Spatial Agency as an Alternative Approach to Indigenous Tactical Urban Design: A Case Study of the Open-Air Lab

Abstract

Climate crises necessitate adaptive, cost-effective, and community-driven strategies to enhance urban resilience. Tactical urban design, which includes temporary and experimental interventions, is becoming increasingly vital, particularly in indigenous contexts. This study explores the spatial agency approach within tactical urbanism, emphasizing low-technology techniques, indigenous knowledge, and decentralized design as active elements in transforming public spaces. It aims to review recent trends and alternative tactical strategies in indigenous settings while identifying the attributes and mechanisms that contribute to the creation of sustainable public spaces through spatial agency. Employing an interpretive qualitative methodology that includes case studies and content analysis, the research focuses on the Open-Air Lab in Dakar, Senegal (Codesign Lab, Paolo Cascone). This project, a small-scale public infrastructure initiative born from participatory design, exemplifies a hybrid model that combines traditional craftsmanship, low-tech digital fabrication, and environmentally conscious solutions. The findings indicate that framing spatial agency as an actor-network process brings marginalized actors and practices to the forefront, fostering empowerment, social synergy, and climate-responsive design. The study advocates for a shift in tactical urban design from ephemeral placemaking toward long-term, adaptive strategies grounded in local materiality, community engagement, knowledge systems, and decentralized networks. These insights reshape the understanding of urban adaptability and provide practical guidance for architects and planners aiming to create inclusive, climate-resilient public spaces in indigenous and Global South contexts.