Tactical Urbanism in Downtown Santiago: A Successful Management Model, Though Limited in Its Thermal Livability

Abstract

Tactical urbanism responds to the need to revitalise small-scale public spaces that are in disrepair or disuse and require temporary, low-budget repairs, using creative design to promote pedestrianization. Eight years ago, a tactical urbanism project was implemented in downtown Santiago, which modified vehicular traffic to pedestrian use supported by urban art, traditional street furniture, and smart city technology. Evaluating intangible aspects such as the urban management model and thermal livability represent innovative objectives for interdisciplinary research. The project received national awards and was apparently successful, but it was inadequate for extreme climate change events. Unveiling the management model and physical behaviour during a heat wave guided the methodology: (i) A literature review, interviews with decision-makers, and (ii) three days of on-site monitoring on Bandera Street. The model’s contribution enabled rapid execution and synergy between governance, capital, technology, and art, constituting a replicable framework. In addition, livability considered a thermal indicator that transcends the usual meteorological variables, including the physiological reaction of the human body. Extreme heat stress levels were discovered, a relevant finding to guide small-scale climate adaptation actions.