Planning a temporary city of ondemand communities

Abstract

The chapter explores how temporary urban ideas and values have become embedded in urban planning policy. It examines the institutionalisation of pop-up and temporary places in post-2008 London policymaking. It particularly draws on policy analysis, participant observations and interviews with public agencies, professionals and community organisations involved in the redevelopment of the London 2012 Olympics neighbourhoods. The case of a youth-oriented temporary community space is taken as emblematic of a shift towards increasingly short-term public provision at the margins of longer-term privatisation. It concludes that the imaginary of pop-up participation follows an ‘on-demand’ logic that sits uncomfortably with the needs and demands of urban communities affected by austerity policies and that risks ushering in further exclusion and precarisation.