Activating spaces through meanwhile use

Dima Zogheib

A ‘meanwhile’ or interim use describes a situation where a space is utilised for a duration of time before it is turned into a more permanent end state, taking advantage of a short window of opportunity.

Vacant or under-utilised spaces are scattered across our cities and towns for multiple and complex reasons. This is not only costly but also makes parts of urban areas unattractive. Activating these spaces through meanwhile uses present an opportunity to transform places, making them the engine for local change.

Interim use projects are generally short-term, and deliver immediate economic, social and environmental benefits. They can support towns address current and future challenges, and be a key contributor to towns’ long-term ambitions - such as net zero, health and wellbeing, as well as job creation.

‘Meanwhile-use’ projects have proved to be a great tool to test, experiment, and trial new uses before being made permanent. They can be an effective way to test and validate new uses that could be integrated into the future development. They can act as a catalyst for development, generating activity around them before, during, and after construction, while driving economic and social outcomes. They can be a tool that responds to an immediate need, whilst shaping the identity of new developments from early stages.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, cities and towns across the UK have transformed their assets from streets, open spaces, stadiums, buildings, hotels, vacant and underutilised land into temporary uses to curb the spread of the virus, and enhance their ability to respond, recover and bounce back. COVID-19 is a practical example of how ‘meanwhile' uses have played a fundamental tool to address disruption. With soaring inflationary pressures and the subsequent impact on costs, in addition to other stresses that our cities and town are facing, planned new developments often take years to be built and fully integrate within their contexts. The value of ‘meanwhile-use’ projects has been recognised as an agile response in the context of planned or unplanned disruption, offering flexible and adaptative solutions in both the immediate and longer term.

One of the challenges in city making is community engagement. ‘Meanwhile-use’ projects present an opportunity to engage communities, understand their needs and invite them to take an active role in shaping their urban environment. This can influence and create a distinct and unique identity that is representative of the requirements and aspirations of their community. In London, the support offered to local and home-based small businesses to grow and mature has been a key characteristic of several ‘meanwhile-use’ projects. The provision of affordable and subsidised workspaces, shop fronts and offices has helped facilitate the growth of many businesses, before they establish themselves in permanent premises.   

‘Meanwhile-use’ projects often rebuild the community around them. When thinking of their legacy, it is important to consider the potential social value they can contribute to direct communities and potentially neighbouring communities too. Consideration needs to be given to a long-term strategy, whether this is providing alternative adequate space (for rotation of the meanwhile use), supporting a change from a temporary to permanent use, or decommissioning the site.