Summer picnics
In summer of 2017, the Liberty Bridge, previously for cars and tram was closed to vehicles due to roadworks. In the same summer, the residents of Budapest gathered on the bridge participating in a communal picnic with
Enthusiastic young residents1 Campaign to repeat initiative Vice-Mayor participation
LO C AT I O N LIBERT Y BRIDGE
BUDAPEST
HUNGARY
Map by author. 2019
EVENT
Xpatloop, 2019 https://www.xpatloop.com/channels/2019/05/liberty-bridge-closed-for-picnic.html
Intimidating roads for pedestrians
TO CREATE A MEMORABLE DAY FOR RESIDENTS
ENHANCE SENSE OF BELONGING REALISE NEGATIVES OF CAR DEPENDENCY
S WO T
CREATE RECURRING EVENT TO EMPHASISE IMPORTANCE OF GATHERING AS A COMMUNITY GENERATE REVENUE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES + ARTISTS POSITIVE MEDIA IMAGE FOR SUNSHINE
Food is an integral part of diverse communities such as New York City’s gastronomic diversity combining foods of several countries and cultures which are an opportunity mingle cultures together and provide a unique experience4. Food is known for the generations to be the glue that connects families and communities.
BRING COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN THEIR OWN SPACE
INCREASE TRAFFIC INTO SUNSHINE
WEAKNESSES
HESITANCY TO PARTICIPATE
MAY CREATE HAVOC AND CHAOS WITHOUT PROPER MANAGEMENT REQUIRES CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITY SERVICES
site of implementation
I M P L E M E N TAT I O N I N S U N S H I N E HA
M
H PS
IR
E
RD
SUNSHINE
P O T E N T I A L E V E N T L AYO U T
Success of the program can be consecutive seen in years as shown in figures of articles above presenting positive media attention towards the closure of road for pedestrian-only use in summer as residents, especially the youth enjoy the new hangout2.
3
1. “Budapest’s Liberty Bridge to open as pedestrian-only space during summer weekends,” About Hungary, May 11, 2017, http://abouthungary.hu/news-in-brief/budapests-libe ty-bridge-to-open-as-pedestrian-only-space-during-summer-weekends/ 2. “Budapest’s Liberty Bridge will close for more summertime picnics” We Love Budapest, published June 2017, https://welovebudapest.com/en/2017/06/02/budapests-liberty-bridge-will-close-for-more-summertime-picnics/ 3. SV2, 2019 4. Dr. Caitlin De Brigny Wall, Majdi Faleh, “(Re)Creating Lively Cities Through Ambient Technologies: Arts, Culture, and Gastronomic Experiences,” Academia, accessed May 2019, 5, https://www.academia.edu/26881789/_Re_Creating_Lively_Cities_through_Ambient_Technologies_Arts_Culture_and_Gastronomic_Experiences
“Budapest’s Liberty Bridge will close for more summertime picnics” We Love Budapest, published June 2017, https://welovebudapest.com/en/2017/06/02/budapests-liberty-bridge-will-close-for-more-summertime-picnics/
Limited council initiative for residents
THREATS
BENEFITS
About Hungary, 2017, http://abouthungary.hu/news-in-brief/budapests-liberty-bridge-toopen-as-pedestrian-only-space-during-summer-weekends/
People joined in to bicycle along the bridge which was previously unaccesible to pedestrians.
Heavy car dependancy 3
RECLAIM PEDESTRIAN PUBLIC SPACE
INACCEPTANCE OF CAR DEPENDENT COMMUNITY
P O S I T I V E M E D I A AT T E N T I O N
FOOD PERFORMANCE ART
“Photo Essay: A Spontaneous Picnic on Budapest’s Liberty Bridge,” We Love Budapest, published June 2016, https://welovebudapest.com/en/2016/06/22/photo-essay-a-spontaneous-picnic-on-budapests-liberty-bridge/\
COOPERATION OF COUNCIL IN CLOSURE OF ROADS
INTERFERENCE WITH TRAVEL TO WORK
Budapest Business Journal, 2018 https://bbj.hu/budapest/pedestrians-to-take-overliberty-bridge-for-summer-weekends_149677
“Liberty Bridge, Budapest,” Trending Cities, accessed May 2019, http://www.trendingcity.org/#/liberty-bridge-budapest/\
Low community involement
OPPORTUNTY
SHRUTI DALVI 993220
6 .Charles, Landry. “Rediscovering urban creativity: Why are some cities successful?” The creative city: a toolkit for urban innovators (2000): 11
ISSUES
LIMITED ACCESS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES
CASE STUDY: LIBERTY BRIDGE, BUDAPEST
5. James, Shanahan. "The Arts and Urban Development." Ekistics48, no. 288 (1981): 234-38.
SUNSHINE:
STRENGTHS
ACTIVATING HAMPSHIRE RD
SUCCESS
FEASIBILIT Y
Perofmrance and art combined are ways to generate recognition and display the plethera of local artists, espeically diverse musicians or dancers from the heavy diversity in Sunshine. “The arts can provide the ethnic and cultural glue for neighbourhood identity and cohesion an intagible element of neighbourhood revitalisation”⁵.
Performances, multi-cultural food, picnics and art can surge cultural invovelvement by the community and “strengthen social cohesion, increase personal confidence and improve life skills, improve people’s mental and physical well-being, strengthen people’s ability to act as democratic citizens and develop new training and employment routes” 6.
GREEN SPACE Increase aesthetic Encourage sport + healthy activity
CITY COUNCIL Show council involvement Show care taken towards residents
HAMSHIRE ROAD Pedestrian-only for event Main set for gathering Place of performances and art
EXISTING CARPARK Used for food Potential restroom/bathroom facilities
Google Maps, 2019