LET’S PARK-LET

LET'S CONVERT MISUSED URBAN PARKING SPOTS INTO LIVELY PUBLIC SPACES THAT ACTIVATE OUR CITIES

Watch the 1-minute pitch video

https://www.tiktok.com/@lawrencecasal/video/7347343075477441798?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7348682320549987846

Long description

Our project appeared as a consequence of a frequent sentiment from the citizens of our city, San Jose, in Costa Rica: the urge for open public spaces that enable activation, interaction, and a sense of belonging to the city.

In a city where the main mode of transportation is the private vehicle, and where public and alternate sustainable modes are inefficient or almost inexistent, we observed the immediate need to repurpose these spaces into potential parks.

Let’s Park-let aims to create pocket parks in urban parking spots in diverse urban settings in the context of our city, by partnering with local municipalities, private organizations, and shops. These pocket parks would safely allow for activation in our cities on a pedestrian scale. Our goal is to prioritize pedestrians over the vehicle, and social interaction over consuming. Our parklets are tailored to their micro and macro urban contexts, being diverse and creating spaces for hanging and contemplation, socializing, learning, and on occasion, consuming. Our parklets could be used as art exhibition spaces, workshop spaces, pop-up markets, pop-up stages, or simply, a place to meet new people. Giving parking spots back to pedestrians in San Jose, means fulfilling a recurring sentiment, the lack of public space without the obligation of buying.