Shaping spaces of sociability: Social infrastructure and the gentle transformation of Budapest’s Népszínház Street
I’m walking down Budapest’s Népszínház Street. Leaving behind Blaha Lujza Square, one of the city’s major public transportation hubs, I’m entering Józsefváros, a district that
Placemaking’s Dilemma: Creating Connections or Widening Gaps?
What makes a public space truly belong to the people who use it? Can design empower communities or does it risk excluding them? Is placemaking a tool for transformation –
Jardins do Bombarda: From a former psychiatric hospital to a cultural and social venue
Jardins do Bombarda is a cultural and community centre run by Largo Residências, a cultural and social solidarity cooperative. The organisation moved to the premises of the former psychiatry hospital
Fighting Energy Poverty: Solidarity Energy Community in East Naples
The Solidarity Energy Community of East Naples in San Giovanni a Teduccio is pioneering a transformative approach to renewable energy that combines hands-on education with sustainable practices. Launched during the
The social costs of energy transition and the opportunities of energy communities
Energy transition offers major structural changes to energy supply and consumption in our energy system in order to limit climate change. Especially after the breakout of the war in Ukraine,
Gdańsk Participatory Budgeting: a model for enhancing civic engagement
The Gdańsk participatory budgeting initiative, inaugurated in 2011, exemplifies a transformative approach to civic participation in urban development. This program allocates a specific portion of the city’s annual budget, approximately
Citizens’ participation and co-creation experiences in environmental issues
Over the past years an increasing attention towards environmental justice is gaining more public attention through media, activism and civic participation. The PUJ project in Prato, Italy, has explored many
The case against owning: sharing equipment at the Fritidsbanken leisure library
We all have used book libraries but what about a leisure library that allows you to try new sports by sharing outdoor equipment that you would otherwise only use a
Laboratori di Quartiere Bologna: Co-designing city policies through neighbourhood labs
The Laboratori di Quartiere (Neighbourhood labs) is a shared governance model promoted by the Municipality of Bologna, with the coordination of Fondazione Innovazione Urbana and in collaboration with the neighbourhoods.
Building new communities through culture and technology: the case of Budapest’s Bartók Cultural Quarter
In the Bartók Cultural Quarter of Budapest’s Újbuda district – characterised by universities, cultural institutions, art galleries, tech companies, and restaurants – an important experimental project has been taking place
Helsinki Youth Council: Amplifying young voices in local governance
Established in 2013, the Helsinki Youth Council serves as a platform bridging young voices with local governance. Initially formed through collaborative efforts, it prioritised inclusive representation, addressing diverse youth concerns. Over the
Barcelona’s Citizen Climate Assembly: civic engagement in decision-making
The Barcelona Climate Assembly, run by the city council, involved citizens in the decision-making process regarding climate change policies. The assembly was composed of randomly selected citizens who participated in
Barcelona’s pioneering efforts in fostering a sustainable and healthy food system
In the global pursuit of sustainable urban development, Barcelona has emerged as a pioneering city, leading the way in fostering a sustainable and healthy food system. This pursuit exemplifies the
