ABSTRACT
As temporary use gains popularity for revitalising vacant spaces, it offers a compelling temporary solution to the lack of affordable areas in cities like Brussels, where 6.5 million square meters remain unused. While temporary use naturally supports circularity by reusing buildings, design process gaps persist in maximising material reuse and sustainability. This study explores ways to make temporary use projects more effective by refining their design processes. Analysing existing projects and engaging architecture students in designing temporary spaces revealed the benefits and challenges of using modular systems for sustainable reactivation. Although modular designs allow creative, adaptable solutions, balancing these with functionality and aesthetics seems challenging. Findings emphasise the need for modularity, phased construction, and active user collaboration to improve temporary use practices. By addressing these design considerations, temporary use can better align with sustainable goals and provide more adaptable, resource-efficient solutions for underutilised urban spaces.
