The Green Squares project aims to support the local communities in climate action by piloting a model for joint engagement of residents, students, local artists and civil society in a collaborative process of co-designing solutions for neglected urban pockets in line with particular needs of local communities. The goal of the project is for communities to collaboratively design micro public spaces to improve air quality in Niš.
Title
Brief description
The Green Squares project aims to support the local communities in climate action by piloting a model for joint engagement of residents, students, local artists and civil society in a collaborative process of co-designing solutions for neglected urban pockets in line with particular needs of local communities. The goal of the project is for communities to collaboratively design micro public spaces to improve air quality in Niš.
Keywords
Collaborative co-design ; Air quality; Community-building; Oasis Game
City/Country
Time period
Ongoing initiative
Lever(s)
Methodologies
Pilot and test a model for engagement of residents, students, artists and civil society through a collaborative process of co-designing solutions and reclaiming these urban pockets in line with particular needs of local communities. The Oasis Game method for community engagement was suggested, a participative method for community development used by community members and change-makers working in local communities taking on the challenge of social cohesion, urban planning and welfare. The aim of this method is not focusing only on material end result, but also on fostering connections that emerge in local neighborhoods, thereby contributing to community building and citizens’ empowerment, and to re-establishing a sense of connection with society.
World Region
Scale(s) of the case analysed
Target audience and dimension
Domain(s) of application
Context addressed
Solution applied
Challenge addressed/ Problem-led
Barriers addressed
Main Practices
Impact
Co benefits
Engagement Journey
Impact to climate neutrality
The goal of the project is for communities to collaboratively design micro public spaces to improve air quality in Niš. To achieve this goal, the project has some main objectives, one being: to use innovative methods to support climate action.
Context & Public policy of reference
A scalable model for engagement of residents and local stakeholders is developed, tested and adapted for further use in the city of Nis, supported with the establishment of the Urban Lab.
Building upon the insights and previous experience, including the ongoing Thriving Communities Initiative, funded by EIT Climate-KIC Future Cities of South East Europe project, the consortium developed the Green Squares project proposal in order to contribute its efforts to boost the engagement of local communities in climate action in Nis through highly localized actions, by focusing on piloting collaborative community design process of micro public spaces.
Innovative approach(es) addressed
Initiator
City of Nis
Stakeholder networks and organisational model
- Urban planners (city staffers) - Accountable
- Building maintenance workers (city staffers) - Consulted
- Faculty of Arts + Civil Engineering + Architecture - Consulted
- Civil society and community leaders - Consulted
- Local artists - Consulted
- Residents - Consulted
Democratic Purpose
Participant Recruitment
Interaction between participants
Resources
Key enablers
Key inhibiting factors
- Political: mistrust between residents and local stakeholders
- Technical: limited level of interest shown by residents in participating in the design of public spaces
Drawbacks/pros/cons of the solutions (after implementation)
Scalability
Key lessons
Indicators
Environmental and social indicators: installing climate adaptation measures, reducing urban heat-island effect, and promoting the values of open, transparent and participatory public administration.
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