Visitation to Subiaco town centre increased by an average of 82 per cent earlier this year, thanks to Subiaco Pop-up Square – a six-week trial space that the City delivered in partnership with RAC.
Subiaco Pop-up Square reimagined the use of roads by prioritising pedestrians and repurposing a portion of Churchill Avenue into a public space, drawing on concepts around pop-up parks and piazzas.
A number of events and activations took place within the Subiaco Pop-up Square, including live music, garden and creative workshops, and health and fitness sessions.
This trial was a response to community feedback for more places to sit and connect, more playful activities and more activation within in the town centre.
Daily averages showed an increase of 82 per cent increase in visitation to the town centre compared to the previous weeks without the installation, with an estimated 7000 visitors choosing to linger longer. Thirty-eight per cent of those surveyed said they would make the most of the attractive space and visit two to three times throughout the six week trial.
Survey submissions indicated that interactive activities like mini-golf was the most common use of the space, and 83 per cent of people simply enjoyed the ambience of Subiaco Pop-up Square as a place to sit and relax. Eighty-six per cent of people said they would like to see more projects in Subiaco town centre that reclaim the streets for people.
The City sought feedback on the space throughout the life of the project, and this feedback will assist in informing future City town centre projects, such as upgrades, installations and activations.
The space was located on the corner of Rokeby Road and Churchill Avenue and took place from Thursday 25 March to Sunday 9 May.