Project Code: CA18204
Project leader: Dr. Zsuzsana Varga, University of Glasgow (UK)
Participating researcher at UP FHŠ: Assist. Prof. Neža Čebron Lipovec
Source of funding: COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)
Duration of project: 22.11.2019–21.11.2023
Webpage: https://www.placemakingdynamics.eu/
Description:
The project analyses the processes by which city dwellers, through place-making activities, re-imagine and reinvent public space and empower themselves in urban planning. It specifically explores the role of digital tools for recording, modifying, creating and disseminating citizens’ knowledge of urban spaces in European cities. Studying urban placemaking and digital practices of various local communities throughout Europe´s cities, this project will understand and analyze the influence of digitization on the governmentality of the local neighborhoods and co-creation of public space by various societal actors.
Connected activities:
Between May 8 and 12, 2023 an intensive week of workshops and scientific-research exchanges of knowledge and experience in the interdisciplinary field of “placemaking” took place as part of the international COST Action project Dynamics of placemaking and digitization in Europe’s cities, in Slovenia headed by Dr. Matej Nikšić and the Institute for Urban Planning (Urbanistični inštitut Republike Slovenije UIRS) The intensive week of scientific exchanges proved that “place-making”, especially through digital tools, is a key element in inclusive urbanism. Koper, with its rich history and many contemporary creative practices, has proved to be an excellent laboratory for the participants.
The first day of the symposium was held in Ljubljana, where the opening lectures were given by Prof. Janez Koželj, Prof. Dr. Leandro Mandrazo from Barcelona, Assist. Prof. Dr. Neža Čebron Lipovec (UP FHŠ, the UNESCO Chair), architect Zala Velkavrh (ProstoRož) and artist Branka Cvjetičanin (EPK Rijeka). From Tuesday to Friday, workshops were held in Koper, at UP FHŠ (hosted by UP FM as well), where participants presented their research methods of place-making, especially in places with controversial history. The methods presented were: sensory analysis of place, soundscape analysis, recreating the development of the city with the help of 4D models, discursive analysis of street naming, analysis of “urban happiness”, several methods from tourism management for the purpose of analyzing the satisfaction of the inhabitants (the KANO method) and informal place-making method. Some of the methods were illustrated with the help of Koper organizations and their activities: participants visited the Koper Regional Museum and held a round table on the importance of self-determined cultural practices with the representatives of event organizers at the Libertas warehouse — a local hub of urban culture.