GEORGE TOWN, Aug 9 — What would you do with a carpark lot if you are given full creative licence to transform it into anything you want for a day?
Will it be a park, an outdoor gym, a tea corner or just a lounge area?
If you think you can take on the challenge to turn the plain roadside space into something spectacular and unique, it is time to register for this year’s PARK(ing) Day.
Registration for the 12-hour event on September 17 is now open until the end of this month for participants to take charge of a lot and transform it into anything they like on that day.
There are a total 60 car park lots open for this event that is being held for the second consecutive year after it was introduced last year.
The event is organised by Penang Institute and according to its head of urban studies, Stuart MacDonald, it is a way to encourage public engagement in shaping the urban environment.
He said last year’s event was a successful one, with 44 lots taken up by participants who showcased their creativity in turning the spaces into small parks and unique seating spots.
Some participants went a step further to create a sand sculpting site, playgrounds, an outdoor snake and ladders game, an outdoor gym, a woodworking demonstration site, a still life art class and various themed-decor.
PARK(ing) Day is a global event that began in 2005 by an art and design studio, Rebar, in San Francisco. Since then, the event has evolved into a global movement round the world.
This year, participants also stand to win RM2,000 for the grand prize, RM1,000 for second spot and RM500 for third place.
All spots will be judged based on creative use of space, materials and shade for the event.
A best Instagram picture contest will also be held in conjunction with the event where the best picture with the hashtags #mygeorgetown #parkingday stand to win RM500.
The top five public account photos with the most likes on September 19 will be shortlisted and a panel of judges will pick a winner for the shortlist while the four runners-up will each receive a PARK(ing) Day T shirt.
There is also a call for street performers, storytellers, artists or any individual or groups to activate these transformed spaces into lively spots.
MacDonald said PARK(ing) Day is to spark conversations about valuing urban spaces and how to shift the priority from cars to people.
On that day, Penang Institute will be conducting surveys to get their views on how they would like urban space to be prioritised and to get their ideas for improving mobility in the city centre.
This programme is part of Penang Institute’s mygeorgetown initiative. Find out more about the initiative at www.mygeorgetown.my.
