Akcije Stari Plac – Zagreb

CiTyBee has started to collaborate with Marko Sancanin from Platforma 9.81 in Zagreb on a process where a team of sociologists, anthroplogist and landscape designers are working with architects to involve the Dubrava neighbourhood around an old marketplace in the eastern part of the city in creating a new urban space.

The Marketplace is deserted and looks a bit sad, yet it is surrounded by a soup kitchen, a professional boxing club, a local theatre and off course a café. See photos from the Neighbourhood here

The neighbourhood is a classic Zagreb half wild development with mainly selfbuild houses. It fits the porosity of Neaples that Benjamin and Asja Lacis wrote about in 1925:

In such corners, one can scarcely discern where building is still in progress
and where dilapidation has already set in. For nothing is concluded. Porosity
results not only from the indolence of the southern artisan, but also, above
all, from the passion for improvisation, which demands that space and
opportunity be preserved at any price.

Signs on the station

Based on the great experiments by the students from Sheffield we tested a way of making the station more visible last week.

The signs should be able to take down and redecorate according to what is happening inside the station – or in front of it where the market is happening.

More Photos here

Mapping

We have used mapping as a tool in our work in many different ways, first with Supertanker and now with CiTyBee. Read more about the background for how we work with mapping here

In our prototype in Hedehusene in 2012 we used no high tech GPS or smartphones. Even though we would like to do that, we think that mapping starts with just being in public space using the best sensor for the rich sensory and emotional diversity of the city: ourselves and our senses.

We do 1 : 1 Mapping, Street Map and Patterns of Possibilities

1 : 1 Mapping

Our Street tool Box is an important instrument in our 1:1 mapping. It allows us to get around and be in public space, talk to local people and start to map the space through narratives and dialogue.

The mapping became both a way of documenting stories “in about urban spaces” but it also allowed us to meet the people on their “home turf”, giving importance to a particular space. Many of the people that we met through this interaction would later go on to being involved in future dialogue and offshoots.

By instantly putting up new signs or “Street Whiteboards” we would create a 1:1 map that documented the dreams, needs and interests for that space.

With the new signs and the Street Kitchen we also want to create a situation that shows how a space can be taken or appropriated in order to inspire people to dream of other ways this space could be.

Street Map

We use a big transportable map that can be moved around and stickers that function in a similar way to the “Street Whiteboards”.

The Street Map became a feature on the monthly market in Hedehusene. It was a popular occasion for people to tell stories and point out the places related to the stories. Again the stickers are used to immediately document what has been said and encourage those who arrive later to react on what has been said earlier.

Patterns of Possibilities

By the time of the first public meeting the map has become quite full with keywords that document the many stories. (This is where technology might come in handy)

The map shows how many views and stories different places have and that these stories often see the same place in different ways. The map visualises the many different voices of the community and most importantly gives people a way of acknowledging these other voices. This gives a more nuanced and constructive discussion based on a better mutual understanding…hence a dialogue is created!!!

People are given little blue stickers to mark what they think is important. The result is that “Patterns of Possibilities” start to emerge on the map showing the important areas and themes. This is the starting point for the rest of the public meeting that will look at what to focus on and how to act on it. Finally the new ideas and suggestions are documented on the map.

Phase 1: Stories

In the first phase we get around town with our Street Kitchen so we can offer a drink or a bite – thats always a good way to make people stop and talk.

We write keywords on temporary signs or Street whiteboards and start to make the discussion about space more visible and part of space.

If there is a market or a public event we set up the street kitchen along with a map of the city. This usually makes people talk about memories, local conflicts and favorite places.

We print out stickers with keywords and stick them on the map. This documents the previous stories and encourages people to comment on these.

Hedemarkedet and DIT

The wish to make a local market has been strong in Hedehusene for years but an art project that didn’t really have a market as its objective made local people meet and discuss the future of the town. Hedehusene has been loosing shops from the main street for years and the market thus fulfils a strong local wish for a more lively city.

Locally produced honey

Local music

At the opening the local mayor engaged in a fight with kids from a local roleplaying club.

When we started our CiTyBee “prototype” it was obvious to do that on the first market day in 2012.

A year after the opening of the market Supertanker made a “Do It Together – DIT” action there where we tried to design and build a prototype for a market stall “in and for public space”. This short movie documents the action and was used as our contribution to a conference “Urban Platform” organised by Citymine(d) in Brussels.