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.
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.
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.
Discover how an interdisciplinary group of students embarked on a journey to reimagine urban spaces through collaborative creativity, embodied engagement, and collective dreaming for sustainability in this insightful reflection on CrAFt's Think/Do Tank event in Amsterdam.
Umeå, Sweden, is a vibrant university city that embraces sustainable urban development and inclusivity. Strategic development officer Anna Sandström Emmelin explains how the municipality integrates citizen dialogue, culture, and innovative projects for a thriving future.
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.
Raffaele, an architecture and engineering student in Bologna, reflects on the multidimensional nature of urban environments and the need for holistic approaches that integrate social, aesthetic, and cultural considerations in urban planning and development.
In the waters of the Johan van Hasselt canal in the North of Amsterdam stands Schoonschip, a community-driven floating neighbourhood comprising 46 households representing a pioneering experiment in eco-friendly living.
In the heart of Sluisbuurt, Amsterdam, Marijn van der Eyden's journey unfolds, bridging disciplines from mathematics to the arts. Her passion for cultural heritage intertwines with community engagement, showcasing art as a catalyst for social change in times of rapid urbanisation.
Learn about Amsterdam's hidden underground cultural scene with Expeditie Vrije Ruimte, an excellent example of a Free Cultural Space (FCS) and a project empowering citizens to become architects of their living environments.
A group of eight international CrAFt students embarked on a transformative journey to organise a Think/Do Tank event in Manchester. Together with participants, they explored the role of universities in closing intergenerational gaps and fostering inclusiveness in cities.
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.
Art installations in public space might be a useful way for cities to collect feedback and insights from citizens.
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.
