On how a city of short distances might look and how districts might be shaped around transport, we discussed during the first meeting of the Gdańsk Urban Talks series, organized as part of „Open Lectures,” an initiative by the City Architect of Gdańsk.
The inaugural meeting, which took place on March 23rd at HUB, attracted over 50 people. The guest of the event was Jeroen Dirckx, from the Dutch design office KCAP, one of the implementers of the Gdańsk Nowe Południe master plan.
Using examples from various cities, he showed how contemporary cities are designed according to the TOD (transit-oriented development) idea and in the spirit of short-distance cities, so that they are friendly to residents. There was also a reference to the currently implemented project, namely the development of the Gdańsk Nowe Południe master plan.
– This project has been underway for some time said Jeroen Dirckx, partner at KCAP. – Much attention was paid to the new railway line, and we are examining how this line and the stops will be connected to the surroundings. We are bringing our international experience and working in dialogue with both the design team and residents in the social participation process.
After the lecture, a lively discussion ensued about the future of the city, the role of public transport, and how to create districts that are comfortable for everyday living.
Education and conversation about the city's future
The aim of Gdańsk Urban Talks is to increase residents' awareness of spatial planning and to show that urban development is a process based on a long-term vision and dialogue.
The meetings, organized by Gdańsk Nowe Południe (InvestGDA and Pomeranian Development Agency) and Airport City Gdańsk (Gdańsk Airport), are a continuation of „Open Lectures,” a project by the City Architect of Gdańsk. The series enriches this initiative with topics related to contemporary urban challenges, mobility, and spatial planning.
– During the lectures, we will talk about how cities are changing today in Europe and around the world – emphasized Michał Jamroż, project manager at InvestGDA/ARP. – We want to use foreign examples to build knowledge and awareness, here locally, about how we should transform areas in Gdańsk, for example, near PKM Południe or around Gdańsk Airport.
LEGO® Serious Play® Workshop – different perspectives, a common conversation
The second part of the meeting was a workshop. Using the LEGO® Serious Play® methodology, led by the communication agency INNTU, participants built models showing the most important challenges facing their surroundings and their own ideas for the development of Gdańsk's southern districts.
Each model was different. They reflected the individual experiences, needs, and ways of perceiving the city by the participants. This diversity showed how many perspectives need to be considered in spatial planning and how valuable it is to translate abstract urban ideas into concrete images and scenarios of change.
After the workshop, a lively discussion ensued about the future of the city, the role of public transport, and how to create districts that are comfortable for everyday living.
The next meeting in the Gdańsk Urban Talks series will take place on April 22nd. The organizers announce further talks with experts and workshops that will familiarize residents with the processes shaping contemporary cities and encourage active thinking about the future of Gdańsk.
