Public spaces, sports facilities, and parks are vital to community well-being. Yet, even thoughtfully designed spaces often fail to engage diverse users, remaining underutilised or dominated by people already inclined to participate. Why? Too often, facilities are shaped by technical requirements or the preferences of sporty, confident users—failing to address the needs of those who might benefit most.
Pre-activation is a concept developed to address these shortcomings. It tackles multiple challenges, including (1) the risk of creating spaces that don’t genuinely serve their intended communities, (2) the inadequacies of traditional “community codesign” methods in eliciting meaningful feedback, and (3) consultation fatigue, by delivering intrinsic value to communities regardless of the project’s final outcome. Pre-activation is more than a method; it’s a philosophy for ensuring that public spaces foster inclusion, trust, and long-term sustainability.
The Risks of User Feedback
Consider this case study: A municipality planned to enhance the recreational cycling trails in a forest bordering disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Stakeholder surveys were positive, and minor upgrades were proposed to improve access for people with mobility challenges. On the surface, the project seemed inclusive. But a closer look revealed the flaw: none of the survey respondents were local. All were visitors riding or driving in from wealthier areas, those who already owned bikes and were comfortable navigating the trails.
The proposed design improvements did nothing to address the systemic barriers excluding local residents—lack of access to bikes, fear of cycling on busy roads, or simply not feeling welcome in the space. The real accessibility issues were buried in the data, missed by consultation methods that catered only to those already engaged.
The limits of traditional co-design
The municipality had suggested to use a process of co-design but even if they had engaged local residents, conventional consultation methods, such as surveys or workshops, rely heavily on abstract discussions and hypothetical scenarios. These often exclude people unfamiliar with the activity or space in question.
How can someone who hasn’t ridden a bike in 30 years—or has never owned one—provide meaningful feedback on a proposed cycling trail? How does an artist’s impression resonate with someone who’s never felt safe cycling in public? These gaps highlight the need for more experiential, hands-on approaches to community engagement.
Pre-Activation: building trust and lasting change
Pre-activation begins with tangible actions to break down barriers and build trust. In the case of the greenbelt project, pre-activation might have included:
• Access to equipment: Loaning or donating bikes, helmets, and child seats. • Skill-building: Offering cycle training to build confidence and competence. • Guided experiences: Organising group rides that gradually introduce participants to safe routes and the trails themselves.
These practical interventions would work best delivered through trusted community partners and allow residents to experience cycling firsthand, equipping them to provide feedback grounded in lived experience. What’s more, they would foster lasting behaviour change, embedding cycling into daily life for individuals and families who might otherwise never have tried.
“...facilities are shaped by technical requirements or the preferences of sporty, confident users”
Consultation fatigue and the need to deliver intrinsic value
Many underserved communities experience “consultation fatigue,” where repeated requests for feedback on projects that never materialise erode trust. Pre-activation addresses this by delivering intrinsic value from the outset. Instead of asking communities to imagine future benefits, it creates immediate opportunities for participation and inclusion.
For example, a pre-activation approach that involves access to bikes, training sessions, and group rides for local residents. Even if the funding for a planned facility falls through, or planning processes make slow progress these activities can deliver immediate value and leave a lasting legacy, fostering skills, confidence, and social connections within the community. This ensures that engagement efforts have value regardless of the project’s ultimate outcome.
Pre-Activation as a New Standard
Unfortunately, most capital funding models overlook the potential pre-activation, allocating resources only for technical feasibility studies, the build itself and at best post-construction ‘activation’. This was also the initial result in this case as ‘preactivation’ was dismissed as ‘revenue’ and ineligible for funding.
This shortsighted approach misses an essential stage that can transform project outcomes, ensuring that public facilities are not only technically feasible but socially viable and primed for sustained engagement. Consider the parallels between technical and social feasibility: just as we invest in studies to assess a site’s physical readiness, we need to invest in pre-activation to assess how a space fits into the community’s social landscape.
However, all the pre-activation proposals above and more were eventually incorporated into a Local Cycling and Walking Activity Plan, funded separately from the facility upgrade, many working with community groups in a participatory budgeting approach. This plan empowered residents to start cycling without waiting for the facility’s completion, creating a groundswell of community engagement.
When budget cuts derailed the greenbelt project, the pre-activation efforts had already delivered tangible benefits. Instead of yet another failed consultation, the council had created a foundation of engaged cyclists ready to contribute when funding returns.
Making Pre-Activation the Standard
Pre-activation isn’t just a consultation strategy—it’s a transformative approach to public space and facility development. By addressing multiple challenges—poorly designed spaces, inadequate feedback and consultation fatigue — it can ensure that public spaces are inclusive, sustainable, and capable of fostering long-term behaviour change.
If we are serious about creating public spaces that work for everyone, then preactivation should be recognised as essential groundwork, building trust, fostering inclusion, and ensuring long-term success. It’s time we made it the standard.
Matthew Roebuck Owner The Active Urbanist >>