As part of Revival of Public Spaces project, which aims to create a new form of experimental public space to boost synergies among different sectors, we’ve announced a public call for participation in co-design workshop for this kind of space. People who cared about revival and creation of something very special in Armenian capital Yerevan were invited: from social activists, enthusiasts to architects, artists, designers. Using several tools from user centered design toolkit, we tried to imagine, what could trigger social activism, attract different kind of people, make them want to contribute and volunteer for reviving the place.
Using the public space as a platform is meant to maximise the network effects of innovation, because by being physically close on the same physical platform, attempted innovations increase each other’s value and impact, as well as accelerate peer-to-peer learning.
We chose the learning-by-doing-together approach in the urban public spaces (streets, squares, green spaces, buildings) that are earmarked as places for prototyping new forms of collaboration and community-driven intervention. After one-on-one consultation meetings with the architects, innovators and “Yerevantsis” and also meeting with local governance representatives, the underpass in the M.Mashtots and G.Lusavorich crossroad was identified as the starting point for the project. As a result of meetings with the deputy Yerevan Mayor and involvement of the city council members we’ve also got a preliminary agreement on doing the project in the underpass.
As an outcome of the co-design workshop we formed a group of sociologists, urban experts, art curator and others to develop possible scenarios for the underpass based on their studies and researches. Based on the ideas discussed during the workshop, the activists’ group, formed around this project, also suggested to organize a sun gazing event for children and knit graffiti (yarn bombing) near the underpass area.
This is a dynamic and agile project, if you think you can contribute to the initiative, drop us a message on FB or at idea@kolba.am.
The project is jointly implemented by UNDP Armenia and FutureMakers initiative, funded by UNV.
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