Getting everybody on board: building on the collective knowledge for the implementation of urban innovations

Being one of the core NEB principles and an important approach in contemporary urban practices, participation is a crucial element of RELAUNCHTOWIN. It provides opportunities to implement the planned interventions building on collective knowledge thus better responding to the particularities of the local physical, spatial, cultural and social context. The local community and the citizens are in the main focus of the project – it is designed with the understanding that all interventions and activities will be measured and assessed through the lens of the benefits they bring to local people.

Through the renovation of the building, the reconstruction of the local public space and the green areas surrounding both, the city creates a polygon for testing new participatory approaches and tools. The stakeholders, beneficiaries and interested groups identified during the preparatory stage form a wide variety including all generations from children to elderly, the specific groups of migrants, refugees, ethnic minorities, disabled and people with special needs, the specialized clubs for sports, leisure, interests and community centres, diverse businesses from technology, design and construction sectors, local service and retail, and of course the entire local community. While experts and business representatives with direct contribution to the process have specific roles at particular project stages, the participation of the local community and the citizens demands targeted efforts in order to get the people active and to keep their interest through the entire project implementation and most importantly – beyond the project end.

The identified beneficiaries were addressed as early as during the preparatory stage of the project proposal. A public survey among them and the wider audience provided feedback on the proposed activities and the introduction of new functions in the building and the open areas. The results confirmed the need for revitalization of the open areas, the expectations for renovation of the sports hall and demonstrated the positive attitude towards the general aims of the project. A co-design workshop organized by the municipal unit working on the topics related to the young people “Burgas likes youth” and “BG Be active” - the project partner experienced in placemaking and responsible for the participatory activities aimed at outlining the needs and problems of the sports hall and its surroundings and of creating a shared vision for their transformation.

During the first year of RELAUNCHTOWIN the involvement of the stakeholders in the project implementation was aligned with the implementation stages. The wider audience of all citizens and especially the local community from the “Slaveykov” residential complex were addressed by two events – the kick-off event held as a one day urban festival in June and the first community meeting held as a co-design workshop and activity event in September 2024. The first presented the project, informed the audience on the planned activities and construction works, while the latter presented the particular designs of the indoor and outdoor spaces and involved the participants in discussions on the functionality, comfort of use, maintenance, durability, sustainability and the response of the designs to the needs and expectations of the local community.

Both events provided the citizens a direct contact with the city representatives and their project partners in the delivery of the RELAUNCHTOWIN outputs, an opportunity to ask questions and to share thoughts regarding the project and its implementation. Besides the general participants - people of active age, one of the best represented groups were the elderly. This was possible through the support of some local clubs of the retired. Their deep knowledge of the place based on their long-term experience and connection with the neighbourhood provided valuable feedback on the planned interventions and on the opportunities for shared responsibilities on using and maintaining the project outputs. The general impressions shared by the participants were positive regarding the design of the building and its interior. Most of the questions asked considered the risks of vandalism related to the possibility to provide open access to the urban farming area, as well as the demand for water to grow herbs and maintain the greenery – two of the important topics already addressed by the project partners in their solutions.

The city of Burgas has recognized the diverse aspects of the impacts by climate change and urban environment on quality of life and public health. As an important step towards reaching to a wider knowledge and bringing diverse professional perspectives, the city sent an open invitation for all experts in the relevant research and professional areas to join a Local Unit for Resilience and Climate Adaptation. It was established in February 2025 as a thematic advisory board with the aim of supporting all climate-related projects implemented by the city. The unit will provide RELAUNCHTOWIN with expert views and statements on topics regarding minimizing the risks and maximizing the positive effects of the project activities and results on climate and quality of the urban environment.

RELAUNCHTOWIN views participation as a tool for facilitating the sense of attachment and belonging to the neighbourhood among the local community and supporting diversity and accessibility of the public space for everyone. During the first year of project implementation the project partners have taken the first steps on the pathways towards providing the physical spaces for the activities and interventions – the spatial infrastructure for social innovation.

The results from the participatory events so far confirmed the positive attitude of the people towards the project ideas and designs as well as the high expectations towards the implementations. The experience in organizing, holding and evaluating these events outlines the advantages of addressing the wider audience as early as possible, of direct contact in communicating urban projects, of providing activities supporting interaction and of establishing contacts with local citizen organizations.

Building on the collective knowledge demands reaching to diverse participants as this is reflected in the upcoming activities which address specific social groups like children and students, minorities and vulnerable people. The challenges that will be faced in this process are related to the specific needs, communication channels and dialogue enhancing tools, which need to be tailored to each particular group. Furthermore, the project plans measures for protecting participants from vulnerable groups and reducing participation fatigue. Focusing on the future of the area and the city, the next events will address the children and youth – those who are expected to contribute most to the vitality to the reconstructed open spaces.