http://www.seenetwork.org 2010-07-31 12:54:22 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 en daily 1 http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/164/ 2010-07-31 12:54:22 Case study: The Faculteta Romani neighbourhood, Sofia, Bulgaria Meeting and workshop, June 3–5, 2010 ADAPTations 1 in collaboration with Archis Interventions and Frontal (Bucharest) One of the major challenges in urban development today is to successfully integrate the informal urban settlements that developed on the outskirts of large cities following the collapse of state socialism. In Bulgaria, the residents of such settlements are almost exclusively Romani. This minority community consequently has to deal not only with the severe infrastructural problems typical of informal settlements but also with social isolation arising from de facto ethnic segregation. To move beyond resentment, racial prejudice and social isolation, and turn these ethnic enclaves into a place for cultural exchange and positive social interaction is the main goal of the project. The project's primary focus is 'Fakulteta', one of Bulgaria's biggest Romani neighbourhoods, located on 180 hectares, on the western outskirts of Sofia. Most buildings there were built without a construction permit and lack basic amenities. It is estimated that 40,000 people live in 'Fakulteta'. Developing mutual trust between the national and regional governments and Romani community organizations is crucial to realizing effective programmes, community participation and viable solutions. The top-down approach will therefore be supplemented by bottom-up strategies. Urban integration problems and prospects were discussed at meetings arranged with the support of non-governmental Romani organizations and/or residents of “Fakulteta”. Representatives of the municipality as well as local and international professionals from the fields of social and political science, architecture, urbanism and economics also attended several meetings and a workshop, where the current situation, past experience, and future steps and strategies were discussed.]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/160/ 2010-07-31 12:50:47 Central House of Artists, May 26 – June 8, 2010 The second Moscow Architecture Biennale focused on the question of how to modernize the existing city. As curator Bart Goldhoorn stated, "In the first decade of the 21st century, Russia hoped to be able to create new cities that would offer new environments for new ways of living. Now, both credit and climate crisis make us realize that we should focus on creating this new city from within. In the coming years or even decades, the task of architects and urbanists is not to build new cities on pristine land, but to deal with existing cities: cities that are often badly designed to start with, that are slowly falling apart, and that are inadequate for contemporary life. These are wasteful cities – this is their major problem, but also the key to their revival. Modernization can be financed by making the city more efficient: by reducing energy consumption, by increasing density, by restructuring open space and by developing an economical and social infrastructure that will create jobs and improve the quality of life". In 2009 the project, 'MAGIC BLOCKS', (an Archis Interventions, Zeppelin and Point 4 initiative, launched in cooperation with ATU, Space Syntax Romania, Hackenbroich Architekten and Platforma 9,81), developed scenarios for the future development and use of socialist-era housing estates in Bucharest. The project was presented both in the exhibition 'Modernization of Modernism', and on May 28 – in a lecture by Constantin Goagea of Zeppelin Association, Bucharest – as part of the panel discussion 'MODERNISM -/+'.]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/158/ 2010-06-03 14:03:05 Workshop and Research in Cyprus, May 14-16, 2010 In collaboration with the Urban Research & Development Center (URDC) of Eastern Mediterranean University, Gazimagusa/Famagusta The meeting - which included a site visit to Dip Karpaz/Rizokarpasso and a 2-day workshop in Gazimagusa/Famagusta at the Eastern Mediterranean University Cyprus - resulted in us setting up a local informal group that will subsequently take the form of an NGO affiliated to the Archis network. Our aim thereby is to encourage urban projects in Cyprus, which improve the living conditions and the environment for all citizens, create innovative and integrative conditions for the development of Cyprus, seek ways to move beyond the borders imposed by powerful elites, and to weaken the hold of entrenched psychological barriers. The local informal group, and thus the future NGO, will develop with the support of Archis Interventions two research projects that will underpin future activities: _ critical research into urban projects developed over the last 36 years, the focus of which was to establish collaborative participation between Cyprus' two communities. The majority of these projects dealt with the spatial implications of the division of the country. They had an urban perspective or were related in some way to the urban fabric ("buffer zone/green line"). Most of them failed or had only partial success. Analysis of their histories would contribute to both international and local political and urban discourse, and help to clarify the NGO's future strategies. _ research into the situation in Dip Karpaz/Rizokarpasso, a village in North Cyprus inhabited by members of both communities, with the aim of developing future strategic actions and interventions. ]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/156/ 2010-05-21 13:59:49 Auditorium, Netherlands Architecture Institute (Nai), Rotterdam 3. + 4. May 2010 A cooperative project of Archis Interventions, the NAI, Partizan Publik and the University of Amsterdam The project Architecture of Peace calls upon professionals from the fields of architecture, urbanism, development studies, sociology and conflict studies to engage in long-term research and action directed at rebuilding the post-conflict city. The inaugural conference presented a variety of professionals with a background in resolving urban conflicts. On the first day, lectures were delivered by Sultan Barakat of the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU), Department of Politics, University of York; Cees Hamelink of the Free University Amsterdam; Hilton Judin of the Witwatersand University, Johannesburg; Jolyon Leslie of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Afghanistan; Paul van Tongeren of Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC); Kai Vöckler of Archis Interventions. The second day included presentations on Kabul by Allard Wagemaker of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, International Security Studies Department, Netherlands Defense Academy, Breda; and on Nicosia by Gert Breugem of the Urban Development Department, Almere. Lecturers and guests further explored these themes and issues in workshops. A report on the outcomes will be presented soon online. ]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/153/ 2010-04-26 13:57:47 The cityscape of Bucharest is dominated by huge, standardized public housing estates, built during the socialist era. The majority of such housing lies along major traffic axes and functions quasi, as 'concrete curtains', blocking the view of all that lies behind it. The traffic axes, full of heavy motorised and pedestrian traffic, function as urban boulevards. Space behind these buildings is generally little used and is rarely directly connected to their front side. If used at all, then without authorization as a parking lot and rubbish dump, or for small private gardens and a few children's playgrounds. The workshop analysed the different uses made of such space along the Mosilor Boulevard, identified possible new uses, and developed an overall concept for how connections between the 'concrete curtain' structure and the urban fabric behind it might be improved. The urban strategy that ensued identified potential for new developments with regard both to the concrete structure itself and to the area behind it. An activation strategy for the latter is under planning. Further documentation will be published soon. ]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/151/ 2010-04-01 13:55:48 Conference Hall, Municipality of Prishtina Thursday, 25 February 2010, Prishtina As part of the Debates on Tour series, the Municipality of Prishtina, the Netherlands Architecture Institute (NAI) and Archis Interventions organised a debate on participatory planning in Prishtina, which was introduced by the Deputy Mayor, Avdullah Hoti The NAI - represented by its director, Ole Bouman - had invited two experts on citizen participation in planning processes to give presentations: Marcel Musch from BVR Adviseurs Ruimtelijke Ontwikkelin and Wilma Ruis from De Beuk organisatieadvies. The Dutch experts then debated the issue with the general public and a panel composed of representatives of the Municipality of Prishtina, Florina Jerliu, Adviser to the Mayor of Prishtina and Luljeta çeku-Sokoli, Director Dept. UCE, Valdet Osmani, President of the Association of Architects of Kosovo and Senat Haliti, Archiedu Students' Network. Kai Vöckler of Archis Interventions/SEE chaired the debate. ]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/147/ 2010-03-21 13:52:25 Co-plan - Albania ''Urban regulatory plan for Kukës'' Feb 14th 2010, Tirana, Albania: The ongoing project ''Urban regulatory plan for Kukës'', which builds on Co-Plan's previous experience of designing urban regulatory plans, is based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between USAID and Kukës Municipality. The City Regulatory Plan will steer private investments in Kukës, and bring them in line with public investments. Kukës is situated in northeastern Albania, on the border with Kosovo. Until the early 1970s it was situated at a historical settlement. However, owing to construction of one of Albania's major hydropower plants, it was demolished and moved in 1976 a few km away from its original location to its present one. Construction of the Durrës-Kukës-Morinë highway has already improved links between Kukës and the central part of the country, and has laid the groundwork for a faster, better connection with Kosovo. The main objectives of the Urban Regulatory Plan are: 1. To equip the city with the instruments necessary to steer urban development 2. To encourage sustainable development of the city by promoting participatory planning processes. The Urban Regulatory Plan will include a zoning code and establish a GIS database. These will be submitted to the municipality as an aid to further territorial management. Press to Exit - Macedonia Feb 1st 2010, Skopje, Macedonia Press to Exit has just rounded off a series of collaborative exchange and research-based workshops with a final exhibition in Rome, ''If you don't have God, you'd better have a multiverse'', designed by 1:1projects (Rome) in partnership with the Kadist Art Foundation (Paris) and ''Press to Exit" project space (Skopje). The exhibition presents three itinerant workshops that took place in Rome (25-27 September), Skopje (30 October-1 November) and Paris (27-29 November), during which invited groups took part in open discussions on the issues of time and space and how the latter are perceived. Envisaged as a moment of encounter, each workshop included presentations by the participants; a guest lecture or intervention by an invited artist, scholar or scientist; and an event open to the general public. The exhibition in Rome in late January, 2010 was the last chapter of the project, at least for the moment. IPOP, Institute for Spatial Policies - Slovenia ''Celoveška, what will be'' February 2nd Ljubljana, Slovenia. A panel discussion named ''Celoveška, what will be'' was organized by IPOP (Institute for Spatial Policies), the local community, the city council of Staro Šiško, and a group of landscape architects named PAZ!PARK. The purpose of the panel was to highlight problems associated with the crossroads at Drenikovo Road/ Ruska Street, and ultimately to enhance public space there. The panel organizers presented some brief spatial analyses of Celoveške Road. In that respect, they offered interesting insights into the spatial regulation of pedestrian zones and their contribution to the new governmental spatial plan. Muzil - Croatia ''Full Support'' February 2nd 2010, Pula, Croatia Activists involved in the ''I love Pula-Initiative for Muzil'' gave their full and total support to activists from Zagreb, who blocked the street and organized the rally in protest against plans to turn a section of the pedestrian zone into a ramp for an underground garage, as part of the Cvjetni shopping centre and luxury flats development planned for the historic city centre of Zagreb. On the ''Muzil'' website activists stated, "It must be made clear to the political elite that - in spite of broad legislative and bureaucratic support for the general trend to privatization throughout the whole country - we will not allow the city and public space to be privatized. The city belongs only to the citizens - and only the citizens may legitimately decide about the future of the city.'' The rally protest is still going on. Right to the City - Croatia ''Activists Arrested'' February 11th 2010, Zagreb, Croatia. At 03.30 in the morning around 100 riot police arrested 23 activists from ''Green Action'' and the Right to the City initiative in Zagreb, Croatia. The raid took place just hours after 4000 people turned out in snowy conditions to protest against plans to turn a section of the pedestrian zone into a ramp for an underground garage, as part of the Cvjetni shopping centre and luxury flats development planned for the historic city centre of Zagreb. The operation aimed to remove the accommodation container, which the groups had put on Varsavska Street, a pedestrian zone, as a 24-hour info-point, in order to prevent work beginning on the ramp, which is still under legal dispute. Activists inside of the container and on the roof resisted removal peacefully by locking themselves together using arm tubes, and were arrested after the fire brigade cut the tubes. Around 50 more activists blocked roads to prevent the lorry carrying the container from leaving the site, but riot police removed them also. The activists have announced that protests will continue. Urban - Rural Recycling Design, Vladicin Han Exhibition ''Once and Never'' February 16th 2009, Vladicin Han, Serbia Urban activist from Vladicin Han, Ms. Suzana Stankovi?-Aleksi? has announced several activities that will hopefully re-shape the image of modern-day Vladicin Han. One of the current projects (2009-2010) is the reconstruction of the pedestrian zone in Zagubica, a small village situated in East Serbia. This will give Žagubica a chance to enhance tourism and promote its local sightseeing attractions. Suzana has also announced that the exhibition "Once and Never" will be entered in ''Arhienale V'', a competition organized by the Engineering Chambers of Serbia. In that respect, Ms. Stankovic-Aleksic has stated: "Without analysis of current values and situations in V.Han... in the field of XXI century urban-design planning, we can do little to address the preservation of cultural heritage. Politicians, planners, and architects from Serbia or from V.Han itself have disturbed cultural heritage... important cultural monuments of Serbia. Unfortunately, even in the XXI century, southern Serbia and V.Han display abundant stupidity and social conflicts regarding professionalism, which creates new barriers. How shall we be able to justify our actions in the eyes of the generations to come?'' ADAPTations1 - Bulgaria ''Looking for a funding'' February 17 th 2010, Sofia, Bulgaria ADAPTATIONS1 from Sofia is currently fundraising for their next project. The project will provide recommendations on improving the physical conditions of Roma communities in Bulgaria. At present the Roma people are suffering from long-term disinvestment in their communities' physical capacity to deliver basic health, welfare and economic growth opportunities. In the past, national and regional governments approached these communities with culturally inappropriate infrastructural and technical solutions. This led to the communities' ongoing marginalization and also fostered their mistrust of the motivations for and efficacy of interventions in public improvements. The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) alleges that large numbers of Roma in Bulgaria are segregated from non-Roma populations. Roma live in separate settlements, often walled off by physical barriers such as metal or concrete fences and almost completely removed from the mainstream of Bulgarian social and economic life. As the Government itself recognizes (for e.g. in "1999 Framework Programme for Equal Integration of Roma in Bulgarian Society") Romani neighborhoods are usually found on the outskirts of cities, town and villages, are not included in urban planning schemes, and therefore lack adequate infrastructure. Expeditio - Montenegro ''A presentation about Expeditio within the project ''Supernatural Eco Pavilion'', Belgrade'' February 16th Belgrade, Serbia The Belgrade-based organization "Supernatural Environmental Movement" (Supernatural ekološki pokret) invited a representative of Expeditio to present the work of the organization within the framework of a competition for the "supernatural eco pavilion". The presentation took place in the Cultural Centre "Grad", on 2nd February 2010, at 6.00 p.m. For more information about the organization "Supernatural", please see www.supernaturalfest.com Novi Put - Bosnia & Herzegovina ''A new website and a upcoming project'' Mon February 22nd 2010, Biha?, Bosina&Herzegovina The Biha?-based NGO ''Novi Put'' (New Way), an organisation working in the fields of Human Rights and Cultural Management in Una-Sana canton, Bosnia&Herzegovina, has announced that their new website is now online. All activities and news can now be found at www.novi-put.org. Novi Put is also organising for the third time the event ''Days of German and Austrian Culture in Biha?'', which will take place at schools in Biha?'s municipality. This project is endorsed and supported by the Goethe Institut BiH, Bauern helfen Bauern and the German Embassy in Bosnia&Herzegovina. The aim of this project is to reinforce cultural and educational connections between Bosnia on one side and Germany and Austria on the other. As the NGO ''Novi Put'' says, the main focus of the project is the integration of young people and children, who are the future (adult) citizens of the European Union. ]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/145/ 2009-12-15 13:49:07 Presented in 2008 by the Swiss Architecture Museum in Basel, the exhibition has now opened at Vienna's 'Architekturzentrum', and will run until mid-January. Initially comprised of projects and research from member initiatives of the Archis SEE network, the exhibition now includes new contributions from New-Belgrade, Sofia, Bucharest and Pula. A supplementary event from 20-22 November - the 17th Wiener Architektur Kongress - will also focus on urban development in South Eastern Europe. www.azw.at MAGIC BLOCKS Scenarios for socialist collective housing estates in Bucharest Exhibition: Muzeul ??ranului Român (09. - 26.11.2009) An Archis Interventions, Zeppelin and Point 4 initiative, launched in cooperation with ATU, Space Syntax Romania, StudioBASAR, Hackenbroich Architekten and Platforma 9,81 Presented previously in Berlin at AedesLand, the exhibition can now be seen in Bucharest, along with a documentary film about local interventions undertaken in cooperation with StudioBASAR. At a conference on 16 November, presentations by Kai Vöckler (Archis Interventions, Berlin), Michael Obrist (Feld 72, Vienna), Ivan Kucina (University of Architecture, Belgrade) and Justin Baroncea (Point 4, Bucharest) will put the spotlight on architects and planners' strategic interventions, and discuss them with the public. Moderator: Marko Sancanin (Platforma 9,81, Zagreb). e-zeppelin.ro/magic-blocks The project is financed by the Romanian Cultural Institute through the Cantemir Programme. Supported by ERSTE Stiftung. Union of Architects Romania, Austrian Cultural Forum Bucharest, and Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bucharest. We thank: Velux, Roca, Rockwool, Gealan, Resido, Fakro, Dulux. Media partner: Arhitectura, Arhitext, Igloo media, Bicau, Radio România Actualit??i, Radio Romania Cultural, Radio Bucure?ti, Money Express, 24Fun, RATB, Cotidianul. ]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/142/ 2009-12-07 13:43:03 Workshop: 5-8 October 2009 In cooperation with the Municipality of Prishtina with the support of Hackenbroich Architekten Archis Interventions/Prishtina, together with Archis Interventions/Berlin organized a workshop in Prishtina, with the aim of developing a strategic concept that would enable educational and training institutions to play a more active role in the city's future urban development. Prishtina's future prospects and how planning might best support them were discussed with representatives of the Urban Planning Department, the Municipality of Prishtina, and local and international experts, as part of the upcoming process of legalizing structures built without planning permission. It is necessary to offer future prospects to citizens by developing a realistic strategy that takes the current situation into account but also establishes the principles of viable future development. This is strategic planning based both on a vision and on reliable information, and can therefore offer a solid foundation for consensus and negotiations. The workshop developed a key concept by analyzing Prishtina's potential as the capital of Kosovo, and identified knowledge and education as the key factors for future development. The workshop focused on the latter's spatial implications and formulated the major principles of future urban development. The final result will be presented to the public at the end of the year. Supported by ERSTE Foundation, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Municipality of Prishtina, Kosovo Foundation for Open Society ]]> http://www.seenetwork.org/activities/70/ 2009-10-08 00:12:41 Exhibition and Publication, Scenarios for socialist collective housing estates in Bucharest An Archis Interventions, Zeppelin and Point 4 initiative, launched in cooperation with ATU, Space Syntax Romania, Hackenbroich Architekten and Platforma 9,81. Exhibition: AedesLand, Savignyplatz, Else-Ury-Bogen 600-601, 10623 Berlin Duration: 8th Sept.–29th Oct. 2009 A Romanian/English publication will accompany the exhibition: Stefan Ghenciulescu, Constantin Goagea, Kai Vöckler (eds.), Magic Blocks. Scenarios for socialist collective housing estates in Bucharest. Bucharest: Zeppelin Association 2009. ISBN: 978-973-0-06942-6 Photos by Dragoş Lumpan. The cityscape of Bucharest is dominated by huge, standardized public housing estates built during the socialist era, mainly in the 1970 and 1980s – in which circa 70 per cent of the city's population still live. These 'concrete curtains' flank established major traffic axes, blocking the view of the parts of Bucharest that lie behind them. Alongside them stand more recently built estates, with a total of as many as 400,000 inhabitants. Following the collapse of state socialism and the introduction of a market economy, most public housing was privatized. Sitting tenants were able to acquire their apartment for a minimal sum. Market factors have since come into play: an apartment's value falls or rises according to its location, amenities and local infrastructure; some apartments are of interest to investors; others are suffering from neglect. Neither officials in the City Housing Department nor individual owners (most of whom are owner-occupiers), are equipped to cope with the new situation – and it is here that the »MAGIC BLOCKS« initiative seeks to make an impact. Launched by Archis Interventions in cooperation with local and international architecture offices and projects, »MAGIC BLOCKS« will present scenarios for the future development and use of housing estates and thereby stimulate public discussion of housing and other social issues in Bucharest. The exhibition illustrates this concept in the light of supplementary information on overall urban development in Bucharest. »Magic Blocks« opens up a new area of debate in architecture: it addresses the, until now, largely unexplored drawbacks of the privatization of public housing in former eastern bloc countries and asks, what alternatives are available. more info: e-zeppelin.ro Zeppelin – Stefan Ghenciulescu, Constantin Goagea, Cosmina Goagea Point 4 – Justin Baroncea, Carmen Popescu, Jean Craiu Archis Interventions – Kai Vöckler with Space Syntax Romania – Esenghiul Abdul, Christian Beros ATU – Vera Marin Platforma 9,81 – Marko Sancanin Hackenbroich Architekten – Wilfried Hackenbroich The project is financed by the Romanian Cultural Institute through the Cantemir Programme. The project »Archis Interventions« is supported by ERSTE Stiftung. We thank: Union of Architects Romania, Austrian Cultural Forum Bucharest, and Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bucharest ]]>