‘The Urban Walk Architecture Talk’— Bridging Socially Engaged Art, Urban Processes and Cultural Development

Abstract

“Urban Walk—Architecture Talk” is a project based on an elective seminar under the same title organized at the Faculty of Architecture of Gdańsk University of Technology. It aims at getting familiar with the topic of multi-layer and multi-sensory reception of public space, mainly by recognizing the needs of its users. Additionally, it deals with the consequences of such perception and the use of space in order to build more complete architectural design and urban concepts. It also fosters the awareness of the need to design public and built space as an integral and continuous part of the urban environment, including special places of interest. It elaborates on public space and its transformation and revitalization along the course of both social participation as well as art action in such a space. The project was implemented within the “People’s Smart Sculpture” context, comprising a series of workshops, meetings, lectures, discussions and study visits, conducted by three partner institutions: Gdańsk City Gallery, Faculty of Architecture at Gdańsk University of Technology and Department of Civil, Constructional and Environmental Engineering, DICEA, at Sapienza University of Rome. The main goal was to re(discover) and exchange experiences between two cities—Gdańsk and Rome—using city walking tours towards community-based city building in order to achieve it. The expertise gained and the exchange of best practice have served as a departing point for much complicated discussions about the transformations of the city’s public space with the active involvement of art and culture. The research period in both cities was concluded by events in public space, welcoming broad public participation. In Gdańsk, the final event was entitled “Crossing the bridges—Gdańsk Osiek”. The actions were directly linked with the international concept of the Jane’s Walk and were accompanied by various special events, like urban walk, art installations in public space, cultural picnic, workshops, concerts and more.