Humanization of Vilnius city Case study Complex renewal project of the neighborhood „Žirmūnai triangle“ ( 2013-2021)
INTRODUCTION & STORY ŽIRMŪNAI TRIANGLE IN 2013: Built more than 60 years ago, lack of identity and character; Aging neighborhood; Worn out infrastructure; Lack of clear urban/traffic structure; Lack of parking – 53% of required; Low quality of greeneries; Safety problems; Worn out play grounds, furniture.
STARTING POINT - PROJECT „RE-BLOCK“ REVIVING HIGH-RISE BLOCKS FOR COHESIVE AND GREEN NEIGHBORHOODS
Project „Re-Block“ - financed by URBACT II program in 2013-2015 Objective - to foster efficient regeneration of neighborhoods, making more attractive and improving their environmental quality, whilst creating an integrated tailor-made approach to combat poverty Žirmūnai triangle – selected pilot area Best practise sharing among 10 partners, lead partner - 18th district of Budapest;
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - CREATIVE WORKSHOP METHODS USED
Vision developed by urban local group – 28 voluntarily working members: Residents, representatives of local businesses, teachers and students; NGO’S, municipality representatives, City Council members, universities; 3 scenarios developed based on results of urban analysis and highest priorities of thematic groups
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FROM URBAN VISION TO CREATION OF ACTION PLAN (2013-2015) VISION DEVELOPED FOR COMPREHENSIVE REVITALIZATION OF INFRASTUCTURE
PUBLIC SPACES
PEDESTRIAN PATHS PARKING
NEIGHBOURHOODS
TRANSPORT, CYCLING,
FROM ACTION PLAN TO THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION (2015-2021) Project was aimed at increasing attractiveness of Žirmūnai Triangle and revitalization of urban infrastructure as well as open public spaces to be financed by ERDF; Total budget - 5.101.942 EUR: EU - 4.336.651 EUR, Municipal - 382.646 EUR, State - 382.646 EUR. Planning and design stage – 2016-2018 Construction – 2019-2021
MUNICIPAL NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM OPENED IN 2017 A few blocks of flats can join efforts and apply to Neighborhood Program for financial support (up to 10EUR/sq.m of unbuilt area); Large housing estates (built before 1993) divided into small neighborhoods with common facilities, courtyards, entrances; Support for renovation of outdoor space, infrastructure, greenery is to be assigned according determined criteria: Building/s owners should buy or rent land plot/s of neighborhood for not less than 10 years, All buildings’ owners have to sign join venture agreement and appoint person/company responsible for implementation and take common decision on implementation.
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RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Project „Zirmunai triangle“ has achieved the goal which is very relevant today - the influence of COVID 19 and negative emotions are minimized in a built environment by applying behavior change. Satisfaction with the living environment, positive emotions, leisure time and sport facilities in your courtyard
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Humanization of Vilnius city Case study Green islands and Green wave
INTRODUCTION The main task for the city urban policy is to satisfy citizens’ needs for best quality of life and prevent negative consequences of climate change and pandemic situation with consequences on life habits Way forward - connect green city net by streets and transport corridors enriched with greeneries for better biodiversity and meeting pedestrian and cycling standards.
GREEN ISLANDS During COVID19 lock down in 2020 Vilnius municipality has initiated plan – to construct 100 small squares of up to 100 sq. meters size in the densely populated living districts The main goal – to bring every citizen a public or green space of sufficient quality and valuable biodiversity within 300 m. or 10 min walking distance More active local involvement is planned – inviting residents to compliment those islands with plants by themselves and to encourage locals to adopt this micro infrastructurehttps://maps.vilnius.lt/laisvalaikis#layers Every user can find a layer with extended information about the Green islands at https://maps.vilnius.lt/zaliasis_vilnius.
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GREEN WAVE The huge attention is taken to the city resilience to climate change – every year the city of Vilnius is planting new greeneries ( ~2200 trees and 8000 bushes were planted in 2020) https://maps.vilnius.lt/miesto-tvarkymas#l ayers ). As a continuation – in October 2021 the Mayor of the city launched the Green Wave - planting more than 100,000 trees, 10 million bushes and 300,000 climbing vines in Vilnius in 2 years 12
GREEN WAVE – INITIATIVE FOR ALL Open data on green wave plans is accessible on green city map Citizens are informed where and when new trees and their species are going to be planted. The map contains different private initiatives. e.g. donating city with plants, field works and funds required for more explicit greening of the city public spaces. Every resident can find the scheme how and where to plant trees, bushes, flowers and even vegetables or various herbs. Contact e-mail is available for consultations (see the picture) More on the Green wave – www.zalias.vilnius.lt
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RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Highlighting redesign of Vilnius public spaces in order to raise the spirit of Vilnius citizens, as COVID 19 has negatively affected their emotions
Providing more possibilities to be active in open air with sustainable and meaningful activities
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