One of the main outcomes for this project will be answering questions surrounding how the public react to and interact with moveable furniture. Can we live in a city that provides more flexibility in the way we engage with public space? The observations from this experiment will provide knowledge into how the space is used now and reflect on how the installation may change the public environment.
‘Garema Place was a cosmopolitan hotspot in the sixties and seventies, but has since become a deserted thoroughfare. Although surrounded by great cafes, shops and workplaces, the open space is largely concrete and underused. Garema Place was selected because of the potential of this space to be a gorgeous plaza owned and loved by Canberrans and visitors alike. My hope is that this temporary activation will generate a flurry of ideas and engagement in the space. One way the public can inform the future of their city is through completing the ACT Governments survey (https://yoursay.act.gov.au/city-action-plan). We encourage all Canberrans to jump on and complete the survey,’ says AILA CEO Shahana McKenzie.
The #BackyardExperiment is part of the wider 2016 International Festival of Landscape Architecture: Not In My Backyard in Canberra from 27-30 October. The Festival connects the public with landscape architects, with the four-day program including a Conference, the National Landscape Architecture Awards, Festival Party and a host of more than thirty public and industry tours, exhibitions, city activations, screenings and talks.