There’s more to user-generated content than what we normally see shared on social networks. The stacks of concert snaps, fan art and amateur video are just the beginning. People are also generating content presenting their “ideal cities” and sharing it on a daily basis through blogs and social networks. They’re creating visions of what they hope their cities’ squares, streets, public spaces and even transportation systems could look like in the future.
Dream maps for the Montreal metro
Several dream maps of the Montreal metro system are now available online. In these fictional plans, people propose several extensions to the four existing lines, in an effort to meet the city’s increasing transportation needs.
The current metro map vs. one of the multiple dream maps available online
Park(ing): parking lots are turning over a new leaf
Park(ing) is an annual event that allows citizens to transform their parking lots into recreational spaces for a day.
By Dan O’Connor on Flickr
This project began in 2005 in San Francisco and soon spread across more than 100 cities around the world.
Green and white alleys in Montreal
Several of Montreal’s neighborhoods have transformed their back alleys into gardens during summer and, more recently, into skating rinks during winter.
Green and white alleys in Montreal (Left: Wikipedia, right: Hugo Latulippe, RueMasson.com)
The projects are officially supported by the city through foundations. Thanks to this support, more green alleys in summer and white alleys in winter are now popping up across the city. These spaces are great playgrounds for kids and all members of the public.
Do you know of any other examples of user-generated urbanism? Have you ever thought about how you would transform your hometown? Tell us more in the comments section, on Twitter or on our Community!
The post User-generated urbanism: How people share their ideal cities appeared first on Official Hibe Blog.
