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In a bipolar economy, one of the most
valuable commodities one can possess
is space. Yet, in a world with an ever
increasing population where more than
50% have lived in urban areas for almost
10 years – space is underutilized.
The capitalization of space is inescapable,
providing boundaries and limits to how
and when we use it. But what if there
was a way we could make use of the
vacant space which lies empty?
That is where the newly coined term
‘Meanwhile Use’ comes in to play. The
term relates to using space temporarily
to provide an interim solution to vacant
commercial space, providing social and/
or economic benefits. Meanwhile uses
have grown to include a diverse range of
pop-ups, affordable space for startups,
guardianships, charities, teaching spaces,
and artist studios, to name a few.
Re-spacing: Bringing
Back Forgotten
Spaces
REBECCA WEBB
Graduate Surveyor
Global Occupier Services
rebecca.webb@cushwake.comDISRUPTION
The conception of “meanwhile use”
For centuries, we have defined use
limitations for space, leaving a growing
proportion dormant when a use
becomes redundant. The result and
effect is producing pockets of disused
and neglected spaces, in turn impacting
the immediate environment. However,
advances in technology have made
forgotten space, useful again. This has
redefined perceptions of space, leading
us to expect much more from it.
Often occupiers have vacant onerous
space which has been ‘mothballed,’
often unlettable due to quality,
location, the inability to subdivide, or
an unmarketable term. We are also
evidencing more and more occupiers
encountering exponential growth
requirements which is often difficult to
predict at the outset of projects.
34 The Occupier Edge