Cultural Planning as a method for urban social innovation
UrbCulturalPlanning
 
PROGRAMME 2014-2020
priority
1 Innovation
objective
1.3 Non-technological innovation

UrbCulturalPlanning

The project UrbCulturalPlanning addressed social and urban development by involving citizens in the cultural planning.
Common societal challenges in the Baltic Sea region

Cities in the Baltic Sea region are challenged by emerging societal and demographic changes and a growing need for sustainable development of neighbourhoods. Active co-creation among citizens and between citizens and authorities can be a way to overcome the increasing exclusion of socially sensitive groups, such as the elderly and minors, and to advance Baltic Sea region social innovation.  Dealing with these societal challenges requires innovative approaches and the involvement of citizens. Therefore, city and community administrators urgently need to learn and deploy new skills of innovative and participatory problem-solving.

 

Cultural Planning as a proven method of citizen-centred social innovation

The project UrbCulturalPlanning developed a number of hands-on Demonstrator Projects to address the challenges of shrinking cities, social inclusion, gentrification, use of green and blue resources, lack of community life, stigmatisation or conflicts.

The project used cultural events and gaming methods to engage people in urban social innovation and stimulate interactions among varied groups of citizens. The project also stimulated the cooperation between the municipalities and cultural planners for better use of public spaces.

Budgets

UrbCulturalPlanning
in numbers
  • 2.53
    Million
    Total
  • 1.77
    Million
    Erdf
  • 0.13
    Million
    Eni + Russia
  • 0.06
    Million
    Norway

Achievements

UrbCulturalPlanning initiated significant changes in cultural planning in the Baltic Sea region.

Hundreds of city managers participated in urban labs to explore models they can reuse in their cities. The collected knowledge was shared online in seven languages. A handbook on a cultural planning method and mentoring services helped city authorities and local NGOs use the method efficiently. Model residences showcased the inspiring co-existence and space sharing with creative people, such as artists and architects. The project also involved young citizens in urban social innovation via gaming tools.

Municipal examples inspire

Among the developments that the project introduced, there are several examples to share. Thus, the “Art Strategy for Guldborgsund Municipality” - to be formally adopted by the City Council Committee for Rural Areas, Culture and Leisure Time - refers directly to central methodologies and concepts developed by UrbCultural Planning. Another example is the creation of the Centre for Artistic City Development (KunstMacht), which will keep transferring the methods of the project, promoting artistic urban development projects and facilitating the networking of actors locally, regionally and internationally. Furthermore, the city of Pori is now working on a major rejuvenation plan for the city centre, using the cultural planning methodology.

On the basis of the project’s experience, an initiative focusing on rural areas was born, namely “RuralCulturalPlanning”. It will apply the method of UrbCulturalPlanning, but this time to help public authorities to deal with societal problems in rural areas.

Outputs

BSR Urban Toolkit

The Urban Toolkit has been developed as a hands-on online manual for cultural planning practitioners (social and cultural activists, officials in city councils, local districts and institutions dealing with urban planning, architects, and urban planners). It contains existing case studies and tools from around the Baltic Sea region and partners’ experience from Demonstrator Projects, as well as the knowledge shared during BSR Urban Labs and conferences.  

Project Stories

Partners

Danish Cultural Institute

  • Town
    Copenhagen K
  • Region
    Byen København
  • Country
    Denmark
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
431,129.00
55.686724312.5700724

Heinrich Böll Foundation Schleswig-Holstein

  • Town
    Kiel
  • Region
    Kiel, Kreisfreie Stadt
  • Country
    Germany
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
246,020.00
54.322708510.135555

Copenhagen International Theater

  • Town
    Copenhagen K
  • Region
    Byen København
  • Country
    Denmark
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
214,900.00
55.686724312.5700724

City Culture Institute

  • Town
    Gdańsk
  • Region
    Trójmiejski
  • Country
    Poland
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
157,270.00
54.3611928518.62860883362069

Project company Kiel-Gaarden GmbH

  • Town
    Kiel
  • Region
    Kiel, Kreisfreie Stadt
  • Country
    Germany
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
158,660.00
54.322708510.135555

Guldborgsund Municipality

  • Town
    Nykøbing F
  • Region
    Vest- og Sydsjælland
  • Country
    Denmark
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
149,040.00
54.764613711.8709918

Pomorskie Voivodeship

  • Town
    Gdansk
  • Region
    Trójmiejski
  • Country
    Poland
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
41,470.00
53.303521419.9057132

City of Pori

  • Town
    Pori
  • Region
    Satakunta
  • Country
    Finland
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
238,700.00
61.486554221.7968951

City of Riga

  • Town
    Rīga
  • Region
    Rīga
  • Country
    Latvia
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
242,032.00
56.949397724.1051846

Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

  • Town
    Vilnius
  • Region
    Vilniaus apskritis
  • Country
    Lithuania
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
228,990.00
54.687045825.2829111

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

  • Town
    Elverum
  • Region
    Hedmark
  • Country
    Norway
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
124,300.00
60.9728024511.734442073482581

University of Skövde

  • Town
    Skövde
  • Region
    Västra Götalands län
  • Country
    Sweden
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
73,542.00
58.389845313.8443792

The Baltic Sea Cultural Centre

  • Town
    Gdańsk
  • Region
    Trójmiejski
  • Country
    Poland
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
74,277.00
53.303521419.9057132

SUCCEEDED by PP15 (01/05/2020) Baltic Branch of the Federal State Public Institution of Culture "State Museum and exhibition centre "ROSIZO" "

  • Town
    Kaliningrad
  • Region
    Kaliningrad Oblast
  • Country
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
20,832.25
54.71012820.5105838

The Baltic Branch of The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

  • Town
    Kaliningrad
  • Region
    Kaliningrad Oblast
  • Country
Approximate total partner budget in EUR
127,222.75
54.71012820.5105838