This research unfolded in a broader project on developing a socio-spatial and neighbourhood- oriented methodology for the implementation of a large-scale project in the city of Antwerp. This project will cover parts of a ring road and connect different districts through so-called ‘ring parks’ in the future. The yearly International Design Workshop week at the Faculty of Design Sciences at UAntwerp was transformed into an on-location participation experiment in which master students in (Interior) Architecture, Urban Design & Spatial Planning and Product Design were challenged to look at how two very (socially and spatially) diverse neighbourhoods at both sides of the ring road could be connected. Additionally the question lies in how the interim phase – a construction period of about 10 years – can be designed and appropriated in the meantime. Through observations, informal interviews and surveys with the students and workshop leaders, we investigated how temporal tactical interventions might engage residents who are unheard or unrepresented during traditional participatory processes. Doing so, we explore if these interventions can help to collectively imagine alternative future developments responding better to local needs or wishes. In multiple workshops guided by international artists-designers-researchers, the aim was to design and build for or with, or inspired by, the local neighbourhoods. The results involved social and cultural performances, exhibitions, design proposals, masterplans, (video) installations, sculptures, and furniture, both inside and in public space. By documenting the applied artistic and participatory practices, reviewing the workshop results, and collecting the experiences of the students, teachers and neighbourhood actors involved, we gained relevant insights for co-design and participatory planning. Apart from contributing to methodological understanding, this work brings forth context-specific ideas which are inspirational for the future development of the project area.