Pop-Up City

18/12/2025

The traditional high street is changing, and we're not just watching — we're building the alternative. Say hello to PoPPo, our latest project at in Amsterdam-Noord.

We've transformed a massive, vacant retail unit into a vibrant micro-mall. By breaking down a large empty box into smaller, flexible spaces, we've lowered the barrier for local makers, vintage curators, and creative startups to set up shop.

This is our laboratory for the future of retail. It’s a third space where commerce meets community energy. Instead of one big brand, you get a kaleidoscope of local talent. It proves that the "meanwhile" period of a building isn't just a waiting room — it's a place to prototype the city we actually want to live in. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with a wild idea or a neighbor looking for a coffee, there’s a spot for you here.

See more 👉 https://poppo.nu

28/10/2025

Tired of seeing urban potential locked behind red tape?

We believe that cities thrive on action, not just planning. That's why we collaborated with (Madrid) and (Brussels) to create (H)Activate the City.

It's a practical guide to urban hacking, designed to empower young people, youth workers, and placemakers to take control.

This booklet offers 9 concrete tools for immediate, clever interventions. No endless meetings, just doing. It's a toolkit for anyone passionate about shaping the urban future by treating the city as a lab for direct change.

Curious? Download the guide for free 👉 link in bio!

(This project was proudly funded by the European Union through the Eramus+ Youth programme.)

18/07/2025

A fundamental shift in perspective. Public space is finally being recognised not as a cost, but as a powerful asset for a city's success.

A comprehensive new report by the validates this view, highlighting the "enormous, hidden value" waiting to be unlocked in our streets, squares and parks.

👉 The publication can be downloaded for free. Link in bio!

30/04/2025

🌍 Last chance to join the Placemaking UvA Summer School 2025! 🌍

Today is the final day to apply for this unique programme on placemaking, proudly organised by Pop-Up City in collaboration with Universiteit van Amsterdam and We The City.

'Placemaking: from Practice to Impact' is a 3-week summer school exploring how we can make cities more vibrant, liveable, and inclusive. Together, we'll dive into strategies such as:

🌳 Place-led development
✨ Multiple value creation
🏙️ Tactical urbanism

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁?

🏙 In insider perspective on Amsterdam's urban transformation
📚 Inspiring case studies
🔨 Hands-on design of your own spatial intervention
💡 Learn from leading experts including Jesse Jop Jorg, and our very own Joop de Boer and Jeroen Beekmans

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀

🗓 26 June—16 July 2025
📍 Roeterseiland Campus + field locations in Amsterdam
🌍 Taught in English
🎓 Open to students and professionals in urbanism, sociology, or public policy
⏳ Apply today — it's your last chance!

Link in bio.

13/02/2025

In the shrinking countryside, nomadic shops, swimming pools, and even museums are stepping in where permanent amenities disappear. Welcome to the pop-up village.

We've just published a new trend article, exploring how mobile services are filling the gaps in rural communities. Don't miss out — subscribe to get these insights straight to your inbox. Even better, sign up for a paid subscription and enjoy a 40% discount before it expires!

04/02/2025

Traffic and industry are flooding the urban air with pollutants. But what if we could turn dirty air into a valuable resource? Around the world, pioneers are developing breakthrough technologies to extract water, carbon, and minerals straight from the atmosphere.

The result? Not just cleaner cities, but entirely new ways to source materials for the future.

Tomorrow’s raw materials are floating all around us.

20/12/2024

🌍 Join the Placemaking UvA Summer School 2025! 🌍

At Pop-Up City, we're proud to collaborate with the University of Amsterdam / Universiteit van Amsterdam and We The City to host an inspiring Summer School: 'Placemaking: from Practice to Impact'.

How can we transform cities into vibrant, liveable, and inclusive places? Over the course of 3 weeks, we'll explore the world of placemaking and innovative strategies such as:

🌳 Place-led development
✨ Multiple value creation
🏙️ Tactical urbanism

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭?

🏙 A behind-the-scenes look at Amsterdam’s transformation areas.
Inspiration from fascinating case studies
🔨 Hands-on experience: design your own intervention to improve urban spaces
💡 Learn from experts such as Jesse Jop Jorg (We The City), and our very own Joop de Boer and Jeroen Beekmans

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬

🗓️ When: 26 June—16 July 2025
📍 Where: Roeterseiland Campus and various locations across Amsterdam
🌍 Language: English
🎓 Who: students and professionals interested in urban studies, sociology, or policymaking

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐰!

• Early admission deadline: 1 February 2025
• Regular admission deadline: 15 March 2025

𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞? 👉 https://pu.city/4ft7XHG

19/12/2024

🚶‍♂️ 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🚶‍♀️

In Amsterdam's Amstel III, we've developed a flexible and modular wayfinding system that reflects the dynamic energy of a neighbourhood in transition. With 12 vibrant signposts, we guide residents and visitors to new restaurants, shops, cultural hotspots, and hidden gems. 🌆✨

This adaptable system grows with the area, pointing the way to upcoming parks and evolving spaces. To complement the signs, we’ve also created a detailed map featuring 71 local highlights — a perfect introduction for new residents as they settle into their ever-changing community.

The project, in collaboration with Studio Bureau and Sparks Productions, transforms streets into an invitation to explore and connect with Amstel III, today and tomorrow.

In the future, we hope to launch the wayfinding system in other urban areas as well. Want to know more about this project? Link in bio!

24/10/2024

(𝐇)𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲!

Our recent 3-day design lab in Madrid, alongside Urban Foxes and Basurama Asociación, saw a burst of innovative ideas as we co-created a range of urban interventions and hacks. From QR-code-based social networks and a space exploration vehicle to a parachute-delivered street food restaurant, we're creating a toolkit to empower young city dwellers to tinker with their city. Thanks everyone for an unforgettable time!

(This project was proudly co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Youth programme, project code KA210-YOU-EF7E915B.)

10/10/2024

What would your street look like without cars, but with an outdoor cinema, a sauna, or even a playground?

In Utrecht, RAUM is making this a reality with their Pop-Up Parking Service. This innovative service transforms everyday parking spaces into vibrant, temporary parklets, giving city residents a chance to reimagine their neighbourhood.

Explore the full story 👉 https://pu.city/4eYDuBp

📸 by Juri Hiensch and Tom Baas (via RAUM)

26/09/2024

Ever wondered how the Balkans have managed to keep the tradition of kitchen gardens alive? Discover how these simple yet nutritious gardens are not only a cultural heritage but also a valuable tool for urban planning. Read more about how these inspiring gardens can inspire a more self-sufficient Europe.

In many parts of the world, the concept of a kitchen garden has largely become a thing of the past. In the Balkans, however, this tradition is still alive and kicking, providing inspiration for Europe…