Planning Guidelines for Parklets Installation: A Possibile Integration into Urban Planning Strategies

In the context of street experiments (SE)—urban interventions that have gained prominence in the new millennium, particularly in the last decade, aiming to create more livable cities by prioritizing vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, this study focuses specifically on parklets. Parklets are included within the SE category of "re-purposing parking spaces" and are designed to enhance social interaction, walkability, and the overall quality of life, as widely documented in the literature. This research aims to develop planning guidelines for parklet implementation based on a physical analysis that considers key location criteria derived from existing literature and best practices worldwide. Additionally, the study integrates insights from semi-structured interviews conducted in Parma, Italy, with stakeholders involved in recent parklet initiatives. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide public administrations a comprehensive framework for facilitating the approval process of such interventions, ultimately supporting the integration of tactical urbanism into long-term urban planning strategies. While public authorities currently play a crucial role in approving parklet projects, the approval process remains complex. Although these guidelines are initially designed for medium-sized cities, their neighborhood-based approach allows for potential adaptation to larger urban contexts in the future.