Environmental color interventions on a macro scale: Tactical urbanism and issues of global concern

Color is a common design element in the built environment and is considered to have the capacity to elicit human response. In respect to environmental color interventions, outcomes tend to occur on a localized, microscale and relate to improving visual amenity, enhancing engagement and activation, and supporting initiatives relating to environmental visual literacy, wayfinding, orientation, and cultural diversity. Recently, a new type of color intervention has emerged. Relating to geopolitical issues of global concern, these occur on a “pop-up” basis, carry a sense of immediacy, and relate to specific issues on a broader, crosscultural, macro scale. Falling under the category of tactical urbanism and representing a new form of environmental color intervention, this article identifies and documents two such interventions, both of which feature color as an integral element. In doing so, a secondary aim was to discuss the likely intended outcomes of these interventions. Adopting a case study methodology in tandem with a grounded theory qualitative approach, this investigation represents insight into this new form of environmental color intervention. Outcomes indicate that these interventions focus on communicating information aimed at initiating change on a global, macro scale. Future research will indicate the extent to which these aims are met.