Park(ing) Day Toronto 2023. Image courtesy of Dubbeldam Architecture + DesignPark(ing) Day, an annual worldwide, public art project that reimagines parking spaces into pop-up parks and social spaces for a day, is returning to Toronto this week.The event, which will take place from September 20 to 22, 2024, will see people around the world repurpose on-street, boulevard, or lot parking spaces, and convert them into tiny parks and places for art, design, play, and activism. Organized locally by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, Park(ing) Day will invite citizens, artists, and urban planning activists to reimagine public spaces through creative, temporary installations.Park(ing) Day puts a spotlight on the need for improving access to public open spaces in densely populated urban areas. It also aims to promote civic engagement as well as raise awareness about the need for more green and social areas in our urban environments. The events goal is to celebrate the use of urban public space for people and challenge the dominance of the automobile in cities.Park(ing) Day began in 2005 as a design activism project by the design studio Rebar, transforming a single parking spot in San Francisco. Since then, it has grown into a global movement that has featured hundreds of installations in more than 35 cities worldwide. It provides an opportunity to engage in an ongoing conversation about the design and construction of cities and highlights the necessity to enhance the accessibility and quantity of public open spaces in densely populated urban zones while emphasizing the significance of these spaces for social and environmental interactions.Park(ing) Day Toronto 2023. Image courtesy of Dubbeldam Architecture + DesignPark(ing) Day Torontos inception was in 2022 and has been gaining momentum since. Last year, it saw five independent activations, and this year is set to feature over 30 registered activations.This expansion is mainly due to a grant program that was initiated by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, in partnership with SvN Architects + Planners, Arup Canada, DTAH, and MASSIVart, to stimulate more activations throughout the city. The grant has enabled more than 12 activations hosted by non-profits, student groups, local community organizations, and individuals, who are all contributing to the conversation about re-prioritizing public spaces for people as opposed to cars.This years event will showcase various installations across the city, including a pop-up pickling parkette, a colourful balloon grove, and bike-themed activations such as tune-up workshops. Visitors can also enjoy pop-up tailoring and alteration services focusing on adaptive reuse of clothing, a HIIT class, dance and music performances, an outdoor street garden, a planting workshop, and a beading workstation with a local DJ, among other installations.Park(ing) Day Toronto 2023. Image courtesy of Dubbeldam Architecture + DesignPark(ing) Day is about rethinking how we allocate public space in our cities. It highlights the importance of prioritizing open, green spaces that foster community, rather than reserving these areas for cars. By transforming parking spots into temporary parks and social spaces, we hope to inspire larger conversations about how we can create more accessible, vibrant urban spaces as our cities become increasingly dense, said Heather Dubbeldam, principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design.We are all so busy, its difficult for people to find time for activism, but its been said, Be the change you want to see. This is our humble way of making a change for just one day, with the hope that it will spark further discussion and action around the concept of reclaiming public space for people, especially in underserved and more densely populated areas of our city.Each installation will take place on a designated day between Friday and Sunday.For specific times and locations, visit www.parkingdaytoronto.ca.Those who are still interested in participating may reach out to hello@parkingdaytoronto.ca.The post Park(ing) Day Toronto 2024 to return this week with over 30 registered activations appeared first on Canadian Architect.