Urban Folies: a creative reappropriation of public space

Urban Folies is an experimental project dedicated to the development of creative and shared public spaces. It proposes to extend the perimeter of pedestrian zones by converting former parking spaces and encourages moving beyond the “car-centric city” model, in the interest of the general public and for the benefit of users, pedestrians, cyclists, residents, and citizens. These parking spaces are being taken over by a new type of street furniture inspired by the “parklet” concept: sidewalk extension modules that offer new seating, spaces for meeting, lunch breaks, or microworking, planters and green boxes, bike parking, and more. Many cities around the world have experimented with the “parklet” model, inviting citizens to reclaim parking spaces. Many cities all around the world have taken a stand in transforming the uses of public space, promoting pedestrian walkways, providing welcoming street furniture, creating meeting spaces, and encouraging street life and the expression of citizen creativity.

What is a "parklet" ?

A sidewalk extension module on the parking lane, the parklet is a place to stop, sit, and interact, providing a high-quality public space adapted to the needs of citizens. Initially developed in San Francisco following the success of the international PARK(ing) DAY event, it serves a public interest and has public status, aiming to offer more space and amenities to street users. It usually consists of a floor, a guardrail, and street furniture modules designed for multiple uses: seating, picnicking, reading, microworking, gardening, open stage, bicycle parking, etc. Providing a friendly place to take a break, the parklet also offers a real space for expression that can host workshops, debates, outdoor exhibitions, etc. It can also be equipped with planters, artwork, or other types of street furniture, such as bike parking, for example. The "parklet" can be installed permanently on the parking lane or be temporary, mobile, and movable.

This is an existing pilot project that was tested in Rosa Parks (North east of Paris) and that can be adapted to another neighborhood in another European city as needed.