This session reports on a project that challenges the orthodoxy of property densification, following investigation of the future of the city centre in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and Newcastle New South Wales, Australia. During the covid period, urban design literature asserted that city centres need more public places and particularly green spaces. However, there is little evidence of a change in strategy in the post-covid era. This project explores alternatives to increasing densification, to enhance people’s mental and physical health, and enjoyment of city centres, while mitigating the effects of climate change. This is in the context of the fourth industrial revolution and reduced demand for commercial and retail buildings. The session will use visual information, from the two Newcastles, and other cities in Europe and the Americas, to explore what is happening in densification trends following the pandemic. It will explore the principles involved in city centre transformation that establish any particular strategy, but most importantly creating place and making it last. There will be a short presentation of findings that poses questions for discussion among the participants, enabling them to express issues that are important to them. The discussion could include environmental, social, political and economic perspectives.
This session will delve into the co-evolution of spatial and institutional dynamics in urban development, highlighting how design entrepreneurship acts as a catalyst for urban transition. We choose the Luchtsingel project in Rotterdam, initially launched as temporary urban infrastructure that revitalized local development before becoming permanent, as our case study. This city-making initiative combined public (crowdfunding and community-building practices), bureaucratic (the City Initiative), and professional (the 5th IABR) forces, providing a rich context to identify the actors and their strategic actions throughout the transition process. By dissecting these interactions, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that drive changes in urban landscapes and influence policy-making. The session will offer researchers, professionals, officials, the public, and communities insights into how emergent design decisions can lead urban transitions by interacting with socio-cultural and spatial-political conditions. Our goal is to encourage the transformative potential to nurture more urban experiments for sustainable development. We aim to provide both theoretical frameworks and actionable insights at PWE ‘24, to understand and drive urban change through design experiments.
Join us in this inspiring session where we will present the Native Learning Garden project, a transformative initiative that has been implemented over the past three years in 10 rural schools in southern Chile. This project revitalized empty and neglected spaces within the schools, turning them into active learning environments that foster a deep connection with nature. Through hands-on activities, students are encouraged to explore, collaborate, and engage with their surroundings in ways that enhance their territorial identity and develop essential 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. Participants in this session will gain insight into the impact of these gardens on rural education and how they serve as living laboratories for students to connect with their natural heritage while fostering curiosity and a lifelong passion for learning. Come discover how nature can be a powerful tool for education and help inspire the next generation of learners!
Join us for an engaging and dynamic session titled "Whose Space Is It Anyway? Navigating Through Fair and Inclusive Public Spaces." This session begins with a short presentation followed by an interactive discussion, where we will explore the critical question of who owns public space. We'll delve into the complexities of balancing diverse interests for integrated development and creating fair living environments.
This session aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of public space ownership, equitable access, and integrated development. Through interactive discussions, participants will have the opportunity to contribute their perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue about balancing competing interests to ensure fair and sustainable urban environments.
By attending, you'll learn practical strategies for fostering inclusive public spaces and gain inspiration for your own projects. Don't miss this chance to be part of an important conversation on the future of our shared urban environments!
Explore the impact of the Kiezlabor, a mobile tiny house designed to drive digital and socio-ecological transformation in Berlin’s neighborhoods. For six months each year, the Kiezlabor brings a dynamic, participatory program to different communities, featuring hands-on workshops, meetups, and exhibitions that engage both residents and local authorities.
In this session, we’ll take you behind the scenes of our journey across Berlin, delving into the unique challenges and stories of each location. We’ll share the strategies that have successfully activated communities, the lessons we've learned along the way, and the collaborative efforts with local leaders that have fostered meaningful change. You’ll see how the Kiezlabor creates informal, inclusive spaces where citizens can connect and engage on equal terms.
Whether you’re an experienced placemaker or just starting out, this session will equip you with the insights and inspiration needed to revitalize your own neighborhood and foster stronger community ties.
Anne Kruse arbeitet zu Stadtentwicklung, Beteiligung und Smart Cities. Aktuell arbeitet sie an dem Konzept, der Planung und Programmumsetzung für das Kiezlabor vom CityLAB. Sie ist außerdem Teil des Teams der Berliner Smart City- und Digitalstrategie Gemeinsam Digital: Berlin. Zuvor... Read More →
Ihr Herz schlägt für den Kontext Stadt und dafür, die Stadtgestalter:innen von heute und morgen zu befähigen, ihren Lebensraum ko-kreativ und hands-on mitzugestalten. Von Design Thinking, über Physical Computing bis hin zu urbaner Medienkunst – mit ihrem umfangreichen Werkzeugkoffer... Read More →
Wednesday September 25, 2024 16:15 - 16:45 CEST
Keilepand StepsKeilestraat 9f, 3029 BP Rotterdam
Join me in this dynamic session that explores how digital placemaking is transforming neglected public spaces in Palestinian Arab towns within Israel. You'll discover the journey of the Qalb-Al-Balad project, which began as a pilot initiative and is now evolving into a comprehensive placemaking movement led by community members, youth activists, and civil society. This session will reveal the unique challenges and innovative solutions encountered while revitalizing spaces neglected due to political discrimination.
I will also share my personal journey from volunteering in the pilot project to becoming a master’s student whose thesis focuses on digital placemaking, using this project as a case study. Today, as an activist architect, social entrepreneur, and MEPI Alumna, I’ve transitioned from a volunteer to the project coordinator at ACAP, leading this initiative with a deep commitment to my community.
This is an opportunity to learn from a project that bridges the gap between physical and digital spaces and fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment within a marginalized community. This session will offer practical insights into engaging marginalized communities through digital technologies and co-creating public spaces that reflect their identity. Let’s discuss, share, and imagine new possibilities for placemaking in challenging environments!
