PROXY hosted “Permanent Impermanent: The Past, Present and Future of Interim Use in San Francisco”, a lively conversation between four accomplished public space activators as part of the annual Architecture and the City Festival.

Moderator Robin Abad-Ocubillo (SF Planning Dept/SF Urban Film Fest) led the collective reflection on the evolution of temporary, experimental urban activations in San Francisco and beyond - with Douglas Burnham (

), Liz Ogbu (), and Deanna van Buren (). Through case studies and a wealth of collective experience, the group addressed big questions: What is the value of this work? What is the impact? How do practitioners actually do this work?

The process of creating place through interim use has no defined rulebook, nor any consensus about what are its fundamental goals. Conversations like this help illuminate what conditions are necessary for successful projects to come to fruition and sustain positive impact.

Related: