Last summer, while walking through the commons with Priscilla I noticed, on several occasions, a group of about 1/2 dozen people hanging out on and around some bleachers. More than once they appeared to have been waking up there. Through conversation with other passers-by I gleaned that they did, in fact, sleep there regularly. They had maybe 4 dogs with them as well - which may have contributed to their decision to sleep outside rather than some other venue.
This morning I got to wondering if they slept there all summer / what they did when it rained / were they permanent residents in Halifax or seasonally transient / where they go in the winter etc. This comingled in my mind with another thought I had while at the commons on the weekend about how it might be nice to have some kind of (for lack of a better word) gazebo-type structure that you would find in many parks: a covered, open structure, perhaps with a cooking stove where people could come and have little picnics etc. but that could also provide limited shelter for those who prefer, in the summer months, to remain out of doors. I have attached an image of one such structure very close to where I used to live.
A similar idea relating to a transient (I hesitate to use the word but...) homeless population, would be an urban campground (i.e. tent city). Spaces like these are might be popular because of their lack of specific space programming, and because the idea of creating and therefore having a certain kind of ownership over the space you inhabit (as opposed to a mission or other such shelter). An inhabitable outdoor space like this could be worth investigating if Halifax does have a seasonal homeless population, or even just to accommodate those who would prefer to have a little less structured (groan) housing program during the summer months.
B
I had a studio project where we were instructed to design condominiums on a site immediately adjacent to a church and rectory building in Ottawa. What I designed ended up being a series of parabolic brick vaults the were intended to provide the basic programs of kitchen, bathing, common space, but was intended to be largely non-programmed for people to build smaller personal spaces within. The project ended up being more of one of those structural / planning exercises where you try to fit circles into squares in a way that makes sense than anything else. The concept viz. housing, however, was that you would provide a basic structure with basic services, and that people would nest within it. Obviously there was a need to have a few lines drawn in the sand as to what sorts of behavior / activity was acceptable, and some degree of regulation / enforcement. Unfortunately the only image I have of this project is one long section through some common space, but I have attached it anyway (It was a while ago, so no judgment).
Strong arguments can be made for and against the idea of letting microcommunities form by individuals creating their own spaces, but I think it's a discussion worth having. Creating elements of program that will reward conscientious, productive users of the space can encourage positive growth in individual users and a more positive feeling within the community. One example would be to have a free-form sheltered space where individuals could set up 'camp' but that might also have spaces for producing crafts / developing talents that can then be marketed to the community at large: I think that a street-art gallery / performance space is something that could potentially find a market, and could create a positive medium for interaction with the rest of society.
Anywho, these ideas aren't fully formed, but perhaps there are a few things in there that we can develop further through conversation.
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