2 minute read
for citizens
Living Streets − temporarily redesigning public space for citizens
by Sini Lamoureux | sini.lamoureux@turku.fi
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Photo: The city of Tartu
Imagine a street in your city temporarily being closed down. Instead of being filled with car traffic and parked vehicles the street is turned into a livable public space where residents can meet and take part in activities. The Living Street concept, originally developed in Ghent (NL ), is a temporary action which transforms urban space for the citizens on their terms.
The cities Karlskrona (SWE), Tartu (EST) and Gdańsk (PL) have at least three things in common; they are UBC member cities, they are project partners in the Interreg BSR funded project cities.multimodal and they have organised Living Streets. There is no set model for the Living Street, cities can adapt the concept to their liking and therefor every Living Street is different.
Karlskrona’s Living Street was organised during the car-free day in connection to the European Mobility Week (EMW) 2019. The closed street was turned into a versatile public space in which some of the parking spots were transformed into mini parks. Even an obstacle course for hobby horsing was set up. The residents could also enjoy a farmer’s market, second-hand shopping as well as a DIY handicrafts workshop for the younger residents.
Karlskrona wasn’t the only city that combined the EMW with organising of a Living Street. The Living Street in Gdańsk encouraged residents to take part in activities with a sportive and healthy note. During a whole week an intersection in Gdańsk was closed down and filled with sport competitions, dance classes, free bicycle service as well as free health and recycling consultation. In Tartu the Living Street, which was organised in the end of June 2019, was combined with the launching of a new bike sharing system and bus lines. The campaign included several cultural elements such as a book fair, a silent disco and the showing of a sing-along version of the Grease movie.
From a sustainable urban mobility perspective, the Living Streets temporarily concretise everyday life without the dangers, noise and air pollution caused by car traffic. Living Streets are also a great opportunity for cities and municipalities to get to know their residents and their lifestyles in an interactive way.
Preparations of the Living Streets in G dańsk
