‘Meanwhile use’ is a term that has gained traction in recent years, referring to the temporary occupation of vacant properties or land prior to their long-term redevelopment. The Meanwhile Use London Plan was developed by Arup for the Greater London Authority to explore and promote this concept.
Pop-up cafés, retail spaces, and community gardens are all examples of meanwhile uses. Though temporary by nature, these interventions are not necessarily short-lived. Arup’s Landscape team conducted in-depth research to analyse how the City of London could benefit from activating underutilised spaces—offering mutual advantages for local communities, small businesses, and property developers alike.
The report was designed to be publicly accessible, with a strong focus on clarity and engagement. The key challenge lay in translating a conceptually rich and text-heavy document into a format that is visually tidy, easy to navigate, and inviting to a broad audience.
The Meanwhile Use London Plan is available digitally via the London City Hall website.
