Learn How to Build a Better Block

Team Better Block is a placemaking-focused “public outreach” firm of urban planners and architects who travel worldwide to temporarily reengineer “auto-dominated, blighted, and underused urban areas into vibrant centers.”

AARP has partnered with the Dallas-based consultants to launch several pop-up demonstration projects. The project shown below was held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in November 2017. When the Better Block crew works in a community, it works with the community. The team offers the following advice and a “recipe” for how to successfully pop into a community (even your own) to lead a pop-up project. 

Recipe: Leading a Pop-Up Demonstration Project

STEP 1: Get the community involved

The people who live or work in the community will determine whether a Better Block effort will be successful. Organizers need to have an outreach plan for seeking input from residents, businesses, stakeholders, advocates, sponsors, organizations, nonprofits, politicians, government officials and potential volunteers.

STEP 2: Use placemaking principles

Every community has its own character. Determine which design elements (parklets, bike lanes, etc.) can demonstrate the vision of the neighborhood.

STEP 3: Program the event

Programming is key in creating a pop-up event. The formula for programming is simple: comfort + food and beverages + activities. Having something to do gives people a reason to go to a place — and return. Having seating that’s comfortable, clean and located

STEP 4: Collect data

Gather data that will move the long-term plan forward. Data collection might involve measuring vehicle speeds or conducting surveys.

STEP 5: Make it permanent

The lasting impact of a project depends on the com- munity’s goals. Pop-up projects are temporary but they plant the seeds for long-term change

Painting the Street Purple, White and Blue

Columbia Avenue, Fort Worth, Indiana, during the pop-up demonstration project. (Yellow swim noodles served as attention-getters for passersby and soft weapondry for mock battling.)

Photo by Team Better Block

Supplies for painting on pavement: Push brooms, measuring tape, chalk or a chalk line reel, industrial-grade duct tape, paintbrushes, paint rollers and poles, paint trays and paint (acrylic if permanent, tempera if not). One gallon of paint covers 350 to 400 square feet.

Instructions

1. Decide on a design
2. Use the push brooms to remove debris
3. Create a frame for the design by applying the duct tape to the street’s surface
4. Measure and then mark with chalk the spots that will be covered (or “masked”)
5. Use duct tape to cover the negative (or unpainted) spaces
6. Apply the tape to the surface
7. Pour the paint into the trays and apply with the rollers
8. Allow to dry (30 to 60 minutes), then remove the tape

Tip: Pull the tape up at a 45-degree angle to avoid peeling off the paint.

Get the Free Guide

Order or download The Pop-Up Placemaking Tool Kit

^{Published June 2018}