Building foundations for Strategic Spatial Planning Amigosd’Avenida an informal civic organization discussing the future of the city of Aveiro José Carlos Mota ( [email_address] ) University of Aveiro, Portugal

context Importance of culture and creative activity in Aveiro city/region; Work that is being made by University/Municipalities of the region concerning definition strategic framework to European funds; Institutional inertia (Agents/Municipality, specially Aveiro); Group of people (planners, architects, musicians, artists, researches, teachers,…) who want to “change the world”

Importance of culture and creative activity in Aveiro city/region;

Work that is being made by University/Municipalities of the region concerning definition strategic framework to European funds;

Institutional inertia (Agents/Municipality, specially Aveiro);

Group of people (planners, architects, musicians, artists, researches, teachers,…) who want to “change the world”

amigosd’avenida – the origins? Because it is an informal civic organization, we don’t really know when it began… Probably in the > Creative Cities Youth Contest (2007/08) > Public discussion “Culture policies in Aveiro” (ABR08) > Public discussion “The future of Aveiro’s Central Avenue” (NOV09) Definitely Blogue http:// amigosdavenida.blogs.sapo.pt /

Because it is an informal civic organization, we don’t really know when it began…

Probably in the

> Creative Cities Youth Contest (2007/08)

> Public discussion “Culture policies in Aveiro” (ABR08)

> Public discussion “The future of Aveiro’s Central Avenue” (NOV09)

Definitely

Blogue http:// amigosdavenida.blogs.sapo.pt /

blogues Blogues are promoting the debate about the future of the cities , Público , NOV08 Several blogues in the main Portuguese cities (some of them were created in a planning context -> public debate of a plan or important project) “ A blogue genuine produced by a citizen or a group of citizens without “political” interests is an excellent form of civic participation" Canavilhas, J. (2008) New tool for civic participation and political debate To have a voice in their communities, but depending on amplification in local newspapers; Their activity will have impact in next local elections;

Blogues are promoting the debate about the future of the cities , Público , NOV08

Several blogues in the main Portuguese cities (some of them were created in a planning context -> public debate of a plan or important project)

“ A blogue genuine produced by a citizen or a group of citizens without “political” interests is an excellent form of civic participation" Canavilhas, J. (2008)

New tool for civic participation and political debate

To have a voice in their communities, but depending on amplification in local newspapers;

Their activity will have impact in next local elections;

amigosd’avenida (the blogue) Began in NOV08 (six months ago) after the Seminar “Future of Aveiro’s Central Avenue”; “ avenue friends” – because … it was a group of people (friends) who lives in Aveiro, and who enjoys discussing the future of the city -> want to do something for it

Began in NOV08 (six months ago) after the Seminar “Future of Aveiro’s Central Avenue”;

“ avenue friends” – because … it was a group of people (friends) who lives in Aveiro, and who enjoys discussing the future of the city -> want to do something for it

collective blogue Open to new contributions/opinions; Participate in a network of blogues -> discussion the city future (Aveiro and other Portuguese cities); Constructive attitude; Bring knowledge to the discussion – good practice (national and international) Do things differently

Open to new contributions/opinions;

Participate in a network of blogues -> discussion the city future (Aveiro and other Portuguese cities);

Constructive attitude;

Bring knowledge to the discussion – good practice (national and international)

Do things differently

Blogue -> mailing list -> working group In six months 12 Editors Blogue (12.500 visits) Mailing-list 140 members Working-group 20 members (different from the editors)

In six months

12 Editors

Blogue (12.500 visits)

Mailing-list 140 members

Working-group 20 members (different from the editors)

Discussion about Aveiro’s Central Avenue Central avenue is very important in the history of the city (links the centre to the rail station), but is loosing commercial importance Few people live there Avenue has mobility problems – 10.000 cars/day, parking,… Emergent economic activities (arts and culture) in the surroundings; The discussion its not only about the avenue but about of the city New activities - culture and creativity – could suggest a different approach -> “Cultural Quarter” Not a engineering problem -> we don’t need a project, but a strategy Lets discuss -> learn with others

Central avenue is very important in the history of the city (links the centre to the rail station), but is loosing commercial importance

Few people live there

Avenue has mobility problems – 10.000 cars/day, parking,…

Emergent economic activities (arts and culture) in the surroundings;

The discussion its not only about the avenue but about of the city

New activities - culture and creativity – could suggest a different approach -> “Cultural Quarter”

Not a engineering problem -> we don’t need a project, but a strategy

Lets discuss -> learn with others

Discussion about Aveiro’s 250 years celebration Very modest celebration programme … but local politicians said that “the celebration could be an excellent opportunity to celebrate the history and identity of the city”… “put the city in the regional and national context” … “culture has a key element of city development” So we suggested…

Very modest celebration programme … but local politicians said that “the celebration could be an excellent opportunity to celebrate the history and identity of the city”… “put the city in the regional and national context” … “culture has a key element of city development”

So we suggested…

good practice Look Vilnius - European Capital of Culture 2009: Use the event to create a opportunity to involve population “thorough music, arts and other forms of expression". Instead of a programme based on big events -> invest the in the participation of local people and in the city enjoyment", through motivating creativity of the residents and tourists in the interaction with the cit; Activities should be developed outside the traditional places (Museums and Cultures Centres). The idea is to take art to the street and to transform the face of the city through “installations, videos, performances, urban art, music, theatre, that will be developed in unexpected places". The citizens of Vilnius where invited to develop artistic projects in their streets, alleys, gardens, neighbourhoods, during 2009; the most creative projects will be rewarded”

Look Vilnius - European Capital of Culture 2009:

Use the event to create a opportunity to involve population “thorough music, arts and other forms of expression".

Instead of a programme based on big events -> invest the in the participation of local people and in the city enjoyment", through motivating creativity of the residents and tourists in the interaction with the cit;

Activities should be developed outside the traditional places (Museums and Cultures Centres). The idea is to take art to the street and to transform the face of the city through “installations, videos, performances, urban art, music, theatre, that will be developed in unexpected places".

The citizens of Vilnius where invited to develop artistic projects in their streets, alleys, gardens, neighbourhoods, during 2009; the most creative projects will be rewarded”

We challenge the municipality The previous ideas could inspired Aveiro celebrations -> develop a different approach -> in the present model where citizens have a passive role Challenge: Mobilize creative communities (young, culture agents, technology enterprises,…) Results of the involvement could help the city to be a stronger cultural reference (Creativity and Innovation European Year 2009) Stimulate new cultural habits in the residents, and a different relation with the city Develop intervention -> public spaces

The previous ideas could inspired Aveiro celebrations -> develop a different approach -> in the present model where citizens have a passive role

Challenge:

Mobilize creative communities (young, culture agents, technology enterprises,…)

Results of the involvement could help the city to be a stronger cultural reference (Creativity and Innovation European Year 2009)

Stimulate new cultural habits in the residents, and a different relation with the city

Develop intervention -> public spaces

We challenge the cultural agents Organized meeting Presented idea Ask for support Created a small working group (5 persons –> now we are 22!) Organized a document Shared it with everybody (internet, email, local newspapers,…) Received commentaries, suggestions Defined 2/3 major projects

Organized meeting

Presented idea

Ask for support

Created a small working group (5 persons –> now we are 22!)

Organized a document

Shared it with everybody (internet, email, local newspapers,…)

Received commentaries, suggestions

Defined 2/3 major projects

1st idea – old photos Photos with history -> live catalog of old photos of Aveiro (stories,…) Helped to organize a project (Aveiro Digital Archive of Photography) presented to financial support We put City Museum, Municipality and University talking to each other University has a Research Centre in this field

Photos with history -> live catalog of old photos of Aveiro (stories,…)

Helped to organize a project (Aveiro Digital Archive of Photography) presented to financial support

We put City Museum, Municipality and University talking to each other

University has a Research Centre in this field

a short-film about the Central Avenue

2nd idea – bring culture to the street (learning with Vilnius) Organize a cultural programme for a public square in the centre of the city, all Saturdays afternoon (from Spring to the end of Summer) -> the idea was to take art to the square and to transform it through “installations, videos, performances, urban art, music, theatre". Use the event to create a opportunity to involve population “thorough music, arts and other forms of expression". Invite local culture agents to participate in the activities Develop a small projects in this square

(learning with Vilnius)

Organize a cultural programme for a public square in the centre of the city, all Saturdays afternoon (from Spring to the end of Summer) -> the idea was to take art to the square and to transform it through “installations, videos, performances, urban art, music, theatre".

Use the event to create a opportunity to involve population “thorough music, arts and other forms of expression".

Invite local culture agents to participate in the activities

Develop a small projects in this square

civic/colaborative urban project Amigosd’Avenida, Aveiro http:// amigosdavenida.blogs.sapo.pt /

21/27MAR art in the street Oficina de Música de Aveiro CETA Amigosd’Avenida, Aveiro http:// amigosdavenida.blogs.sapo.pt /

16MAI, Praça A Barrica Galerias José Sacramento Renata Gomes e Marcus Medeiros Amigosd’Avenida, Aveiro http:// amigosdavenida.blogs.sapo.pt /

3rd idea – as institutional platform for Culture and Creativity Mapping culture and creative activity in Aveiro What can the platform do for us? What can we do for it? Learning from others Organize different institutions – common project -> national/European founds

Mapping culture and creative activity in Aveiro

What can the platform do for us? What can we do for it?

Learning from others

Organize different institutions – common project -> national/European founds

4th idea – art, culture and creativity in Aveiro Amigosd’Avenida, Aveiro http:// amigosdavenida.blogs.sapo.pt /

Last idea – Manifesto for a culture policy for public space Build a manifesto With the involvement of several actors Be presented to community and municipality Be part of the programmes of different parties -> local elections 100 subscribers

Build a manifesto

With the involvement of several actors

Be presented to community and municipality

Be part of the programmes of different parties -> local elections

100 subscribers

MANIFESTO for the ‘Public Space’ Bring people to the streets Promote a bond with the public space Stimulate social interaction Promote a diversified, artistic and cultural activities in the public space Create an experimentation environment Value the memory of the city Build a sense of social responsibility of ‘entertainment and artistic activities’ in the public space Use public space as a vehicle of ‘communication’ and promotion of artistic, cultural and scientific activities Guarantee an inclusive public space with adequate urban equipment Assure a bond between a network of public spaces

MANIFESTO for the ‘Public Space’

Bring people to the streets

Promote a bond with the public space

Stimulate social interaction

Promote a diversified, artistic and cultural activities in the public space

Create an experimentation environment

Value the memory of the city

Build a sense of social responsibility of ‘entertainment and artistic activities’ in the public space

Use public space as a vehicle of ‘communication’ and promotion of artistic, cultural and scientific activities

Guarantee an inclusive public space with adequate urban equipment

Assure a bond between a network of public spaces

Conclusions Civic potential unexplored resource virtual and physical network (new ‘arena’) Civic Engagement public responsibility the gap between theory/practice the planner (and the university) responsibility The opportunity (plan, project, event) how to qualify the debate building of collective agenda (arts, culture & place) institutional debate (plataform’s)

Civic potential

unexplored resource

virtual and physical network (new ‘arena’)

Civic Engagement

public responsibility

the gap between theory/practice

the planner (and the university) responsibility

The opportunity (plan, project, event)

how to qualify the debate

building of collective agenda (arts, culture & place)

institutional debate (plataform’s)

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC SPACE INSTITUCIONAL MODELS CULTURAL POLICY/ STRATEGY PUBLIC SPACE PROJECTS IMATERIAL ACTIONS CULTURAL ACTIVITY NETWORK CULTURAL PUBLIC SPACES MANIFESTO “CULTURE IN PUBLIC SPACE” CULTURE AND CRIATIVITY PLATAFORM ACTION -> PROJECTS (2010) EX: PLANOB – PORTO MIGUEL BOMBARDA BAIRRO ALTO … DUBLIN – TEMPLE BAR (cultural quarter) TB (cultural trust) VIENA – QUARTIER 21 FOUNDING conclusion