New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Project category

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted
Regaining a sense of belonging

Email user
grzegorzlayer@gmail.com

Basic information
Project title
Polished Backyard 2016

Full Project Title
Plac na Glanc (Polished Backyard)

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.
Polished Backyard is an annual event concerned with the revitalisation of Katowice's rundown urban backyards, which has been taking place since 2013. It is a response to the particular needs of citizens in post-industrial areas where space allowing neighbourly relationships is missing. The area is chosen in an open competition, the citizens may nominate their backyards. The participatory aspect is crucial - future users take part in both the creative process and its implementation.

What was the geographical scope of your project?
Local

Where was your project implemented?
Member State(s) and Western Balkans
Poland

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
Katowice

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?
Mainly urban

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
Yes

Which fund(s)?
CF : Cohesion Fund

Here you can provide more details about the name of the specific programme, strand/action line as relevant, and the year
The particular project implemented in the year 2016 that is a subject of this application was not supported by any EU funds. However the suport was received in the year 2021 for one of the next editions of the project.

Has your project won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Is your project fully completed
Yes

Please indicate a date (mm/yy)
2016-09-26

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As an individual
Please provide the contact details for the project promoter (the individual or representative of the organisation authorised to represent the project).
- First name: Grzegorz
  Last name: Layer
  Gender: Male
  Nationality: Poland
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Kochanowskiego18/19
  Town: Katowice
  Postal code: 40-035
  Country: Poland
  Direct Tel: +48 608 172 768
  E-mail: grzegorzlayer@gmail.com
  Website: http://grzegorz.layer.com.pl/
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/grzegorzlayer/
In case my project is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my project in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
Press

Description of the project
Please provide a summary of your project.
Polished Backyard is an annual event concerned with the revitalisation of Katowice's rundown urban backyards. It is a response to the particular needs of citizens in post-industrial areas where space allowing neighbourly relationships is missing. The area is chosen in an open competition, the citizens may nominate their backyards. We believe that properly-functioning public space can be created solely through the participation of the local community. The future users take part in both the creative process and its implementation. The first stage of the project is a series of workshops during which we get to know residents, their needs and expectations. Making some of the designed elements brings the residents together and develops their sense of responsibility for the commonly shared area. The project shows also other citizens how to change their surroundings. For this reason we choose simple, ecological and cheap solutions and we use recycled materials.
The backyard of Powstancow 4 was a major design challenge, primarily because of the degree of neglect it had suffered and a complete lack of greenery. It worked only as the storage of rubbish. We wanted to accommodate as many functions as we could in such a small space, responding to the various needs. Therefore we designed elements that could be used by people of all ages, such as a mini-golf course and hammocks stretched between “tree-lanterns”. In addition to a large terrace with seating, the yard was also provided with a smaller terrace for children and a children's play area. Together with the residents we used wooden fruit boxes to make a cover for the rubbish bins. Together we also planted plants, which over time will diversify the surroundings. We also installed a rainwater tank to help with the cultivation of the greenery. By the use of varied landforms and non-obvious colours, we wanted to take the residents from a previously neglected backyard, gray and sad, to a different, miniature fairy-tale world.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.
Revitalisation

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Participation

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Locality

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Community

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
DIY

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
- Introducing the greenery into degraded urban context. Creating the oasis of nature for local people who benefit from gaining the recreation space in close proximity - no need to travel to the outskirts.
- Consideration for the specifics of the plans used - choosing those that are not demanding in terms of the sunlight, and rain water shortages.
- Using the materials that are in accordance with the sustainability aims - ecological, recycled materials.
- Implementing and promoting among the local community involved in the process the DIY concept.
- Introducing the idea of the water close circulation by designing the system of acquiring rain water, storing it in water tanks and using to water the plants.
- Togetherness - the local community members participated in every stage of the project implementation - they contributed their ideas and were involved in the production process that provided them the insight into 'know how' about the functioning of the backyard.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
The backyard of Powstancow 4 was a major design challenge, primarily because of the degree of neglect it had suffered and a complete lack of greenery. Residents used it only for the storage of rubbish. We wanted to accommodate as many functions as we could in such a small space, responding to the needs of both older and younger residents. Therefore we designed elements that could be used by people of all ages, such as a mini-golf course and hammocks that are stretched between “tree-lanterns” which glow at night. In addition to a large terrace with seating, the yard was also provided with a smaller terrace for children and a children's play area with a rocking dinosaur and a tunnel running through a grassy knoll. By the use of varied landforms and non-obvious colours, we wanted to take the residents from a previously neglected backyard, gray and sad, to a different, miniature fairy-tale world.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
All the implemented methods and materials used are easily accessible and affordable.
The project's starting point was the belief that properly-functioning public space can be created solely through the participation of the local community. This means that, from the very beginning, future users are involved in the process of renovation, taking part in both the creative process and its implementation. The first stage of the project is a series of workshop meetings during which we get to know residents, their needs and expectations. Together we measure the yard and build a model on which we test a variety of ideas. The citizens are involved also in planting and building some structures. We also choose simple, ecological and cheap solutions and we use recycled materials.
The project operated on a very limited budget (38000 PLN which equals around 8600 Euro).

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project
Designing the plans together and making the elements that will become a part of the newly created space brings the residents together and develops their sense of responsibility for the commonly shared area. An important aspect of the project is also to show other citizens that it is possible for them to change their surroundings for themselves and how to achieve this.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was.
The idea of the project and its design was created by the group of young local designers: Grzegorz Layer, Michał Centkowski and Ewa Labus.
The main organiser of the project is a municipal cultural organisation "Katowice Miasto Ogrodów" (Katowice City of Gardens).
There were also private donors who offer some support involved.
The area for revitalisation is chosen by a jury in an annual contest and the citizens of Katowice may nominate their backyards.
The chosen community participates in the design process and its implementation.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was.
The project combines various disciplines: architecture, urban studies, sociology, culture studies, ecology, biodiversity.
It is reflected in the creative designing process and its crucial component - a series of workshops during which the expertesee of various team members is shared with local community members.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries
The result of the project is creation of the space that meets the needs of the particular community. It is created in the process that starts with identifying and defying their needs and research of the space in question. In the series of meetings with local community members we establish which elements of the backyard are functional, important to them, and used by them, which of them carry emotional value and should be preserved. In this particular backyard the citizens pointed out the clothes horse - which is a traditional elements of Silesian urban backyard landscape - both practical and used for recreation - as the item they want to keep.
As the result of the project the modern, well-designed, aesthetically interesting and innovative space of recreation and multi generational integration is created. The process itself also demands a cooperation of various age groups members providing the opportunity to get to know each other.
An important aspect of the project is also to show other citizens that it is possible for them to change their surroundings for themselves and how to achieve this. For this reason we choose simple, ecological and cheap solutions and we use recycled materials. In that sense the project benefits not only its direct users but potentially may have far bigger impact reaching the indirect beneficiaries as well.

Please provide documents showing the results, outcomes and impacts of your project
PDF
PDF
Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project
The core idea of the project is to create the space responding to very specific needs and the demographic characteristics of the local community . Therefore the process starts with the research of the users needs and the character of the space.
Another innovative aspects is to Include the users in every step of the designing and implementation of the projects.
The usage of the affordable, as much as possible recycled materials makes it innovative too - creating a response the the challenging financial and economical circumstances that many contemporary urban communities and municipalities struggles with nowadays.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.
The main components of the methodology implemented in the projects are:
- participation
- inclusiveness
- multidisciplinary approach combining various areas of knowledge and experience
-using the affordable, recycled materials and DIY methods
- user-oriented design approach
- workshops and the main method of designing
- initiating the process with the research oriented at the needs of the users and the ways they use and would like to use the space
- respect for the space, searching for its identity - 'genius loci", creating its new face.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.
The whole concept of the project is rooted in the idea of the possibility to be replicated and transferred as the example of good, affordable and relatively easy to implement.
It is worth mentioning that every edition of the project ends with the open event to which every potentially interested citizen / designer/ municipality representative is welcome. It is a great opportunity to showcase the results of our work and to spread the idea that may be (and has been several times so far) implemented in other spaces and circumstances.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions
The main issues the project addresses may be described as following:
- ecology - through creating the oasis of greenery in the postindustrial city
- sustainability - using the recycled materials enforces the awareness of the ways we use the natural resources
- revitalisation - creating a good quality space of recreation that counteracts degradation of the post industrial areas which may be a source of various social dysfunctions
- developing social bonds and interactions between neighbours also those belonging to various generations
- preventing the sense of alienation and anonymity
- regaining the sense of belonging.
- developing the responsibility for common spaces, areas and community
- improving the quality of recreation - which is highly needed and appreciated in nowadays urban environment
- promotion of good designing practices oriented at the users
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below
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By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that you are not in in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation.
Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the project and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary.
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their projects, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted project, is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes