Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC) placemaking projects are low-cost, short-term, and often temporary installations that can quickly improve a space before investing in permanent solutions.
The term, coined over 40 years ago, continues to influence downtown development with projects ranging from quick low-cost approaches to pedestrian safety to creating green gathering spaces when and where they are needed most.
For example, in Austin, TX, an LQC project provided data the city needed to move forward with permanent alley activations.
Historically, downtown alleys were seen as unsafe eyesores only suitable for things like trash collection and deliveries. To take greater advantage of these spaces, the city formed a Downtown Alley Working Group. Instead of jumping straight into making changes, the group decided to create a case study alley activation to prove the value of downtown alleys as public open space.
Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper techniques and volunteers were used to activate half of an alley for four days, while the other half remained accessible for trash removal and delivery trucks. Diverse programming and art installations were planned to demonstrate use of the alley for meetings, outdoor work space, play space, public art, and cultural events.
Survey responses from event participants were overwhelmingly positive.
LQC projects are covered regularly in Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter.
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