Since 1995, “Reclaim the Streets” events have been transforming streets, bridges and tube stations into large urban parties with hundreds of ‘guests’. They have been taking place in London, Berlin, Sydney, Edinburgh and Amsterdam.

Once a barrier has been put up (often a fake traffic accident), participants crowd into the area with music and performances. Sometimes holes are dug in the asphalt and trees are planted, sometimes improvised playgrounds are built for the little ones.

Their utopia? To reclaim urban space from cars to make more public parks. Their objective is to inspire citizens and stimulate their participation in legislation that concerns them. The creative, spontaneous character of the events (and their borderline unlawfulness) makes it difficult to foresee when and where they will be held next. Their activists use the Internet and word-of-mouth to make last-minute decisions about the parties’ whereabouts. E.S.

Reclaim the Streets
https://www.reclaimthestreets.net