Nashville DOT outlines community-led "tactical urbanism" program, offers up to $20,000 in project support

Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure officials on a Dec. 2025 workshop outlined a new community-led tactical urbanism program that allows neighborhoods to test temporary street projects in the public right-of-way and receive technical and material support from the city.

"So tactical urbanism is essentially a DIY street project," said Kobi Langer, livability planner at the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure. The program issues a tactical urbanism permit that authorizes short-term installations on streets, sidewalks and alleys and coordinates any additional approvals needed from external agencies, Langer said.

The program supports a range of project types — pop-up events, short-term demonstrations, art-led sidewalk painting, slow-streets, parking-spot conversions and active-transportation trials such as temporary bus pullovers or traffic circles — and emphasizes community ownership. "Community completely owns that and, they get to do a project that reflects their needs there," Langer said.

Misha Adams, a transportation planner, described typical durations: one-day pop-ups, short-term trials up to two weeks, and longer-term installations that may remain in place for a year or more depending on materials and approvals. Adams also noted Open Streets, a citywide program in place since 2015, as a common entry point for neighborhood demonstrations.

NDOT staff said the office provides application support and a suite of resources on nashville.gov/tacticalurbanism, including a mapping tool, an online guide and access to a "livability library" of equipment such as bistro tables and road-closed signs. The application process is defined as eight steps: identify a neighborhood problem, develop a concept, submit an application, undergo internal and external engineering review (including TDOT or transit and Nashville Fire Department when applicable), receive a tactical urbanism permit, install under an approved traffic control plan, evaluate results and decide whether to remove, renew or pursue a pathway to permanence.

Langer said NDOT had secured program funding and could provide up to $20,000 per project to purchase materials or pay vendors, while clarifying this support "is not a grant" and that NDOT typically pays vendors directly upon request. The program also works with community partners, including the Civic Design Center, which staff said assists with design and engagement.

The workshop concluded with staff inviting applications and directing attendees with questions to the tacticalurbanism.nashville.gov inbox.

The city did not present a formal vote or ordinance during the workshop; the event served as an informational session and application orientation.