Friday, September 17th, 2010 In cities around the globe today,
artists, activists and citizens will temporarily transform
metered parking spaces into public parks and other social
spaces, as part of an annual event called “PARK(ing) Day.”
Originally invented in 2005 by Rebar, a San Francisco-based art
and design studio, PARK(ing) Day challenges people to rethink
the way streets are used and reinforces the need for broad-based
changes to urban infrastructure. “In urban centers around the
world, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased
traffic, wasted fuel and more pollution,” says Rebar’s Matthew
Passmore. “The strategies that generated these conditions are
not sustainable, nor do they promote a healthy, vibrant human
habitat. PARK(ing) Day is about re-imagining the possibilities
of the urban landscape.” Locally, HMC Architects is
participating for the second consecutive year. Their concept is
to create a community garden, made almost entirely of recycled
office materials. Used drawing tubes filled wi