POP-UP PARK PACKS A PUNCH

Pop-up parks are an effective urban strategy for temporarily enhancing outdoor engagement in high-density streetscapes.

In early 2024, the City of Yarra in Victoria launched a pop-up park as a pilot project to assess traffic patterns and pedestrian behaviour before developing a permanent public space. This activation took place on Charlotte Street, just outside the Richmond Library, where a vibrant, temporary park was established. Featuring large-scale, visually striking street furniture designed by Streetlife, the space quickly became a focal point for community interaction.

Cities worldwide are increasingly implementing temporary parks to evaluate potential changes in traffic flow, introduce green infrastructure into predominantly hardscaped environments, and foster social interaction within neighbourhoods. The City of Yarra’s 2024 initiative successfully transformed Charlotte Street into a welcoming outdoor space, allowing activities such as the library’s regular storytime sessions to take place outdoors — an opportunity previously unavailable due to limited public space.

Beyond providing a new recreational area, the park also demonstrated the potential of flexible urban design in fostering social cohesion and improving the public realm. By attracting residents and visitors alike, the initiative highlighted the impact of well-designed public spaces in strengthening neighborhood connections.

The city’s planning department developed a strategic layout that incorporated a variety of bright orange street furniture, complemented by natural wooden seating elements. Expansive lounge areas, interspersed with greenery, created an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. Modular planters, engineered to hold ample soil for plant and tree growth, were designed for mobility and could be easily repositioned using a forklift. The inclusion of smaller seating elements added a playful dimension, further encouraging informal gatherings and spontaneous social interactions.

The street furniture used in this project was manufactured in Australia by Streetlife Australia, a company with Dutch origins that integrates landscape architecture and industrial design to create customised, modular and durable urban elements. Committed to sustainability, Streetlife employs FSC-certified (license number C105477) hardwood for its seating, ensuring responsible forestry practices. Additionally, the company has invested in long-term partnerships to support local manufacturing in New South Wales, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally and socially responsible production.

This pop-up park in Yarra will undergo post-project evaluations to assess its long-term impact. Once the site is redeveloped, the movable street furniture will be relocated and reconfigured across the city, ensuring it continues to enhance urban environments. Through this adaptive reuse approach, the furniture will sustainably support social engagement and ecological enrichment, reflecting Yarra’s dedication to flexible and
resilient urban design.