Intermediate urban space. Design and light art as catalysts for change: participation beyond fruition

Many interventions in the world transform the urban space without considering the opinions and needs of the people involved daily in the dynamics of the city. In this context, the issue of participation has gained importance in several initiatives in the areas of art, architecture, design and the management of spaces, be they public, private, or both. The weight and the degrees of participation attributed to the various parties involved in the design process are, however, very debatable. The purpose of this study is to inspire the production of interventions in the urban space, which can, simultaneously, be closer to people’s needs and offer aesthetic experiences for any kind of person. While referencing Light Art, Tactical Urbanism, and Design for Social Innovation, the research methodology encompasses case studies of interventions involving light; interviews with light artists; and a workshop with students of interior design. Case studies tend to encourage more participation of ordinary people in the early stages of the process. The interviews indicate a sort of openness to people’s participation, more related to fruition. The workshop shows examples including such participation beyond fruition. The main contribution of this study is to shift the focus from the participation of ordinary people to the beginning of the design process, “the conception phase of the design process”. Another contribution is to present and discuss the concept of “intermediate urban space”, seeking to unite the physical and symbolic aspect into a single concept relative to the space of the urban experience.