Is Covid-19 holding us apart or bringing us closer together?
First bushfires, now Covid-19, 2020 has already been a tumultuous year. Amongst everything happening in the world, earlier this month we launched Fourfold Studio. Born from our experience working at CoDesign Studio, our organisation applies human-centred design principles to traditional city-making processes to enable and empower locals to participate in the creation and activation of places they love and feel connected to. Fourfold achieves these outcomes through strategy, visioning, engagement and activation.
It has certainly been a challenging time to launch a new business. But for what it’s worth, this lockdown period has presented us with an opportunity to take stock of what is important. For many this may be spending quality time with your family; savouring your time outside on your daily morning walk or using the time you would have previously spent commuting, to flex your creative muscles previously left dormant.
In the streets of Brisbane, we are seeing everything from pop-up concerts that are appreciated by neighbours to informal pedestrianised streets for people of all ages to safely ride bikes. An opportunity to enjoy local talent and exercise, whilst adhering to the social distancing guidelines.
On a larger scale we are seeing countries across the globe responding in rapid and innovative ways. Mike Lydon from Street Plans talks about how the States, as well as many other countries, have adopted a tactical urbanism approach, as Governments reclaim sections of the roadway to temporarily widen bike paths and footpaths to allow safe travel for essential workers. These countries are demonstrating a willingness to adapt and respond to new urban challenges which will surely put them ahead of the game when it comes to post Covid recovery.
As you walk through your local community you may have observed people taking back the road and nature strips as a place to walk. People setting up picnics and activities in their front yards, waving to neighbours as they pass by, a scene that has been absent in communities since the 80s. This experience has also shown us that when these activities happen organically, without the requirement of complex and expensive permits, it works!
So what is the common thread between these examples? People! For the staff at Fourfold Studio, our current situation has reinforced the importance of our process which places people at the centre of city-making and design. Our hope is that when we return to business as usual, we remember what it was like during this time: to slow down and take stock of what really matters and to connect with our neighbours and community.
We are continuing to work during this period of uncertainty, to develop innovative ways to deliver community engagement, activation and placemaking in a virtual context. If you are interested to learn more about Fourfold Studio, and how we can collaborate, get in touch today via hello@fourfoldstudio.com.au. To stay up to date on Fourfold projects, make sure to follow us on Instagram.
