Date of label : 29/10/2024
Cultural centre fostering creativity and collaboration.
Summary
Czasoprzestrzeń, located in the former Dąbie tram depot in Wrocław (PL) and owned by the municipality, is a unique cultural centre fostering creativity and collaboration among students, artists, social leaders, and NGOs. It hosts a variety of events including concerts, expositions, workshops, and community gatherings, providing a space for innovative ideas and cultural exchange. In times of crisis (Covid-19 or Ukrainian war refugee crisis) it serves as a humanitarian hub. This project demonstrates how urban spaces can be repurposed to enrich local communities and support diverse cultural activities.
The solutions offered by the Good Practice
The Czasoprzestrzeń project, commissioned by Wrocław Municipality and managed by the Tratwa Association, transformed the historic Dąbie tram depot into a hub for academic and cultural activities, in line with Wrocław's goals for urban revitalisation and community engagement.
Key milestones:
- Adapting former-industrial spaces for cultural events.
- Launching community projects like workshops, concerts, and festivals.
- Collaborating with local organisations.
Activities range from music festivals and art exhibitions to educational workshops and social initiatives. For example, the wrOFF Showcase festival highlights local music talent, while Boczny Tor ArtBazar supports emerging artists and craftsmen. The centre also offers spaces for NGOs, fostering social innovation.
Outcomes include:
- A significant increase in community participation, with thousands of attendees annually.
- The creation of a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and social cohesion.
The project addresses the need for accessible cultural spaces and supports local talent and community initiatives. Future improvements will focus on achieving financial stability through sustainable funding sources and partnerships, and diversifying revenue streams by expanding commercial activities like event rentals.
Ensuring long-term viability will involve strengthening collaborations with local businesses and international cultural networks to mitigate financial risks and enhance resource sharing.
Building on the sustainable and integrated urban approach
The Czasoprzestrzeń project addresses urban challenges through an integrated approach that encompasses environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
Environmental: Revitalises a historic industrial site, promoting sustainable use of urban spaces and reducing the ecological footprint of new construction.
Economic: Promotes local development by creating jobs, attracting visitors, and supporting local artists and businesses through events and market spaces.
Social: Fosters community engagement, cultural exchange, and educational opportunities, enhancing social cohesion and inclusion by providing a venue for different groups to interact and collaborate.
Based on participatory approach
Czasoprzestrzeń exemplifies a participatory approach by actively involving a broad spectrum of stakeholders in its development and implementation. The Tratwa Association collaborates with municipal authorities, students, artists, local residents, and NGOs to ensure the centre meets the community's needs.
Regular community meetings, workshops, and feedback sessions allow stakeholders to contribute ideas and participate in decision-making processes. Partnerships with educational institutions, cultural organisations, and local businesses enhance the centre’s activities and resources, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse voices shape the project's direction and outcomes.
What difference has it made?
Czasoprzestrzeń has made a significant impact at the local level by revitalising a historic space into a thriving cultural hub, thereby addressing various community needs.
Key outcomes:
- Increased cultural and social activities in Wrocław, with the centre attracting around 68 000 visitors annually.
- A platform for local artists and organisations, with the centre hosting 50 concerts and festivals annually, 20 fairs for flowers and local products, and 30 exhibitions and film screenings.
Before the project, the tram depot was an underutilised industrial site. Post-implementation, it has become a vibrant community space, enhancing local cultural life, fostering social cohesion, and stimulating economic activity through events, workshops, and markets. The project has improved the quality-of-life for residents by creating a dynamic environment for cultural exchange and community engagement.
Why this Good Practice should be transferred to other cities
Czasoprzestrzeń’s practice of repurposing a historic industrial site into a cultural and academic hub is highly relevant for other European cities facing similar challenges of urban revitalisation and community engagement.
It addresses common policy goals:
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and Infrastructure).
- The Urban Agenda for the EU, by enhancing quality-of-life and supporting social inclusion.
- The EU Territorial Agenda 2030, by encouraging the use of cultural heritage as a resource for sustainable development and social cohesion.
The practice aligns with Polish national policies promoting cultural heritage preservation, urban revitalisation, and community engagement. This supports the project’s implementation and funding, and enhances its replicability in other cities with similar governance frameworks.
The practice showcases how cities can creatively transform underutilised spaces into vibrant community assets, facilitating cultural exchange, social innovation, and economic development.
Czasoprzestrzeń’s flexible model can be adapted to various city contexts by tailoring activities to local cultural, social, and economic needs. Essential adjustments might include aligning with local governance structures and leveraging unique community assets.
Successful transfer requires:
- Understanding local needs.
- Securing stakeholder engagement.
- Obtaining financial and legislative support.
Key steps include building partnerships with local organisations, adapting the model to fit local contexts, and ensuring sustainable funding sources are in place.