What happened during this Network quarter?
From October to December 2024, ARCHETHICS Network focused on the delivery of the Mid Term Reflection, a process that provided an opportunity to analyze the implementation of activities, assess challenges, and outline improvements. Through interactive sessions, partners shared insights on digital transformation, green transition, and heritage preservation.
Core Network Meeting in Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal
On November 5-6, 2024, ARCHETHICS partner cities gathered in Vila Nova de Cerveira for an intensive two-day event. Highlights included:
- A study visit to the historical Castelo de Cerveira.
- A workshop on borders, migration, and co-living.
- A visit to the XXIII International Art Biennale of Cerveira.
- A peer-review workshop on dissonant heritage strategies.
- A walking experience along the Camino de Santiago.
- One-to-one meetings with city partners to refine action plans.
Key Insights from the Mid-Term Reflection
Survey results and discussions highlighted several achievements:
- Enhanced understanding of dissonant heritage across all partners.
- Active engagement of local communities in heritage-related activities.
- Successful testing actions with a positive impact on urban strategies.
- Involvement of cultural and historical institutions at multiple levels.
- Emergence of new projects and initiatives as an ARCHETHICS follow-up.
- Stronger ties with the Urban Agenda for the EU - Action 10 and other relevant networks.
Bilateral Meetings: Digital Transformation for Dissonant Heritage
A key milestone was the first bilateral exchange on digital transformation and green transition. Cities such as Vila Nova de Cerveira, Cesena, Gdańsk, Kazanlak, and Krakow participated in sessions that explored:
- A mini-hackathon to generate digital ideas for heritage preservation.
- Development of a pilot digital archive for Dissonant Heritage.
- Use of augmented reality and gaming to engage younger audiences.
Testing Actions: The Gdańsk Experience
In October 2024, Gdańsk launched a participatory initiative to increase awareness of its dissonant heritage, focusing on the Grunwald Residential District. Key activities included:
- A pop-up street exhibition showcasing the history of the neighborhood.
- Architectural walks led by expert guides.
- A community discussion space to gather residents’ input on urban renewal.
This initiative addressed challenges such as urban degradation, noise pollution, and lack of green spaces while fostering public engagement in sustainable urban planning.
Online Workshops and One-to-One Meetings
To support partners in refining their IAPs, ARCHETHICS hosted several online events:
- October 8, 2024: A thematic workshop on digital transformation, featuring case studies from Ravenna (IT) and Budapest (HU).
- December 17, 2024: The final IAP workshop, preparing cities for the upcoming peer review.
- Ongoing: One-to-one meetings with city representatives for tailored support.
Next Steps and Future Outlook
As the project moves forward, key priorities include:
- Organizing a Political Board Meeting in Krakow on April 2, 2025, to present a Political Manifesto on Dissonant Heritage.
- Launching capacity-building activities on EU funding and crowdfunding strategies.
- Developing a pilot digital archive of Dissonant Heritage at a European level.
- Addressing gender-sensitive approaches and green solutions in urban planning.
- Strengthening collaboration with URBACT Local Group coordinators to ensure long-term impact.
The ARCHETHICS Network remains committed to driving sustainable urban development through innovation, digital transformation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Stay connected for more updates on this journey toward a more inclusive and resilient urban future.