Over the last ten years, the “pop-up” has become a popular and legitimate model for occupying unused spaces in London – pop-up restaurants and bars, galleries, public spaces – opportunities on the one-hand for squeezing commercial value out of underused properties or land, but also to bring activity and a sense of pride to undervalued places. 

Centre for Cities carried out research in December 2012 in a report called Size Matters, looking at the importance of the city core for small businesses and what policies should be developed to specifically support small enterprises. The Bankside Neighbourhood Forum is currently looking at how to accommodate a more flexible and adaptable approach to built spaces in the Bankside Neighbourhood Plan.  Will temporary uses provide a solution and what principles could be adopted by the Plan?

The roots of pop-up activities will provide the context for this debate.  This session will discuss the future of temporary uses, their relevance in planning policy and their role in supporting the introduction of small, creative enterprises in Central London.

Panellists include: Sara Muzio (EXYZT) and Finn Williams (Common Office), chair: Andreas Lang (Public Works)