Revitalising Public Spaces and Strengthening Civic Engagement
Published on
03/06/2025
About this challenge
Czechia
Challenge description
The Czech city of Trutnov is a dynamically developing municipality in the Hradec Králové Region in Czechia that also performs selected state administration functions for surrounding municipalities. With a population of approximately 30,000, it combines a rich historical and cultural heritage with a strong presence in industry, services, education, tourism, and sports. Trutnov also serves as one of the key gateways to the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) tourist region.
The city is currently facing complex challenges related to sustainable urban development, which are particularly evident in spatial planning and the need for effective civic participation in shaping the city's future. We value civic engagement and are actively working to strengthen it through participatory budgeting and structured public consultations, while also fostering mutual trust between local authorities and citizens.
This exchange will enable the transfer of innovation and expertise from our partner city and support shared European objectives in sustainable urban development, spatial planning, and the green transition.
Our Challenge
We are seeking inspiration and proven methods to:
1. Improve the quality of public spaces in line with strategic urban planning goals and climate change adaptation. We aim to transform public areas into multifunctional spaces accessible to all population groups, enhancing quality of life and strengthening community bonds.
Or/And:
2. Strengthen civic engagement and cultivate constructive dialogue between municipal authorities and residents, encourage shared responsibility and joint stewardship of public spaces and the city’s future. Ensure the active involvement of the public throughout the entire project cycle—from idea generation to implementation and maintenance. Support the long-term sustainability of implemented projects.
The city is currently facing complex challenges related to sustainable urban development, which are particularly evident in spatial planning and the need for effective civic participation in shaping the city's future. We value civic engagement and are actively working to strengthen it through participatory budgeting and structured public consultations, while also fostering mutual trust between local authorities and citizens.
This exchange will enable the transfer of innovation and expertise from our partner city and support shared European objectives in sustainable urban development, spatial planning, and the green transition.
Our Challenge
We are seeking inspiration and proven methods to:
1. Improve the quality of public spaces in line with strategic urban planning goals and climate change adaptation. We aim to transform public areas into multifunctional spaces accessible to all population groups, enhancing quality of life and strengthening community bonds.
Or/And:
2. Strengthen civic engagement and cultivate constructive dialogue between municipal authorities and residents, encourage shared responsibility and joint stewardship of public spaces and the city’s future. Ensure the active involvement of the public throughout the entire project cycle—from idea generation to implementation and maintenance. Support the long-term sustainability of implemented projects.
This city is looking for
We aim to organize an international exchange with a partner city experienced in one or more of the following areas:
- Transforming public spaces into climate-resilient, community-oriented, and functionally integrated urban areas, with active citizen participation. We are looking for inspiration, tools, and experiences to implement such changes with active public participation.
- Integrated approaches to public space planning that balance urban, ecological, social, and cultural aspects while addressing the needs of diverse population groups.
- Experience with participatory planning methods that empower residents to actively contribute to the design process, co-decision making, and project implementation—from concept to maintenance.
- Strategies for cultivating long-term dialogue between local government and the public, including tools for effective communication and trust-building.
- Inspiration for the revitalisation of neglected or underused public areas through community planning, cultural interventions, or ecological restoration.
- Participatory evaluation methodologies that engage both citizens and experts in assessing the quality of public spaces, setting priorities, and proposing improvements.
- Examples of interdisciplinary collaboration among architects, urban planners, social workers, schools, and citizens in defining and designing public space projects.
We are looking for a partnership that will allow for mutual learning and practical exchange.
- Transforming public spaces into climate-resilient, community-oriented, and functionally integrated urban areas, with active citizen participation. We are looking for inspiration, tools, and experiences to implement such changes with active public participation.
- Integrated approaches to public space planning that balance urban, ecological, social, and cultural aspects while addressing the needs of diverse population groups.
- Experience with participatory planning methods that empower residents to actively contribute to the design process, co-decision making, and project implementation—from concept to maintenance.
- Strategies for cultivating long-term dialogue between local government and the public, including tools for effective communication and trust-building.
- Inspiration for the revitalisation of neglected or underused public areas through community planning, cultural interventions, or ecological restoration.
- Participatory evaluation methodologies that engage both citizens and experts in assessing the quality of public spaces, setting priorities, and proposing improvements.
- Examples of interdisciplinary collaboration among architects, urban planners, social workers, schools, and citizens in defining and designing public space projects.
We are looking for a partnership that will allow for mutual learning and practical exchange.
City size
Towns (< 50,000 inhabitants)
Author
Martina Rosova
Czechia
vedoucí oddělení územního plánování MěU Trutnov
Trutnov Municipal Office
