[Programming] - 20 Ideas to Activate Spaces

The design of our cities is important because it shapes the places where public life takes place. It is responsible for what features go where, what focal points tie everything together, how the place connects to its surroundings, etc. But the activity that happens in public places is even more important. It determines what actually happens there. That's where programming comes in. A public place can be drastically transformed without changing anything about its physical design, as long as great programming is implemented there.

For example, in the 1970s, we at PPS helped transform Bryant Park completely without changing almost anything about its physical design, only through the power of programming. It was once a dull place, barren of activity and a haven for drug users because there were no wholesome reasons for people to visit. When we added numerous fun activities and programs, Bryant Park did a complete 180. It is now one of the liveliest places in NYC and a shining example of the power of programming.

But what exactly does programming encompass? It can be anything that encourages some kind of positive activity, from playing games to singing and dancing to quiet reading in an outdoor library. The list of programming ideas is extensive and ever-growing as more creative solutions are discovered.

Here are twenty popular programming examples that can add life to a public place.

20 Kinds of Programming

1) Movie or sports game nights

A great way to get a crowd together for a prolonged period is by showing something people love to watch on a big screen – whether it be a movie, a performance, or a game. People laugh together, cry together, and connect.

2) Sports competitions

Competition fuels our spirits. Putting competition in the eye of the public fuels their spirits too and energizes the whole space. Hosting sports games in public squares is a great way to add fun and vitality.

3) Craft events

Coming together to create something is a wonderful way to make memories. Having a craft table or crafting hub for things like painting, beading, or pottery in a public place is a great way to get people in a creative and social mood.

4) Table games

A great public place is one that is interesting and fun for all ages. Setting up games like foosball and air hockey is a simple and compact way to increase the fun levels of a space manyfold as everyone, from 10 year old boys to 40 year old women, loves to partake in a tabletop game.

5) Dance performances

People are big fans of watching dancers do what they do best. It's awe-inspiring and entertaining and creates great memories. Whether it be the tango or the swing, a dance performance is a great way to get eyes on a place.

6) Dance classes

If there's one thing people love to do more than watch other people dance, it's to dance themselves. Hosting dance classes in public is a fantastic way to bring together people from all ages and backgrounds to have fun together and connect.

7) Yoga or fitness classes

On the topic of classes, other kinds of classes people love to take part in are yoga or fitness classes like Zumba, Tai Chi, etc. These classes get people moving, bonding over a shared hobby, and feeling fit.

8) Temporary markets

A market is one of the best kinds of programming (that we have written about extensively) because of how it combines commerce, community, and social life. While some public spaces play host to permanent markets, temporary ones for certain occasions, holidays, or seasons are also a great kind of programming.

9) Live drawing/painting

Watching someone draw or paint in real time is one of the most fascinating things you can do. To see an image come to the surface from mere lines on paper is like magic. It's no wonder live artists always manage to attract a crowd.

10) Magic shows

Speaking of magic, the real deal is a great addition to public spaces too. Magicians have an amazing knack for captivating audiences with the unexplainable tricks up their sleeve. Even skeptical viewers often find themselves smiling by the end.

11) "Living statues"

Another popular attraction that gets people stopping and clicking their cameras is the "living statue" – a person painted and covered in props to imitate a character of some sort. The dedication of these artists is incredible and great fun to witness.

12) Comedy performances

People love to laugh! Nothing feels better than having something tickle your funny bone and pulling a chuckle out of you. Comedy acts, puppet performances, and comedians performing on a stage are all great ways to bring cheer into a space.

13) Ground games

If there's one thing the public realm has a lot of, it's pavement. So a simple way to transform a space is to give that pavement a makeover. Painting gigantic puzzles or setting up jumbo games on the ground transforms it from a place for cars to a place for people and fun activities.

14) Parades

Everyone loves a spectacle. A parade is one of the most beloved kinds of spectacles in cultures around the world because it has the power to bring a whole city together to celebrate a holiday, a historical event, a cultural festival, and more.

15) Outdoor libraries

Programming doesn't have to be loud and flashy. It can also be quiet and tranquil. An outdoor library is a great way to bring people of all ages together to read, share stories, and perhaps even create new ones.

16) Professional events or fairs

Professional groups are always looking for new venues to host talks, workshops, and other events. Opening a space for them in a public park or community center for example, creates an inspiring mingling between enterprise and public life.

17) Art exhibits

There's no need to keep art locked up between four walls. Public spaces are perfect venues to showcase art and photography and people who may not have otherwise ventured into a museum to see them can this way marvel at them too.

18) Interactive art

People don't only like to look at art made by others, they also love to create it. A great kind of passive programming is to set up a canvas and art materials so that people from the community can take part in creating something together.

19) Ice skating

Programming during the cold months is a challenge for many cities. What can get people outside when the outside is freezing cold? Well, with ice skating! One of people's favorite winter activities, ice skating is a fantastic winter activation.

20) Petanque

In public places we tend to focus on programming for kids, forgetting that people of all ages like to have fun. Petanque is a great activity that adults at every age enjoy. And all you need to set it up is some sand and petanque balls and you'll gather a group in no time.

No matter what kind of programming you opt for, the important thing is to have it. Too many public places have no programming. Too many parks are just bare fields of grass. Too many squares are just patches of pavement. These public places focus mainly on their physical design features and overlook the kinds of activities that will take place there. A public place will not attract the public if there is nothing happening there to capture their interest, attention, and activity. Programming is what lends life to public places and it is an essential component of making them great.