soft city

a comparative RESILIENCE & RESISTANCE RESEARCH project

Respnding to the intensive urban development that is taking place in the post-shipyard (Gdańsk) and post-port areas (Aarhus).

These places have an important social and cultural legacy. These are hubs due to their industrial and political past and the fact that they became a place of work for artists and independent creative ventures. There are many similarities in the challenges faced by the creative communities in both cities.

Artists and independent arts organisations fear that they will be gradually removed from these spaces and in response have found methods to become agents in these decision-making processes.

The soft city project uses cultural tools in interdisciplinary cooperation regarding peer-learning; developing alternative, inclusive visions for spatial transformation of the post-port areas; ensuring the continuity of independent cultural and artistic activities (in the post-port & post-shipyard areas) – in this Polish-Danish partnership. This practice will serve to build the potential of creative communities in Gdańsk and Aarhus in terms of active agency in decision-making processes regarding the development of their cities.

The project is focused on within the topics of sustainability, the green transition and democratic dialogue within urban areas.

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-Gdansk-

soft city

Gdansk

This mapping process engages with re-evaluating the role of some of the defining constructs of the shipyard area in relation to the manifesto, the declaration made by Stocznia Cesarska -

It highlights important decision making processes, such as the buildings seen as worthy of preservation and renovation and those which are not. This sets up a dialectic between the evolving aspects of the existing shipyard. These include, but are not restricted to unprotected views, desire lines, existing green spaces and access to the water’s edge - all of which are constantly being reconfigured by new designs and adaptations. These components make up the look, feel and experience of the landscape and their shifting reality, which we want to highlight here.

Manifesto

The manifesto from Stocznia Cesarska attempts to build upon the legacy of solidarity entangled with the Gdańsk shipyard. This part of the research project explores the meaning within the words used in the manifesto
Ownership by name...

The timeline showcases the long history of naming the shipyard as part of different ownership structures, strategies and countries
Ownership

As the site is sold off, separated and the uses change the ownership and the ownership structure matters in terms of decison making on the site
Value

Comparing user experiences with elements which are valued by processes i.e. protected buildings VS unprotected views or access to the river front VS developements that restrict or prohibit that experience
Moments

Identifying moments which seem to contradict or align with the stated aspirations of the manifesto
MULTIPLE MEANINGS

Exploring the Stocznia Cesarska website for additional meanings associated with the terms first identified in the manifesto