4 – Tactical urbanism as Approach of Citizen Initiatives

This teaching unit introduces tactical urbanism as a concept and practice of small-scale, often temporary urban interventions initiated by citizens, communities or other local actors. Students first engage with the theoretical foundations of tactical urbanism and discuss its relevance for civic engagement, public space transformation and neighbourhood resilience. The main element of the unit is a planning game in which students explore fictional examples of tactical interventions, negotiate actor roles and reflect on possible planning outcomes. Through this interactive format, students learn to assess both the potentials and limitations of tactical urbanism, including questions of legitimacy, inclusiveness, institutional support and long-term impact.