In this episode of the CrAFt video series, we explore how the city of Amsterdam is pioneering new approaches to climate-neutral urban living. As one of three Sandbox Cities in the European CrAFt project, Amsterdam is at the forefront of…
This episode of the CrAFt Sandbox City video series invites you into the heart of Bologna, where an abandoned industrial site has been reimagined as DUMBO—a dynamic cultural centre and a pilot project for sustainable, inclusive urban regeneration. As part…
Kiel’s waterfront has long been the city's heart, where ships set sail for Scandinavia and the Baltic, embedding a deep maritime spirit into its culture. Over the years, however, parts of the waterfront became disconnected, leaving urban revitalisation opportunities untapped. The HörnAnkerHaus project is contributing to transforming a historically significant yet underutilised area into a thriving, sustainable urban quarter where housing, community, and commerce converge.
With nearly two decades of experience securing and implementing European-funded projects, Adrian Craciun and George Lupascu are seasoned professionals who have played pivotal roles in shaping the strategic development of the Constanța metropolitan area in Romania. In the summer of 2024, we had the opportunity to speak with them about how their city is transforming its city centre and integrating the New European Bauhaus principles.
The RELAUNCHTOWIN project in Burgas, Bulgaria, is transforming a decaying sports hall into a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) and a vibrant community space. Driven by sustainability and inclusivity, the initiative prioritises citizen engagement as part of its commitment to the New European Bauhaus principles. This project aims to make this building and Burgas a model for modern urban development, blending innovation with community-focused design and green spaces.
Making cities greener is more complex than it seems, especially when creating shared gardens. What looks like an easy project can run into unexpected problems, like people living unofficially in an area who worry about their homes if the space becomes public. This project showed Elham, a member of CrAFt's Core Groups of students, that changing parts of a city isn't just about adding plants or benches; it's also about understanding how these changes affect the people who live there.
In this interview, Karel Koch, Lab Lead of Sluislab and Associate Lector at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, discusses the role of arts and culture in Amsterdam’s Sluisbuurt development. He explores how citizen engagement, creative interventions, and the New European Bauhaus principles are shaping the neighbourhood’s future while balancing flexibility and strategic urban planning.
In 2024, the Czech Child-Friendly City Association launched the first Czech adventure playground. Inspired by a concept from Denmark, this pop-up playground in Prague allowed children to build and play freely. Despite initial uncertainties, the project’s success led to an extended run. It promoted sustainability, creativity, and community, inspiring plans for future playgrounds.
Kuba Depczyński is the curator of public programmes at Warsaw's Museum of Modern Art and co-founder of the Office for Post-Artistic Services, a collective of artists and activists in Poland. This collective's work bridges art and social issues, mainly through projects like Opolno-Zdrój is the Future!, where they engage with communities facing the challenges of transitioning from coal mining to sustainable futures.
As European capital cities deal with rapid population growth, some towns face the opposite problem: population decline and economic downturns. Miodrag Kuč's project in Eisenhüttenstadt (Germany) and Visaginas (Lithuania) tackles these issues in two monofunctional cities dependent on heavy industries such as steel and nuclear energy. He helps residents craft a collective vision for their cities' futures through creative projects and extensive community involvement.
Annick Vanhove, a renovation coach in Mechelen, Belgium, combines her expertise in renovation, team coaching, and strategic communication to assist condominium owners in driving sustainable, community-focused projects as part of her role at the Condoreno EU project.
Peter Hareide, CEO of Sørsida Utvikling AS, envisions a transformed Ålesund where sustainability is integral to urban planning. He aims to attract a thousand new residents to the city centre, boost commercial activity, and create a vibrant urban atmosphere.
Madeleine Kate McGowan is an artist with a background in arts, speculative design, and ecology. Her innovative Garden Caretaker project, transforms urban spaces by integrating art, communities and ecological practices. Her work emphasises the interconnectedness of human and non-human life. Discover her Garden Caretaker project in Denmark.
Filipa Corais—a researcher, PhD student, architect, urban planner and head of mobility at the Municipality of Braga—blends theory and practice to reclaim public spaces for pedestrians and cyclists. Launched in 2022, her Transition Experiments introduced participatory processes in the city's urban planning by engaging various stakeholders.
Cultural centre Sladovna Písek (Czech Republic) transformed a former malt factory into a haven for children and adults. Offering exhibitions, theatrical experiences, and educational programmes, the centre promotes creativity, active citizenship and environmental consciousness. Under director Adam Langer, Sladovna Písek emphasises participatory processes, blending art and education to inspire young minds and foster a sense of community and environmental stewardship.
On 31 May 2024, the conference “Climate Change and Climate Adaptation: Living Below Sea Levels” was held in Amsterdam. The event, organised by Vereniging Eigen Huis and the International Union of Property Owners (UIPI), brought together 45 participants, including property owners,…
Architecture-engineering student Raffaele Tommaso Isernia shares his insights on cultural space DumBo, where art and community dialogue breathe new life into the industrial landscape, honouring the legacy of 90s graffiti artists while fostering contemporary creativity.
Giulia, 27, an Architecture and Construction Engineering student in Bologna, shares her journey exploring DumBO, a transformative urban project, focusing on environmental sustainability and collaborative community development using the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Impact Model.
This double interview delves into Matilde’s and A'mina’s insights on Bologna's cultural landscape, their experiences with the transformative urban space DumBO, and their perspectives on enhancing its vibrancy and inclusivity.
The Green Mile Foundation, a collaboration of six diverse organisations, strives to turn a vibrant street into a sustainable haven for nature and people. Overcoming alignment challenges, their partnership with university students emphasises art, education, and diverse perspectives to create an inclusive, responsive community.
The cultural and creative industries have a crucial role in the urban redevelopment of Amsterdam. In this article we take a look at two excellent examples: Marineterrein and Expeditie Vrije Ruimte.
Bologna is an excellent example of urban regeneration through experimental interventions in collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders, including local business, grassroots organisations, public institutions and academia.
An interview with Orlaith Mayet, an art student who addressed her housing situation in an unconventional and sustainable way.