Temporary Mobile Everlasting

The Interim just got extended

February 20, 2012 | Author andreaslang

De Tussentuin is a small community garden on an empty plot of land which is awaiting development by a self organised housing co-operation. Negotiations seem to take longer then anticipated which means a bit more time for the garden to linger on.

The garden seems to be organised like an allotment with some communal facilities and spaces. Allotments in britain are normally quite private and enclosed spaces but this one tries to be both public with private plots.

If you speak dutch check their website -> www.detussentuin.eu

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The Danger Game

February 20, 2012 | Author andreaslang

CAUTION 01. Working with vacancy means balancing on a precipice between the social domain and the economic. Every professional practice surrounding vacancy is directly linked to the tax benefits for home owners and for owners of empty buildings …

from:
The danger game / caution
on vacancy
by Aetzel Griffioen

Petcha Kutcha text from Aetzel Griffioen – download full PDF version here.

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Where did the town centre go?

February 19, 2012 | Author andreaslang

Thanks to Marjan van Gerwen for introducing Gebruikdelegeruimte to us. The municipality of Delft asked to create a participatory project for four public areas in the new design of the railway zone which will lie empty for the up to 15 years before development commences. Effectively for 15 years Delft will not have a formal town centre. Residence or interested teams and individuals were asked to submit ideas for projects to take place in one of the four zones. Around 50 ideas made it into the final round and into a little booklet. Negotiations between the teams will now start and those who join forces and go forward will have to raise their own money. Among the ideas the catchy ‘TERRORIST IN RESIDENCE’ proposal – a zone in the town centre dedicated to those who want to let of steam.

See also Doris Denekamps blog entries on ANARCHITECTURE – Active City

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We Blijven

February 19, 2012 | Author andreaslang

We Blijven / We Stay (poster on the window)

thanks to Agnes and Lily (3rd and 4th from left) from the Ria Collective (Rotterdammers in action for affordable housing) for introducing us to the local residents in the Oude Westen of Rotterdam and organising a Sunday afternoon meeting and walk about.

Thanks also to Jan, (back right) a local resident and historian for opening his doors to us and the one of his kind neighbour. The story was similar to many we heard on our visits. Large scale master plans that aim to change the physical make up of an area while pushing out existing communities, reducing the number of affordable houses and increasing the number of privately owned homes. With the profit going to private investors and pushing a low income community out of the town centres.

Jans story was interesting. He moved into the area as a squatter in the 70′s when similar plans were underway. Finally the squatters were given their rights to become legal tenants. Now again they are under threat as housing politics are changing once again.

See also the Right to the City EU website

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Robert Neuwirth on our “shadow cities”

February 19, 2012 | Author andreaslang

Thanks to Agnes from the RIA collective for pointing out this to us. Squatting and temporary use are naturally very linked. Squatting rights in the UK and Holland are being curtailed while today 1 in every 6 people on this planet is a squatter and in 2030, it’s likely to be 1 in every 4 people on this planet.

Also check the SQUATTER CITY BLOG again via Agnes.

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Worm and 2012

February 19, 2012 | Author andreaslang

Césare Peeren from 2012 architects (left) at his recently completed Worm in Rotterdam.

Though not temporary as such the recycled materials definitely speak about temporariness and a resourcefulness often associated to temporary use. Loving those mobile tables mounted on the base and track of an old archiving shelve system left behind by the previous occupier.

Thanks Césare for the tour and impromptu talk.

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Interim Use strategy for Heygate Estate

February 19, 2012 | Author andreaslang

Thanks to Richard Lee from the Elephant Amenity Network for pointing out this very detailed INTERIM USE STRATEGY REPORT compiled and worked through by the local community for the Heygate Estate in Elephant and Castle.

To download the PDF report click here (6MB)

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