StART Norman

Norman, Oklahoma – Spring 2014
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Students from the fields of Architecture, Public Administration, and Film and Video Studies explored the growing movement of tactical urbanism and examined the role it has been playing on the built environment in recent years. Tactical urbanism is a term for a set of citizen-led interventions in the built environment, ranging from guerrilla actions to officially sanctioned projects. The influence of tactical urbanism on planning and design fields continues to grow. The course provides an overview of the origins of the movement and considers how tactical urbanism is changing the way public projects are implemented.

As part of the course, students assisted in implementing a Better Block project on Main Street in Norman in collaboration with the Norman Arts Council. Better Block is a movement that utilizes social capital and available assets to create high impact change in a lighter, quicker, cheaper method. Jason Roberts, creator of Better Block, spoke at IQC’s 2013 Placemaking Conference. As part of the course, Jason and Better Block partner Andrew Howard came to Norman to lead a great workshop activity.

Students tested the effects of urban design improvements such as reduced number of lanes, mid-block crosswalk, curb extensions, and a cycle track.

Related Content

• Tactical Urbanism Presentations
• IQC Students Build a Better Block
• Final Report: StART Norman Better Block