team can collect information from residents that can later serve in the participatory design and implementation of pilots and projects. This aims to identify local resources (skills, interests, etc.) from the neighbourhood residents. A simple survey can be conducted and include contact details, interests, and relevant skills. This information is compiled into the T80 Inventory of Local Resources.

Moment 3: Co-Creation. The team invites the community to refine the intervention design through a collaborative discussion based on the T79 Tactical Urbanism Catalogue, defining its purpose (safe mobility, public space activation, or urban aesthetics) and execution type (temporary, light-semi-permanent, or hybrid). The format of this discussion provides an opportunity to explore innovative forms of engagement indicated in the T41 Citizen Engagement Guide. 
The participatory design process emphasizes consensus-building, especially with residents who may be opposed to the intervention. To navigate differing perspectives, the team could apply the Triangle of Satisfaction approach, which considers three key concerns: the design of the intervention, the decision-making process, and the need for people to feel heard and valued. Addressing these aspects—what is being done, how decisions are made, and how people feel about the process—helps ease concerns and build a shared vision.
After this exercise and taking into consideration the inputs gathered, the technical team develops the technical design of the intervention. Then the team socializes the final design with the community and obtains the approvals from local authorities or relevant agencies.

Moment 4: Implementation. The technical team executes the intervention and assesses its impact. Preparation begins with material and site setup, applying the T81 Tactical Urbanism Implementation Checklist and using the T40 Preliminary Estimation of Costs Template to define costs and identify  resources. The intervention is then implemented, with urban elements such as furniture, greenery, murals, paintings, or mobility interventions installed as planned. Usually, local organizations and/or members of the community are included in this process. Documentation through photos and videos is essential for communication and future evaluation. Post-implementation monitoring follows using the Public Space Site-Specific Assessment Guide, ensuring evaluation methods align with those established in Moment 2 to compare pre- and post-intervention conditions.

Moment 5: Consolidation. The final moment ensures that insights gathered from the intervention and its use contribute to long-term neighbourhood improvements, linked to the defined projects and interventions of the Neighbourhood Plan. The team assesses whether adjustments are needed in Phase 3 Operationalization before transitioning to permanent implementation.

This final moment is also key for communicating the initiative and inviting broader participation. The results should be used to showcase the impact of tactical urbanism, highlight community involvement, and encourage engagement. The intervention serves as an opportunity to invite people to contribute to SDG 11.2.3 indicator where they can document their experiences and connect with ongoing urban development efforts. By maintaining momentum, the team ensures that learnings refine the Neighbourhood Plan and reinforce tactical urbanism as a tool for creating more adaptable and inclusive urban spaces.