As part of the PopUpUrbanSpaces project, a new publication Making Space for People – A tactical guide for cities to reclaim urban spaces and reimagine mobility has been released
The guide brings together knowledge and practical experience gained during the project and supports cities in addressing challenges related to car dependency, pressure on public space, and the need to better balance mobility.
The publication builds on the understanding that streets and squares are not only infrastructure for movement, but also key public spaces that influence everyday life, health, safety, and social interaction. It therefore focuses on people-oriented approaches to mobility and public space planning, with an emphasis on walking, cycling, and public transport.
A central theme of the guide is the need to rebalance urban mobility systems that have long prioritised motorised traffic. Through the concepts of tactical urbanism and tactical transit, the publication shows how temporary, low-cost interventions can be used to test new mobility arrangements and street layouts in real conditions.
Such interventions allow cities to explore how reallocating space and calming traffic affects movement patterns, safety, and the everyday use of public space as tactical approaches support more inclusive, healthier, and more liveable urban environments, while also contributing to more sustainable mobility systems.
Making Space for People is structured as a practical toolkit. It provides guidance on:
- planning and designing tactical interventions,
- understanding local context and mobility patterns,
- involving communities and stakeholders,
- implementing and monitoring temporary measures, and
- using evaluation results to inform permanent solutions.
The guide is particularly relevant for small and medium-sized cities, which often face limited resources but have strong potential to test innovative approaches through temporary and adaptable measures.
The publication draws on pilot interventions implemented by partners within the project. These examples illustrate how tactical approaches were applied in different urban contexts to address car-dominated streets, underused public spaces, and gaps in active and public transport networks.
By documenting these experiences, the guide provides concrete insights into how tactical interventions can support a transition towards people-oriented mobility and more balanced use of urban space.
Access the publication here: PopUpUrbanSpaces_Making_Space_for_People_web-4.pdf
The design of the toolkit was developed by Darja Klančar, a Ljubljana-based freelance graphic designer.
Find out more: https://darkadesign.si/