Pop Up Picnic

On Wednesday, I attended a picnic, complete with rugs laid out on grass, in the middle of the city, just one block down from my work in fact. The Albert Street picnic was organised by UR{BNE} as part of the Brisbane City Ideas fiesta - showcasing the new draft city plan and I can't think of a better way to get people involved and commenting on the future of their city.  

The Super Cool Picnic Sign blocking off Albert Street

Not only did this picnic provide a fun way to get involved in city planning, it was also a great way to demonstrate how little changes, such as pedestrianising a street in the inner city can make a huge difference in how we interact with our cities. The use of temporary projects also presents a low risk forum to trial new ideas - and if they work, great and if not you get the chance to try again! 

Proposed Ideas for Brisbane up for comment

A Packed out crowed enjoying the green space

More of these events will be popping up around Brisbane over the next month or so as part of the UR{BNE} festival and I can't wait to see what else they have come up with. It is an exciting time to be living in Brisbane that's for sure.  

Urban Change Makers: Bee One Third

I thought it was about time I not only reinstated the urban change makers column but that I hopped aboard the praise train for the duo behind Brisbanes Bee One Third (recently featured in the U on Sunday magazine). Although neither Kat Skull or Jack Wilson Stone, the geniuses behind Bee One Third are from Brisbane originally they are both long term residents and luckily for us it has become their entrepreneurial home. Urban bee keeping is by no means a new addition to the rooftops of cities across the world and addresses a vital need to maintain our bee population and restore their rightful place in the city. But Bee One Third bring a new meaning the the term "local" with honey being produced on the rooftops of the very restaurants it is used and sold in (such as Gerards Bistro in New Farm). 

Rooftop Beekeeping taken by Andy Leitch via Facebook

Not only are Skull and Stone bringing bee keeping to our rooftops, they also have taught classes at Brisbane's The Joynery in order to help locals create bee friendly gardens in small spaces, in order to provide the best possible chance for the hives to thrive. The attention to detail shown in the Bee One Third project is admirable, with all hives hand crafted and the honey produced bottled by hand and containing hand stamped and embossed labels. These are some seriously talented and clever bee keepers we are dealing with.  If you are interested in finding out more I would head to Bee One Third's facebook here or try and get your hands on yesterdays U on Sunday article. 

When A City Falls...

Last night for the two year anniversary of the devastating February 22nd Christchurch Earthquake I watched the documentary on the Earthquakes "When a City Falls" on SBS. Watching this documentary really hit home for me how great an impact the earthquakes have had on Christchurch and will continue to have on shaping the city centre for the future. What struck me most in this documentary was not only the huge gaping holes in the city where my favourite places and landmarks used to be but the continuing sense of kindness and humour seen throughout the community. 

Demolishing the Cathedral from here (sorry I couldn't find a better link)

Despite little concrete rebuild being completed, even two years down the road from the initial destruction, it would be easy to lose spirit and simple let the inner city deteriorate. This is why I am so excited by the work of Gap Filler, to ensure those empty spaces are never really empty spaces but places of excitement and intrigue (instead of just parking lots for cars that are not even there). This I think is a key element for building community resilience and ensuring people dont just forget about the inner city and become more and more entrenched in the suburbs. I am looking at making my planning thesis based around exactly how this community resilience can be achieved through the creative community action enabled by Gap Filler, so stay tuned because I will be sure to keep you updated with what I find out! 

Making the Most of Empty Spaces Recap

Okay! So I still have no internet at home and with uni starting back up I think I am going to have to resign myself to less frequent posting over here on Urban Submarine - I am thinking about three times a week (and whenever I see something too cool to not post). 

Anyway, yesterday I attended the Renew Australia "Making the Most of Empty Spaces" workshop presented by Renew Newcastle founder Marcus Westbury. While spending my day at the Bleeding Heart Gallery Space on Ann Street Brisbane I learnt some pretty awesome (and practical) things about creating temporary urban spaces and pop up shops in our cities. 

The Renew Australia group are best known for their super cool work as Renew Newcastle - effectively upgrading Newcastle from an unknown, deteriorating industrial city outside of Sydney to one of the top 10 hippest cities in the world. Acting as an "enabler" or as I like to think of it Space Curator, Renew Newcastle give "Inititavists" the opportunity to put their brilliant creative idea into action by putting them up rent free in a vacant urban space with a rolling 30 day license agreement. This process not only helps creatives get their idea up and running but creates activity in otherwise vacant areas, improving safety and vibrancy in the city centre. 

Renew Newcastle project map via Renew Newcastle

The most important elements I took away from this workshop were the need for practicality and clear solutions when starting any pop up venture and the importance of having elements like how you will organize insurance for projects understood from the beginning. I also learnt the importance of involving a large cross section of people from the community itself in order to create a self sustaining and successful pop up project, not just the people you personally think are amazing or the things you think should be there (I personally am very guilty of this one!).  

All in all it came down to initiative, passion and responsibility and it made me want to start my own venture straight away. If you are interested at all in this kind of thing I would definitely suggest you check out Renew Australia and all the awesome resources they have available on their site. 

POP of Colour

I really wanted to do my Vietnam Recap in an immediate two part series, but I found this over on Contemporist before I could get too it and it is just too amazing! The MVMNT pop up cafe by Morag Myerscough in Londons industrial suburb of Greenwich is an amazing example of a cool pop up cafe that doesn't involve a single shipping container! What excites me most about this pop up (asides from its totally rad design) is how easy it is to create a space that feels fresh and exciting simply with some plywood and some paint! 

The front of MVMNT Cafe via Contemporist

Not only does the use of colour allow the cafe to brand itself and differentiate from other cafes, it creates an eye-catching visual landmark within the suburb. I only have to look at the pictures and I want to pop by (if only I was still in the UK). The outside area of the cafe also presents an amazing opportunity for workspaces or meetings out in the public realm, something I think a lot of businesses need to utilize more. The outdoor area manages to look peaceful and exciting at the same time, although I am stuck wondering what will happen when it rains?

MVMNT Cafe outdoor area via Contemporist

So I know I am totally enthused, but would any one else like to see more pop ups like this happening? 

Vietnam Recap - Volume 1 Can Tho

Okay Vietnam travels recap time! I experienced and learnt so much in such a short time I don't even know where to begin, so I thought I would do a quick recap to begin with and then maybe do a few posts with ideas I have gained from my time in Vietnam such as super active public realms, the market culture and other general urban design thoughts as they come to me! 

Can Tho

So for the first two weeks of my trip I spent my time in Can Tho, the largest city within the Mekong Delta. After arriving into the full on city that is Ho Chi Minh/Saigon, Can Tho was a beneficial place to ease into the Vietnamese culture - and to learn how to cross a road! The traffic in Vietnam was probably my first major culture shock moment, I think it took me a whole month to get use to the system of just walking out on busy roads and letting the many scooters, bikes and occasional cars go around you. The sheer volume of people that travelled via bike or scooter was also impressive, as well as the way their housing and shops were designed for convenient scooter/bike access. Almost all buildings (both commercial and residential) had ramps built within or over their stairs so scooters could be driven straight inside and almost all markets allowed for people to drive in, barter and drive out.

The traffic in Can Tho - Look at all those bikes!

Scooters and bikes parked right outside a Can Tho Cafe

Another key realisation of our time in Can Tho was the lack of OH&S and general safety regulations - there were endless WTF moments. This really embodied the attitude of the Vietnamese which was very relaxed with simple "just get it done" thinking which really allowed for some simple (and often genius) ways of doing things. 

Telecom in Vietnam - Look how far away his foot is from the ladder

A man painting the side of a Karaoke building bright blue (love colour in the urban realm)

Seeing as I spent over two weeks in Can Tho I could quite literally talk about it forever and it was definitely one of my favourite places on the trip, particularly as I really got to know the city and the people (especially my lovely homestay family). Here are just some of the  other things I loved about Can Tho; 

• The city was based on a grid system so it was exceptionally easy to walk around and find your way 
• The many markets (especially including the lolly markets leading up to the Tet Holiday) were all amazing and really felt like you were experiencing the active Vietnamese culture
• The street food at the night markets may have been the most delicious food I have ever eaten (especially after many drinks and a night of Karaoke) 
• Many of the restaurants we ate at were out in the open yet surprisingly quiet tucked back from the roads. Half the time you felt like you were eating in the middle of the jungle, not the middle of the city 
• The ability of the Vietnamese to reuse and repurpose waste was amazing and evident just about everywhere 

Can Tho Restaurant with a recycled pathway

Can Tho Restaurant with Koi Pond - This restaurant had monkeys too!

What started out as a short recap has actually turned out quite massive, especially because I spent so long in Can Tho. So I am going to post this recap in a couple of volumes, mostly just for ease of reading for you! 

Shhh...Secret Public Realms?

Allright, I am back everyone and I could not have had a better or more eye-opening time than I did in Vietnam. Although I am super keen to get writing on some of my ideas and photos from my time overseas I am struggling a bit with putting some cohesive (and readable!) posts together - but I promise a recap will be up soon, whether it is wanted or not! 

What I am keen to talk about today is the new trend that is emerging of private or secret public spaces, as really brought to my attention by one of my favourite blogs, Pop Up City. Now they have given this trend the term "Secret Urbanism" and it is a retreat from the previous desire for totally open, accessible and transparent urban spaces. The current feeling being cultivated in the urban realm is that of "exclusivity" to add value to spaces and increase the feeling of being able to adventure and really discover something new within our cities. This trend has even started popping up around Brisbane, with "The Walrus Club" hidden on Coronation Drive, Toowong behind a door with a small piece of Walrus Graffiti. Even the branding for these places relies on the secretive and exclusive nature they are trying to cultivate. 

Branding for The Walrus Club via their facebook 

These places go back to the prohibition era and speak easy bars, and commonly appear to have decor in a similar fashion - full of low light, exposed brick and rum drinkers. With the current rate news travels through social media though, how long can these places really remain that secret and at what lengths will they have to go to enforce exclusivity. 

The interior of The Walrus Club via their facebook

In terms of how I feel about this trend I am pretty divided, I love the idea of being able to stumble across the coolest bar or having to hunt to find the place you are looking for, but I don't know how well the idea of exclusive urban realm sits with me. I think it is an interesting emerging trend none the less and definitely one I will be looking into more!

If you are still interested check out the blog post by Pop Up City.

Float On Markets

This morning I left on a 3 week adventure to Vietnam where I am undertaking a course studying urban design, planning and the environment within the Mekong Delta before doing a leisurely tour up north through Vietnam to Hanoi. Unfortunately this will be my last post for the month as I have not had the chance to line any up for my absence (because I am always too excited about my content and publish them). Of course I am very excited about many of the things I will be seeing (and will be sure to bore you with a few picture based posts when I return). One of my top things to do while in Vietnam is visit the floating markets, especially due to their recent inspiration for the IKEA floating markets in London. 

The IKEA markets floating on the Thames via NOTCOT

Although the floating and night time markets are a key source of income and livelihoods for the Vietnamese people the IKEA markets along the Thames show that urban design and innovative ideas can be taken from a range of places and re-used if applied correctly to the new site. This is a key element of place making and urban design, because if there is one thing I have learnt it is that there is no "one size fits all" approach to place making. What has made these markets look so fabulous is that the inspiration has clearly come from the Asian style market scene but then they have clearly applied the idea to a Western culture as well, particularly the needs and ideas of those in London (and Sweden I guess).  

The Pink IKEA market boat via NOTCOT

There are a whole heap more fabulous photos on NOTCOT. which you can see by clicking here. I would happily visit these floating down the Brisbane river any day! 

Pop Up Cinema

Over the last couple of weeks I have been attending Brisbane City Council's China Town Mall 80's and 90's movie nights. Although these free summer events have let me have a cheap and enjoyable night out (and I have got to see "The Labyrinth" and "The Mighty Ducks") there are a few things I couldn't help notice that made me think about how these "pop up" summer events are conducted. 

Iphone Photo of the Chinatown Pop Up CInema

One of the first things that I noticed was that although these events were all generally well attended, especially when taking in those in restaurants that could also enjoy the screening with their meal, the events were by no means full. I also noticed that there seemed to be few people that spontaneously decided to join in and watch the movie, although many paused or slowed as they walked past. I also noticed that there seemed to be a fairly distinct crowd of families with young children or young couples in their late teens to early 20's. 

I started to think "what could easily be changed to attract more spontaneous and diverse users?" and although I in no way came up with a definitive answer, it appeared that these events  needed a better gimmick. For example Gap Filler who I mentioned here, provided a cinema that relied purely on "cycle power" to run allowing for people to get involved with the event on multiple levels. But that is not the only way you could mix it up, why not have inflatable kids pools instead of seats? Or seeing as we are in china town, utilise chinese/japanese style floor cushions. 

Christchurch cycle powered cinema via news.com.au

Personally, as this is one of the few times I have attended a free public event, I thought it was great and am keen to visit many more. I only want to make them cooler and cooler into the future! 

World on a String

In response to the Guggenheim Labs "Transform a Public Space Project" Irene Guzman submitted a super cool project entitled Public2. The idea was that not only could a public square be created out of the impromptu meeting of features such as food trucks (which I just wrote about here) but it should encourage interaction with the public using it and between the public themselves. In order to create an interactive space strings were hung above the area which the public could move and manipulate to create shade and light as  needed throughout the day for their enjoyment of the space. 

Public2 Project Conceptualisation via Good.is

Moveable lamps were also included within the public square, so not only could enjoyment be modified as needed during the day but light could also be directed at night to where it is most needed at night. I think this idea is great in that it presents a simple and well thought out way to achieve public interaction with the urban realm. I personally would want the space to have a bit more colour - perhaps neon strings? Though I think this is a great project to be applied with a temporary time frame, in order to utilise vacant space as a makeshift public square. 

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Mobile Cities

Now I want to admit to you guys something, hideously, hideously embarrassing - I have never had a meal provided by a food truck. This is particularly bad as I have noticed they seem to have been the biggest urban trend of the last 6 months or so and only seem to be growing in popularity. That being said, Australia and Brisbane in particular only just seem to be really picking up the whole mobile food service trend, with Brisbane's only current contender being "The Bun Mobile" pictured below. 

The Bun Mobile @ Newstead via Facebook

Now I can't help thinking that the food truck may turn out to be one of the biggest trends of 2013, allowing us to have adaptable and ever changing cities. BUT is the humble truck restricted to just serving us delicious, specialised foods? Why can't we have makers and craftsmen using the truck as a mobile store? We could have "The Shoe Horn" a bespoke cobbler featuring the old school ice cream truck horn.  Or "The Rolling Press" where people could simply walk in and have an appointment for their printing and letterpress needs. Not only could this trend provide us with exciting, moving cities but it could also allow for small businesses an affordable way to get on their feet before moving to more permanent (and expensive) premises. 

This is one trend I would really like to see be taken to new levels this year, what do you think? 

Urban Change Maker - Ryan Reynolds

One of the original reasons I decided that my future was in urban design and not city planning was based on Ryan Reynolds and his "Gap Filler" project for Christchurch post earthquake damages. In response to the devastation and large number of vacant spaces left in Inner City Christchurch post earthquake, Gap Filler make it their mission to temporarily activate these spaces with creative and innovative community uses. Ryan Reynolds, whose inspirational TEDxChCh talk can be viewed here (Coralie Winn also deserves a mention for her talk here).  

Dance-O-Mat in use via Gap Filler

Projects such as "Dance-O-Mat", a coin operated washing machine jukebox, embody the principles of Gap filler; community engagement, experimentation, leadership, creativity, resourcefulness and collaboration. This project was such a huge success that it was recently reinstated due to community demand - a true sign of a great community project. Other projects have also been a huge success and inspiration, including the recent "Summer Pallet Pavilion", a project that provides a small to medium sized community venue built by the community itself. 

Pallet Pavilion Concept Design via Gap Filler

 Keeping a city alive and vibrant in the face of huge devastation is a sizeable task to undertake and one that only a true urban change maker would be behind. I say everyone should key an eye out for what Gap Filler help to implement next, I know I am intrigued. 

Urban Hero - Candy Chang

I have decided, due to how much I love doing city. design. buys to start another weekly column, dedicated to modern urban heros that are doing their bit to make our cities more sustainable, functional and fun. As much as I love Jane Jacobs and Kevin Lynch I feel like everyone doing something to shape our urban realm deserves a little credit and a little praise. So today I want to lavish praise on Candy Chang who I have been a die hard fan for since I first saw her TED Talk. 

It's Good to be Here project via Candy Chang

Candy Chang is an artist (one may even say an urban artist) in New Orleans, who based on her biography, aims to make people more contemplative when within cities. Despite me saying that urban heros didn't need to be urban designers or architects, Candy is both - with a degree in graphic design to boot. She has undertaken a huge variety of public art and design projects to make people really think and interact with the urban environment. Most renowned is her "Before I die _____" wall where people were provided with chalk to fill in the blank (live abroad, change the world, hug a sloth). Her "It's good to be here" project featured above was designed to make people stop and appreciate the city. But the project I find the most exciting started with the "I wish this was" project. 

"I wish this was" bollard via Candy Chang

Free stickers starting with "I wish this was" were provided with the direction to place them on vacant shop fronts throughout the city with what you wish they were being used as. Not only does this provide a great form of guerrilla public consultation and free expresion, it also allows for greater personalisation (there you go Kevin Lynch) of the public realm. Candy Chang also gives full permission for public use of her photos and recreations of her projects in other cities as long as the original inspiration is credited, what a way to give back and change our cities! 

"I wish this was" store front via Candy Chang

Transport Accelerator

So, I recently discovered the blog Pop Up City and have fallen head over heels in love (despite being slightly jealous of how amazing it is). One of their features (of many) that really caught my eye is for the "Transport Accelerator" which is a super cool slide that has been installed next to the stairs at a Dutch railway station in Utrecht for commuters trying to catch their train in a hurry. 

Dutch "Transport Accelerator" via Pop Up City

The project was not only used to bring some more fun to the city and encourage urban play but also used as a catalyst project to help revitalise a disadvantaged area. Having an awesome slide also shows that just because something is fun does not mean that it isn't also functional. And I mean, who doesn't want a little more fun on their daily commute?

City. Living. Buys - Urban Exploration Tool Kit

Morning Everyone! Welcome to the first City. Living. Buys of 2013 (and the second ever, ahem). Today I wanted to make a City. Living. Buys focused more around an idea than just a single product that I want - I can only show you so many different types of maps! So todays idea is that of Urban Exploration, which is basically taking a camera and exploring the abandoned and hidden urban structures within your city - as safely as possible of course. Urban exploration has been a popular hobby for a while, but recently I noticed a rise in the number of my friends liking the "Abandoned Brisbane" urban exploration page on Facebook (click here) and it increasingly started coming up in conversation. 

So I thought before I give urban exploration a go (I am still hesitant due to its dangerous and sometimes illegal nature) I needed to make a list of my tool kit to take with me, so here it is - my first ever collage too!

1/2/3/4/5

Now the slingshot is a bit of a joke because it is a super big no no to damage/take anything from where you are exploring BUT hellaslingshots are just super cool and I think everyone should indulge their inner Huckleberry Finn occasionally. But an excellent camera to document your adventure, a backpack to carry your stuff, good shoes and a bike to travel on are all necessities if you are in for some urban exploration. Personally I am still questioning whether it is a good idea, I would love to see more of the city but I am put off by the dangers and might stick to geocaching for now. What do you think, anyone have any opinions on the hobby?   

Semi Permanent? Super Cool

I am currently in the middle of writing about 3 different blog posts (some awaiting my own illustration- eek!) but as soon as I saw this post over on the Habitus Living blog I had to drop everything and talk about it too!  This is exciting because it is a little bit of a departure from what I had originally considered temporary urban design but something that I can get just as excited about! Basically a fabulous creative Melbourne couple have developed "The Super Cool" and noticing a resurgence in "pop up shops" decided to make that market their own. 

The Super Cool pop up store @Habitus Living

Basically The Super Cool live in a semi-permanent state, constantly popping up in new locations across Melbourne. Although the idea of finding a favourite store and upon heading back finding it missing is slightly horrifying, the idea of using different spaces and constantly moving areas paints a picture of a progressive and evolving city. Creating a mobile business also allows The Super Cool to set up in different spaces then where you would regularly expect a store (e.g. a warehouse or a fishing dock) adding an element of surprise and whimsy to an all ready magical Melbourne. 

I know I want to see more of these popping up in the future, what do you think? 

Merry Christmas!

Manchester Christmas Markets @ Albert Square

As a naturally festive person the Manchester Christmas Markets were my highlight of visiting England at Christmas time and I hope this photo gives you a little bit of the festive spirit. Anything temporary, including a pop up market, has my heart and hopefully I can meet new people with this passion through Urban Submarine. 

My best wishes are with everyone and I hope you all have your perfect Christmas. 

- Prudence

Subway to Work

Subway car offices in Shoreditch, London (Nov, 2012)

While recently travelling in England I became addicted to the program "George Clarke's Amazing Spaces" which is like a less pretentious grand designs for the conversion of small, irregular spaces into habitable homes and offices. One of the spaces featured was these subway cars which had been converted into cheap, rentable office space in the middle of London. As I was wandering around Shoreditch (mostly looking for the more famous "Box Park" nearby) I took the above photo of some cool graffiti and subway cars which turned out to be the very offices featured on amazing spaces. 

Inhabitat, again, has featured these offices with a number of pictures showing their sleek interiors (am I ever going to feature something those geniuses haven't found first?) which you can visit by clicking here. Or I have been guilty of borrowing one of their photos showing the inside of the converted car and placing it below - it was just too sleek and pretty not to have! I wish I had known at the time what I was photographing, but all the fun of visiting a new city is stumbling across the unexpected. 

The interior of "village 2" subway car from Inhabitat.com