Our Expertise | Tactical Urban Regeneration

Small interventions. Lasting urban change.

Overview

Targeted interventions that activate spaces and support long-term regeneration.

We explain how smaller, targeted interventions in cities and towns can unlock broader neighbourhood regeneration and support long-term regeneration value. Our urban regeneration work is grounded in a thorough understanding of place, community, and the incremental processes through which cities improve.

Relevant Projects

Projects demonstrating successful urban interventions or place-making initiatives.

Granby Park

Dublin

2013

View Case Study

Our Approach

How we approach tactical urban regeneration.

Activating Underused Space

Recognising the potential of vacant regeneration sites, we worked with Upstart and Dublin City Council to create Granby Park, transforming a derelict site into a vibrant community destination with a lasting legacy.

Creating low-cost, high impact interventions

While long-term interventions are essential to city growth, short-term measures can deliver significant benefits at low cost. Our Reimagining Dublin One study developed a roadmap of short, medium, and long-term improvements across five laneways to support lasting change.

Supporting Community Engagement

We encourage local participation to help shape regeneration projects around community needs. In collaboration with A Playful City, we created The Spiel Mobile, a pop-up consultation tool that supported meaningful and accessible community engagement.

CASE STUDY SNAPSHOT

Reclaiming vacant space through community

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Client:

Dublin City Council & Upstart

Granby Park was a temporary public park created on a vacant site in Dublin's north inner city for five weeks in 2013. Built from upcycled, recycled, donated, and reclaimed materials, it brought together artists, architects, performers, event organisers, local communities, and almost 400 volunteers.

Co-led by Seán Harrington Architects, with A2 Architects as master planners, the project attracted over 40,000 visitors and transformed a derelict site into a vibrant public space. As part of a cross border peace initiative, construction was carried out by teenagers from the local flats and loyalist communities in north Belfast, creating a powerful example of collaboration, creativity, and meanwhile use in the city.

40,000+

Visitors

400+

Volunteers

Lets discuss your ideas for tactical urban change.

Regardless of budget, we can guide you on how to implement meaningful regeneration to benefit your community