Cultural heritage

A similar consideration within the New European Bauhaus for enabling transformative change is the role of the historical character of the cities, villages, and rural areas within which NEB’s projects are implemented.

Cultural heritage

Since the NEB is focused on the design and the aesthetics of Europe’s future living environment, it must take into consideration the current shape and historic character of our cities, villages and rural areas, where NEB projects will be implemented.

Cultural heritage provides an important framework for the well-being and social cohesion of citizens and communities. The preservation of historic buildings, their surrounding landscape, and the cultural activities they host, contributes to our feeling of home and sense of belonging. It also provides a vital bridge between our sense of belonging and the need to embrace new ways of life.

In Week 1, step 1.9 we explored the role of creative placemaking in the design and implementation of urban development. Here, we’ll examine the role that cultural activities play in supporting transformative change.

Here are some examples of the citizen led initiatives supported by the NEB and how these projects promote the rediscovery and reconnection of people with place:

Ruins of Livonian Order castle in Dobele, Latvia

This project sought to conserve and restore the Dobele castle by creating new public spaces within the ruins using materials and design sympathetic to the castle’s historical heritage.

Tejiendo la Calle (Knitting the Street), Spain

A collaborative project based in Spain, this project used crochet to create sun shades throughout the streets of Valverde de La Vera in Cáceres. Designed to promote inclusivity and a sense of community the project brought together women, men and children to create an installation that reflects the town’s cultural legacy.

Fuse, Malta

A collaborative venture located in Malta, Fuse designed a series of art installations based on the legacy, identities, and stories of the people who lived in one of the country’s oldest buildings.

Enabling frameworks

In addition to extending an invitation to EU Member states to mainstream NEB’s core values in their respective strategies for territorial and socio-economic development, NEB provided a series of information sessions and funding opportunities designed to support citizen led, community-based projects creating meaningful cultural transformation on the ground.

NEB followed these actions with the establishment of the New European Bauhaus Lab and promoted the visibility of community change makers by assembling the New European Bauhaus Festival in spring 2022.

NEB provided funding opportunities designed to support citizen led, community-based projects. Copyright European Union

Further reading

If you would like to explore some of the concepts we have covered in more detail, the following resources are optional.

European Heritage Alliance Manifesto: Cultural Heritage – a powerful Catalyst for the Future of Europe

Temporary Use as a Participatory Placemaking Tool to Support Cultural Initiatives and Its Connection to City Marketing Strategies—The Case of Athens

Aesthetic Preference as Starting Point for Citizen Dialogues on Urban Design: Stories from Hammarkullen, Gothenburg