Faire le point sur l’urbanisme tactique : entre innovations et dérives dans la fabrique de la ville

Abstract

This article presents issues about a popular urban phenomenon called « tactical urbanism », a generic term used to describe different kinds of urban projects and new ways of making urban spaces. These new practices are often translated to ways of reclaiming private and public spaces, are sometimes event-oriented, and are tainted with a strong community-based ideology. Temporary and transitory uses, urban guerillas, space hacking, yarn or seed bombings, park(ing) days, etc., are a few examples of tactical urbanism projects which are gradually interfering with more traditional or normative urban planning processes. It is sometimes used by private developers or public officials to pre-vitalize some new urban projects, and many new challenges are now rising with the multiplication of these initiatives spreading all over in the neighbourhoods and cities. Montreal is an interesting case study in this regard.