Pop Up Oasis
Being close to and immersed in nature are good for our health. Urban dwellers are busy and often do not have easy access to this positive condition in their hectic daily lives. Introducing micro-nature, a.k.a. Pop Up Oasis, to the most prevalent and most used public space - street and sidewalk - will make it much easier for urbanites to experience nature's embrace in their daily routine. This is in addition to the current sidewalk vegetation, which is sterile and decorative instead of recreating the comfort of nature. The common plant choices also don’t reflect the locality. The Pop Up Oases are perforated shelters / enclosures made with grid like wood frames. The grid system will allow space for planting on all the surfaces – walls and roof, while being structurally modular, simple and strong. Plants will be native to Ontario – an important choice that will reduce upkeep and promote healthier local ecosystem. When inside the oasis, the human being will be surrounded by a micro-nature on almost all sides and shielded from the gray concrete jungle. The oases will be placed in popular foot traffic area around the city, offering easily accessible and temporary relief en route. It can also be modified into passageways or replace bus shelters.