The Second Space: Finding Space for Creative People program pilot in 2023 was an initiative undertaken by the City Renewal Authority with core objectives to increase pedestrian footfall, reduce vacancy rates, create a welcoming environment for creative professionals and businesses and develop the narrative of the City West area in Canberra as a destination for new ideas and innovation. Town Team Movement worked closely with the City Renewal Authority for over 12 months to develop a framework and guidelines for collaboration and implementation of the program that would connect local creatives and start-ups with disused spaces and evaluate the program’s impact.
The pilot involved five stages, including developing a framework, connecting with property owners, identifying key stakeholders, implementing the program, and evaluating its effectiveness. It tested all aspects of implementation including logistics, regulatory frameworks, building owner relationships and permissions, community and creative engagement, funding opportunities, space management and public interaction with activations.
The pilot successfully provided spaces to four separate groups across three vacant spaces at no cost other than an administrative fee or their in-kind contribution to the program and supported small-scale creative and cultural uses within underutilised buildings in the Canberra CBD with high-quality visual outcomes, from small, temporary activations to longer, more impactful activations.
The pilot helped the Authority to better understand the complexities of providing ‘Second Spaces’ and was considered very successful in establishing the framework, building local partnerships and tangible recommendations for the long-term objectives of the Second Space Program which were to provide a program that could attract investment, shift perceptions, and entice locals and visitors to explore and rediscover the city and wider Canberra.
- Worked closely with the City Renewal Authority over 12 months to develop a framework and guidelines for the Second Space program - connecting local creatives and start-ups with vacant spaces in Canberra's City West area
- The pilot ran across five stages: developing the framework, engaging property owners, identifying stakeholders, implementing the program, and evaluating its effectiveness
- Tested all key aspects of delivery including logistics, regulatory requirements, building owner relationships, creative engagement, funding, space management, and public interaction
- Successfully placed four groups across three vacant spaces, supporting small-scale creative and cultural uses at no cost beyond an administrative fee or in-kind contribution
- Delivered high-quality visual outcomes ranging from small temporary activations to longer, more impactful installations
- The pilot helped the Authority better understand the complexities of running a Second Spaces program and was considered very successful in establishing the framework and building local partnerships -Generated tangible recommendations to support the long-term program goal of attracting investment, shifting perceptions, and encouraging people to explore and rediscover the city
