Christina Gotz, Ian Cooper, Krassimira Paskaleva-Shapira

Year of publication: 2015

The authors argue that while urban regeneration and development are closely associated with large-scale rebuilding projects, small-scale projects have the potential to play a role in renewing urban areas.

The term ‘small-scale projects’ describes projects with the following characteristics: projects enacted on the local level of a city district or a neighbourhood and often aimed at enhancing the social and cultural life of local residents. They can be carried out by a variety of local actors such as local institutions, social workers or other engaged individuals and residents. Small-scale projects often result from small-scale investments, but this is not always the case.

The article makes the case for reactivating the socio-cultural dimension of renewal, exploring two examples of this, a funding programme for small-scale projects (Socially Integrative City) and an EU Project for Reinforcing Feelings of Identity, Culture and Social Cohesion (ReNewTown). Three small-scale project case studies from East Germany are reviewed to assess the impact they had on urban regeneration, including A Place for the Marie, Kunstplatte and the Tower Block of Culture. They conclude that the main resource for these projects were the inhabitants, with the participation, motivation and engagement of residents keeping projects alive.

Content type: Placemaking

Tags: journal article

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