PARK(ing) Day

Tina sent this link through the arki2004 yahoogroups. Verrry interesting. :)

PARK(ing) is an investigation into reprogramming a typical unit of private vehicular space by leasing a metered parking spot for public recreational activity.

We identified a site in an area of downtown San Francisco that is underserved by public outdoor space and is an ideal, sunny location between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. There we installed a small, temporary public park that provided nature, seating, and shade.

Our goal was to transform a parking spot into a PARK(ing) space, thereby temporarily expanding the public realm and improving the quality of urban human habitat, at least until the meter ran out.

I think it would be great if someone here in the Philippines could do something like that...as a personal project, a school project, or even a company-sponsored one. It's a very simple, yet very inspired idea. :) I'd do it if anyone else is interested in doing it with me. :) The MMDA will probably be breathing down our backs, though. But that's part of the challenge too, right?

A few groups around the world have taken the big step and have used this PARK(ing) project as their inspiration for their own projects. Others who have PARK(ed):







John Gilbert Architects

Glasgow, Scotland

RYF Organization

Trapani, Sicily

Santa Monica Rec. & Parks Commission

Santa Monica, California

Hello? Calling out to U.P. College of Architecture! Hehe. :)

Check out the VIDEO TRAILER as well as the PICTURES. Their website also has a how-to file to help out aspiring PARK(er)s. :)