Rhythm and Means in the Public Space - Summer School
This initiative refers to an annual co-creation workshop, developed as a Summer School for students of architecture; this program seeks to emphasize the importance of the New European Bauhaus principles in the definition and organization of the public space network within rural settlements, as well as to raise awareness in regard to the part these places play in building the sense of belonging within communities - and maintaining the relevance of the rural areas in the present-day context.
Regional
Romania
Polovragi Municipality (Gorj County, Jiu Conurbation, Romania)
Mainly rural
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
Europe Direct Gorj Center Program of New European Bauhaus related activites, 2022
No
Yes
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Gorj County Library "Christian Tell", Târgu Jiu Type of organisation: Other public institution First name of representative: Olimpia Last name of representative: Bratu Gender: Female Nationality: Romania Function: Director Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Calea Eroilor 23 Town: Târgu Jiu Postal code: 210135 Country: Romania Direct Tel:+40 766 634 930 E-mail:bibliogorj@gmail.com Website:https://www.bibliotell.ro
The rural world is often perceived as a messy and irrelevant amalgam - despite the fact that it meets all the prerequisites for accommodating sustainable communities (as understood through the perspective of contemporary quality of life parameters). At the same time, while it is essential to anchor individuals, but also societies as a whole, in a known, understood, assumed and respected past - it is equally important that the heritage of the past does not remain frozen, but is interpreted, adapted and transformed, in order to become relevant in the present.
Organized by Europe Direct Center Gorj and the Gorj ”Christian Tell” County Library, in partnership with the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning in Timișoara, the „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School is an annual co-creation workshop dedicated to students of architecture, which approaches the subject of rural settlements and their relevance in the contemporary context, from the perspective of the specific elements of built heritage and their potential to form communities anchored in current economic realities. In this sense, the workshop applies a methodology of analysis and interpretation of the rural environment, from the territorial scale to the scale of an architectural object, emphasizing the ability of public space to encourage and accommodate community activities. During 5 days each summer, participants take part in an introductory lecture session, followed by fieldwork. Based on the conclusions, the participants then propose specific interventions in the public spaces identified during the analysis stage, in order to redefine them as architectural and landscape arrangements.
The conclusions of the workshop are finally presented to the community, in the form of a public debate; the purpose of this is to help students understand the full impact their projects can have on rural settlements, while also strengthening the sense of belonging within local communities.
Rural Settlements
The Network of Public Spaces
Co-Creation Workshops
Communities
Sense of Belonging
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School focuses on the importance of sustainability, both in terms of enhancing the natural environment, as well as incorporating the triggers for economic growth within the built fabric of rural settlements; the targeted end result is to find solutions for the creation of an attractive environment for the local community, in which their continuously changing needs can be accommodated, while also showing respect for the natural and built heritage.
Sustainability now:
One of the three main topics approached by the Summer School references the importance of preserving the existing hierarchy and rhythms between the natural and anthropic components that define the ensemble. Sustainability is therefore key in establishing fruitful relations of proximity between the community and these two major components of the rural environment, at every level of intervention. Students thus learn the importance of maintaining a balance between the main ecological corridors and natural areas - as means of connection to the larger landscape unit, and the main corridors for economic development - as much-needed triggers for growth, while also imagining solutions for the transformation of the areas in which these two components overlap into lively spaces to support the needs of the community.
Sustainability in the future:
By replicating this initiative in the future, in different rural contexts, with different key elements of the environment, the aim is to identify potential patterns - in the sense of defining solutions for the design of active public spaces, that encourage both economic and social activities, while also enhancing the natural element.
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School seeks to identify and emphasize the characteristics of the local heritage, both built and unbuilt, as well as the positive impact that the valorisation of these elements - and their reinterpretation to better suit the needs of the present-day society - can have on the local community.
Aesthetics now:
Another one of the three main topics approached by the Summer School references the continuity and coherence that must be achieved through every intervention, from territorial level to the scale of an object. Students therefore learn that, with every intervention, all conflicts between the natural and anthropic elements must be avoided - or turned into opportunities for growth. At the same time, the preservation of patrimonial values in designing (or operating on) both architectural objects and public spaces contributes to the local identity and community pride.
Aesthetics in the future:
By replicating this initiative in the future, in different rural contexts, with different cultural and historical backgrounds, the aim is to identify potential patterns - in the sense of defining the aesthetic component as a physical, justified response to a certain situation, rather than a random gesture.
The purpose of the „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School is dual. For one, it helps students of architecture get in touch with the rural environment and its realities, as well as understand the importance of the New European Bauhaus principles when operating on a public space. Equally important, the interaction between specialists (and specialists in the making) and the local community, as well as the emphasis of the valuable characteristics of the local heritage, helps the residents understand the potential of their settlements, while also contributing to a sense of belonging.
Inclusion now:
The last one of the three main topics approached by the Summer School references the continuous adaptation of the rural areas to the evolution of stimuli and needs, which needs to be encouraged in order to bring together the community. In terms of the public spaces within a settlement, students learn the importance of ensuring the inclusive character of the arrangements - both culturally and physically. Thus, the co-creation of new proposals, with the involvement of the local community, is quintessential; at the same time, providing good accessibility, for all the potential users, is equally important. Nonetheless, public spaces must be seen as the result of cooperation between stakeholders, at every level of intervention - while also enabling the interaction between members of the community (and between the community and the potential visitors) in an environment rooted in the local identity, but adapted to present-day needs.
Inclusion in the future:
By replicating this initiative in the future, in different rural contexts, and for different communities, the aim is to identify potential patterns - in the sense of defining a methodology for involving locals in the decision-making process and the co-creation of public spaces.
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School is organized by „Christian Tell” Gorj County Library, in partnership with the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Politehnica University of Timișoara, as an annual co-creation workshop dedicated to students of architecture, which approaches the subject of rural settlements and their relevance in the contemporary context, focusing on the ability of the public space to encourage and host community activities.
As such, the two main groups that are benefitting from this initiative are:
the students of architecture, which, through this workshop, get in touch with the rural environment and its realities, while also understanding the importance of the New European Bauhaus principles when operating on a public space;
the local communities, which, through this workshop, understand the potential of their settlements, while also gaining a sense of belonging.
Both of these two groups’ inputs are reflected in the results of this initiative, as follows:
the students’ contribution consists of proposals for small-scale interventions with significant impact in the public space;
the communities’ contribution consists of participation in public consultations with representatives of the local administration and of the civil society;
the overlapping of the two components shapes the final results, presented in a booklet.
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School is financed by „Christian Tell” Gorj County Library (through the New European Bauhaus programme). As initiator, the „Christian Tell” Gorj County Library chooses the settlements which are to be studied, based on the previous experiences with the local administrations and communities - while also providing the logistics for the development of the workshop.
The methodological approach is coordinated by the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Politehnica University of Timișoara, which has an on-going partnership with the „Christian Tell” County Library in Gorj. As scientific coordinators, the tutors (architects / urban planners, currently teaching at the university) develop the methodology applied during the workshop (in accordance with the New European Bauhaus principles), while also coordinating the students in their fieldwork.
The local administration (as well as other public institutions) provide students with information regarding the history and present-day context of the settlement, while also facilitating the students’ direct access to the community. They also contribute by organizing public consultations, during which the students’ findings and proposals are presented to the general public, which then in turn express their opinion.
Finally, local business owners as well as the local residents themselves are also involved in the process (be it indirectly) - as during the fieldwork students interact with them, seeking to understand their needs and incorporate them into their proposals for the refurbishment of the public spaces.
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School is the result of the combined efforts and experience of both „Christian Tell” Gorj County Library and the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Politehnica University of Timișoara.
Designed as a co-creation workshop, which aims to tackle the issue of public space within the rural environment and its relevance in the present-day context, this summer school builds upon a variety of knowledge fields, related to urban planning and architecture.
At the core of this initiative, lie the three principles defined by the New European Bauhaus movement (beautiful | sustainable | together), promoted locally by „Christian Tell” Gorj County Library.
Overlapping these principles, the methodology conceived and applied by the tutors (teachers at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Politehnica University of Timișoara) brings forward technical issues, as means of implementing into practice the theoretical principles upon which this initiative is built.
Finally, the direct relation with representatives of the public authority and the local community, facilitated and mediated by „Christian Tell” Gorj County Library brings to the table the „soft” aspects - namely those regarding the needs and wants of local residents, as well as their opinion on what is relevant in the present-day context.
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School focuses on the rural environment, a subject of interest in the present-day context. However, the innovative aspect of this initiative is that it looks beyond the valuable characteristics of the built and unbuilt heritage, seeking to understand how these can be not just preserved - but also valorized and reinterpreted in order to suit the needs of contemporary communities.
Emphasizing the need to find the right balance between heritage (both natural and anthropic) and the economic triggers for growth, the summer school focuses on conceiving small-scale solutions for intervention within the public space. These build on both the New European Bauhaus principles, as well as on the existing local values - in order to create inclusive and attractive places for all the members of the community.
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School is conceived as an on-going process, to be further developed in other rural settlements in Gorj County.
By replicating this initiative in the future, in different rural contexts, with different key elements of the environment, different cultural and historical backgrounds and different community structures, the aim is to identify potential patterns - in the sense of defining guidelines for the design of active public spaces in the rural areas.
But the initiative can be further extended to include other areas of the Jiu Conurbation (and eventually of the country itself) as well - as the methodology is flexible enough to be applicable in various contexts and situations.
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School follows a methodology of analysis and interpretation of the rural environment, which concentrates on the following steps:
1) understanding the context, in respect to the rural typologies and main structures of the rural fabric
2) frameworking the opportunities, in respect to the European policies, the existing literature, the Romanian legislation and the opportunities for communities
3) setting the research framework, through the definition of three transversal principles; these refer to:
- from territory to object - coherence and continuity: the continuity and coherence of the approach, from territorial level to the scale of an object
- between natural and anthropic - hierarchy and rhythm: the preservation of the existing hierarchy and rhythms established between the natural and anthropic components
- community coagulation - stimuli and needs in time: the continuous adaptation to the evolution of stimuli and needs, in order to bring the community together
4) defining the research instruments, through the definition of three specific forms of representation, for each of the three analysis scales:
- the territorial chorema
- the settlement structure diagram
- the public space distribution scheme
The methodology is then further applied on the analysis of a specific settlement (such as - in 2022 - Polovragi, Gorj County, Jiu Conurbation, Romania). Following a few days in the field, the students of architecture conclude the analysis on the three spatial levels (territory, settlement, public space) and focus on proposing recommendations based on the three thematic categories, as defined by the New European Bauhaus principles. Finally, the small-scale interventions proposed by students as examples of what can be done in the public space are presented in the form of a public debate, with local communities and authorities alike expressing their opinion and participating in a co-creation workshop.
Analysis and interpretation of the rural environment through the perspective of the New European Bauhaus principles and the realities of the present-day context - thus raising awareness about rural areas within future specialists (students of architecture), while also encouraging the local communities in regaining a sense of belonging.
Although mere proposals for small-scale interventions, the solutions imagined by students aim to adapt the existing network of public spaces to the present-day needs, transforming them into inclusive places, which are accessible to all members of the community and are able to host a variety of social and economic activities.
The targeted end result is raising the attraction of the rural environment for both local communities and tourists alike, thus fighting the global challenge of depopulation and encouraging socio-economic and environmental resiliency.
The „Rhythm and Means in the Public Space” Summer School is an on-going initiative, to be further developed in other rural settlements in Gorj County.
Up until now, this initiative materialized in one co-creation workshop organized in August 2022. During this workshop, a group of 9 students of architecture, coordinated by 2 tutors from the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Politehnica University of Timișoara, completed an analysis of the Polovragi village in Gorj County, Jiu Conurbation, Romania - while also proposing small-scale interventions for upgrading seven existing public spaces in order to accommodate the present-day needs of the local community.
These proposals were conceived in accordance with the methodology for analysis and interpretation of the rural environment, presented in the RuRAl booklet (attached), and the three principles of the New European Bauhaus movement - and were further presented during a public consultation session, organized with the support of the local administration. The feedback coming from the local community was incorporated into the proposals, which were finally published as a case study in the RuRAl booklet (attached).
During the following years, the „Christian Tell” Gorj County Library plans to organize several more such co-creation workshops, in collaboration with the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Politehnica University of Timișoara. These workshops are to be held in different rural settlements throughout the county (in the first stage) - but possibly even in Jiu Conurbation (in the future).
The attached Development Plan contains the initiatives foreseen for the future (2023-2024).
The Summer School adheres to the GreenComp European sustainability competence framework in regard to the issue of rural areas and their relevance in the present-day context. Its contribution to each of the four competence areas of GreenComp consists of:
a) embodying sustainability values - through this workshop, students learn how to value sustainability, support fairness and promote nature, by becoming aware of the specificities of the rural environment; the key issue is therefore that of maintaining a balance between the main ecological corridors (and natural areas) and the main corridors for economic development, while also imagining solutions for supporting the needs of the community; in order to achieve these competencies, students will take part in on-site visits and fieldwork, in order to analyze and interpret the existing situation within rural settlements;
b) embracing complexity in sustainability - through this workshop, students develop a systemic and critical thinking, as well as a problem solving attitude towards the current challenges of the rural environment; the key issue is therefore that of finding solutions for creating inclusive and attractive public spaces by taking part in workshops for finding solutions, as well as in public consultations;
c) envisioning sustainable futures - through this workshop, students learn how to understand, adapt and explore; the key issue is therefore that of proposing small-scale interventions within the existing public space network, in order to ensure that these are able to host activities representative for the present-day needs of individuals and communities alike, while also preserving the valuable characteristics of the natural and anthropic heritage;
d) acting for sustainability - through this workshop, students learn how to combine collective actions with individual initiatives, in an effort for finding the balance between the natural and anthropic components,between heritage and economic growth etc.
