CATALOG OF URBAN INITIATIVES IN SKOPJE
Urban Cooks Pla orms: Bo om-up urban planning is a project funded by Educa on, Audiovisual and Culture Execu ve Agency (EACEA) under Culture Programme 2007-2013, Strand 1.2.1.- 2013 “Coopera on Measures”
'This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publica on reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the informa on contained therein'
URBAN COOKS PLATFORM Ci zens ini a ves in the public space (like urban gardens, cultural spaces, etc.) are arising in the contemporary ci es. Objec ves of the project is to understand the framework around ci zen ini a ves in Madrid, Belgrade and Skopje, (both common and par cular issues, problems, necessi es, etc.), to learn how does exis ng programs in other ci es work, taking a cri cal look of them, and to deďŹ ne a program, having in mind par cular frameworks of each ci es. Final goal is to design a protocol, methodology or pla orm for suppor ng ci zen ini a ves, not only in Madrid, Belgrade and Skopje, but rather an exportable
CITY MADE BY CITIZENS European ci es had many empty spaces, abandoned or neglected, that could be bring back to life by ci zens' ini a ves through community management. In some cases, this ini a ves have been an innova ve example of how public space could be managed and created. However, in many ci es these ci zen ini a ves face diverse barriers that make diďŹƒcult to develop and manage a project in the public space. The main iden ďŹ ed problems are legal ones, security issues and lack of resources, which some mes are due to ci zens lack of technical knowledge and some others due to the obsolete or nonexistent communica on channels between ci zens and the en es (private or public) that own the resources. For this reason, it o en happens that the access to basic resources for the development of a ci zens ini a ve such as the access to water and electricity and the availability of necessary materials or the access to the legaliza on process are temporary solved by momentary, or even illegal, arrangements. In order to solve these problems, it is necessary to understand how this ci zen par cipa on channels are currently managed in each country. Being able to iden fy why they do not work properly are key to propose and implement new ways of management, based on successful examples. Urban Cooks Pla orm is a project that seeks to integrate the knowledge and the experience of professionals from various European countries. These professionals, together with ci zen ini a ves and the rest of the partners will design a common and exportable model to create a local ac on pla orm. The Urban Cooks Pla orm will support ci zens ini a ves, that manage and create urban space, by media ng between their needs and the public administra on and en es that own the resources.
URBAN COOKS IN SKOPJE Activity
Timeperiod (Deadline)
Result / Document
Status
Comments
INITIAL ACTIVITIES & RESEARCH 1.1. Creating an open network of professionals and institutions interested in promoting and supporting citizens’ initiatives that will participate in the UC project.
01.01 – 01.02.2014 (15.02.2014)
1.2. Protocols and templates for management and documenting of UC
01.01 – 01.02.2014 (15.02.2014)
Contacts with Municipality of Centar, Municipality of Chair, City of Skopje. Contacts with Arhitektri-architectural collective. Contact with Ivana Dragshikj-civic activist. Protocols for management Templates for documenting
Realized
Letters with info about UC and request for cooperation has been sent.
Realized
COMMUNICATION
2. Bilateral meetings with each partner to coordinate and preparation the work
15.01 – 15.02.2014 (01.03.2014)
3. Meeting coordination and drafting minutes with the issues and agreements reached
15.01 – 15.02.2014 (01.03.2014)
4.1. INSTITUTIONS Gathering of information and data from Institutions of past and present citizens initiatives from project participants
15.02.- 01.03.2014 (15.03.2014)
4.2. ACTIVISTS Gathering of information and data from NGO’s
15.02.- 01.03.2014 (15.03.2014)
4.3. EXPERTS Gathering of information and data from experts and citizens collectives
15.02.- 01.03.2014 (15.03.2014)
Meeting with Arhitektri (17.01.2014) Meeting with civic activists (24.01.2014) Meeting in Municipality of Chair (29.01.2014) Meeting in Municipality of Center (13.02.2014) Meeting in City of Skopje (12.02.2014)
Realized
Draft minutes of the meetings?
Realized
Data from Institutions: Data from Chair Data from Centar List of NGO’s from City of Skopje
Realized
Contact person in Chair: Dzavit Gashi (075 426 660) Contact person in Centar: Natasha Todorovska (075 451673) Contact person in Skopje Saso Mitrov (071 248 636) Contact person in Arhitektri Ana Boranieva (070 276 785) Contact with Civic activist: Ivana Dragsikj (?)
Expected by e-mail next week (17 – 21.02.2014)
Data from NGOS’s Realized Info from Ivana
Meeting next week (17 – 21.02.2014) ﮭ و-16.03.2014)
Data from civic collectives Realized Info from Arhitektri Info from other sources (?)
Meeting next week (17 – 21.02.2014)
URBAN COOKS IN SKOPJE 4.4. CITIZENS Gathering of information and data from Informal citizens’ groups
5. UC Skopje Social media
15.02.- 01.03.2014 (15.03.2014)
01-25.02.2014 (01.03.2014)
Contact with citizens.
Realized
Several contacts with citizens and citizens initiatives groups
Twitter account has been established Facebook account of UC in Skopje ? Web page of UC-Skopje?
Realized
Coordination with Madrid and Comandante Tom
ASSISTANCE
6. Mapping of citizens initiatives
15 – 28.02.2014 (01.03.2014)
Organization of the gathered information’s, documents and data (status) about the initiatives
Realized
7. Concept of Catalogue of Initiatives
15 – 28.02.2014 (15.03.2014)
Design concept and templates for Catalogue with maps, sites, images of the sites and designs of the initiatives in public or common space
Realized
Concept and design development in cooperation with Arhitektri
8. Design Catalogue of Initiatives
01 – 30.03.2014 (15.04.2014)
Catalogue with maps, sites, images of the sites and designs of the initiatives in public or common space
Finalized
Design and production
9. Publication of Catalogue of Initiatives (Print)
01 – 15.04.2014 (20.04.2014)
Printing Catalogue of Initiatives in Skopje
Forthcoming
10. Preparation of presentation of the Catalogue
10 – 20.04.2014 (20.04.2014)
Presentation of the Catalogue of Initiatives
Realized
Feeding the UC Social media and communication
25.05.2014
Web page upload of the Catalogue Photos from the meetings Draft reports of the UC Skopje activities
TBD
TBD
Catalog format accepted
Twitter account active Facebook profile active Web page feed
PROMOTION
11. Presentation of UC-Skopje at Belgrade MIXER Festival
05.06.2014
Mixer festival in Belgrade Urban Cooks meeting in Belgrade
SKOPJE MAP
MAP OF URBAN INITIATIVES Trash Coopera va
Green park in Chair Pets trash Liquid history City Acupuncture Skopje Grows Share food Trash Coopera va Bicycle parking Neigborhood library Street art / graďŹƒ Shelters for homeless
Urban voids Tac le pathways
MUNICIPALITIES IN SKOPJE SKOPJE MAP Trash Coopera va
Green park in Chair Pets trash Liquid history City Acupuncture Skopje Grows Share food Trash Coopera va Bicycle parking Neigborhood library Street art / graďŹƒ Shelters for homeless
Urban voids Tac le pathways
Initiator
Site
Target group
Date
TACTILE PATHWAY
Na onal Council of organiza ons of people with handicape in Macedonia
Center of Skopje
Visually impaired persons
May 2008
is an initiative to adapt the streets and sidewalks in the center of the city with urban elements for assistance of visually impaired citizens
Dimitrija Chupovski street
Loca on
Tac le pathway
Descrip on
Reactor & Arhitektri studio
Debar Maalo and Bunjakovec Quarter , Skopje
Skopje citizens (Debar Maalo and Bunjakovec Quarter)
May 2012
Initiator
Site
Target group
Date
SKOPJE GROWS
Initiative for reanimation of the public spaces, children's playground and green spaces in Skopje
Descrip on Skopje Grows
The idea for such ini a ve comes from the acknowledgment that larger part of the public green areas in the ci es in Macedonia are an easy target for the densifica on wave of the urban mass especially in the centers. The pla orm www.skopjeraste.mk pla orm explains in a simple and transparent visual language the process of invasion of the free areas through chronological and programma c dissec on. The lack of areas of this type in Skopje is a contemporary problem which we think, should be dealt with a broad civil ini a ve in an informal way. This approach is common and is widely used to a good effect in transforming the public spaces in the past 20 years outside the reach of the mechanisms of the urban planning system. The ini a ve will offer a frame in which this model of coopera on and realiza on can be replicated in other similar situa ons and will benefit in the communica on between the authori es and the ci zens who use the public space.
Trash Coopera va
Various sites in Skopje
The local community (young mothers, gardeners, re red persons, unemployed, ar sans and ar sts,
April 2014
Initiator
Site
Target group
Date
TRASH COOPERATIVA
is envisioned as a multyfunctional cooperative public space fully designed and built of discarded objects and materials.
Madjar neighborhood
Loca on
Descrip on Trash Coopera va
Trash Coopera va is envisioned as a mul func onal coopera ve public space fully designed and built of discarded objects and materials. The building is intended for the local community with the purpose to provide a public space for hanging out, group cooking and preparing of pickle, organizing events, local celebra ons, markets etc. The key element of the project is a communal kitchen, built from a 20' intermodal container. To create the entrance of the kitchen one side is cut open and serves as main the access point. Using wooden pallets, the kitchen elements are created (plas c crates are used as drawers and barrels as washing u lity) and the bar. All the exterior furniture is also created using wooden pallets and metal bars or metalux elements. To create the cover around the kitchen, we have used patches of PVC adver sing banners (fullmesh and mesh in order to give a more dynamic shade) ed with ropes in a matrix that creates modules for adjustment of the shape and size of the cover. To secure the cover we have used metallic poles and bases created from car res and cement. All the parts can be assembled/ dissembled in order to use a li le space possible when not in use. Its parts can also be rearanged so to serve dierent purposes. Trash Coopera va is a bo om-up project, that can be self sustained by the sale of products and objects, and even provide a small retribu on for the persons in charge of its maintenance.
Initiator
Site
GRADGRAD
is an initiative to add a new “invisible and liquid� layer of history in the pavement and at the streets of the neigborhood
Debar maalo neighborhood
The local community and residents of the neigborhood
Target group
Date June 2010
LIQUID HISTORY
Orce Nikolov street
Loca on
Public room
Debar maalo neigborhood
Ci zens of Municipality of Centar
May 2012 (completed 2013)
Initiator
Site
Target group
Date
URBAN ACUPUNCTURE
implementing individual solutions to improve urban life and solve a problem faced by residents
Various sites in Debar maalo
Loca on
FOOTPRINTS
Descrip on Urban acupuncture
City Acupuncture is a 24 month project is organized in coopera on with 5 associa ons from 4 dierent countries of Southeast Europe, in order to improve the quality of urban life through interna onal cultural exchange. With this project, the City Acupuncture is the founda on for regional co-opera on, with the role of culture as an important element in strengthening regional coopera on and development. The project involved interdisciplinary and interna onal experts and types of students tasked to explore (on site) regional iden ty, urban planning and culture of a se lement in a par cular city.
SIDEWALK
Initiator
Site
Target group
Date
BICYCLE PARKING
Arhitektri studio
Debar maalo neigborhood
Cyclists
August 2013
Initiative objective is to increase the awareness and stimulate the bicycle trafďŹ c
Mihail Cokov st.
Loca on
Descrip on Bicycle parking
The idea is to set the bicycle frame / bicycle parking at mul ple loca ons in Skopje, and on every 100 parking spots for motor vehicles to mark at least one of those parking spots as bicycle parking. One parking spot for a car (2.5m/5m) accommodates 13 bicycle parking spots.
Initiator
Site
Target group
Date
STREET ART
Drash Machka
Skopje City Center
Skopje ci zens
April 2014
Using the empty blind building walls as a surface for urban art, and creating new attractive public spaces
11 Oktomvri str.
Loca on
Descrip on Street art
The blind wall is part of the city structure, through which the street art mural can upgrade the cityscape.
Initiator
Site
Target group
Date
SHARE FOOD AND BOOKS
Anonymous
Skopje
Skopje ci zens
April 2014 (realised)
initiative for anonymous share of food and books in the neighborhoods
May 2014 URBAN COOKS IN SKOPJE: Goran Janev Ognen Marina Ana Boranieva Risto Avramovski Iva Dimovska