This paper uses an exploratory multiple case study research approach to investigate three bottom-up temporary use projects in Malmö. The aim is to provide an understanding of starting processes of temporary use through a project lens with a focus on phases and activities; key stakeholders and motivations; and project key enablers. Regarding temporary use project phases and activities, this study found that there are five steps/phases among the three cases: (1) inspiration; (2) ideation and feasibility; (3) preparation; (4) implementation; and (5) on-going operation. Furthermore, the common key stakeholders found in the projects are founders; landowner; intermediary; authority; temporary user (participant, volunteer, or tenant); researcher; local community; and funding body. Although the stakeholder groups were pretty similar, they engaged in different intensities in different projects. Their different motivations can be grouped in three different groups: personal interest; assigned task; or monetary incentive. Some stakeholders had mixed motivation. Moreover, this paper discovers 14 key project enablers: (1) municipality support; (2) landowner support; (3) intermediary support; (4) financial support; (5) communication & expectation management; (6) network; (7) good planning; (8) community support; (9) openness and engagement; (10) partnership; (11) space and location advantage; (12) project team and entrepreneurial mindset; (13) luck; and (14) influence from the neighbor city. The study recommends creating a municipal temporary use activating unit in order to grow this type of bottom-up movement in the city. This recommendation is in line with the discourse of the researchers in integrating bottom-up temporary use into the strategy and planning level of top-down activities. This research might allow future project leaders to get reference points and guidance for their own bottom-up temporary use projects, as well as provides understanding to researchers who are interested in temporary use and other bottom-up urban development fields.