The first meeting of Krakow's URBAN FORUM, an interdisciplinary, open platform for discussion and exchange of experiences for sustainable urban development, which is the fruit of the Pact for Space, will take place on June 25. The theme of the event will be economic and spatial development of the city in the face of housing issues.
The first signatories of the Pact for Krakow's Space
Photo: Piotr Malec | © Open Eyes Economy Summit
On November 23, 2023, during the Prologue of the Open Eyes Economy Summit, the Pact for Krakow's Space was inaugurated — a unique initiative whose overarching goal is to consolidate various communities across divisions and to care jointly for urban space. Signed by, among others, Aleksander Miszalski, mayor of Krakow, and the city's vice mayor, Professor Stanislaw Mazur, the document is not just a declaration, but an impulse for real action and real change (the full list of signatories is available here: Pact for Krakow Space). The first of these is the inauguration of the URBAN FORUM — one of the points of the Pact, a decalogue of spaces to support the creation of a healthy, friendly and inclusive city.
According to the Pact for Space, URBAN FORUM is intended to be a platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices on urban planning, spatial planning, sustainable development and quality of life in the city.
We want to leverage values and affiliations through the participation of experts and residents in design processes — the document's initiators declared.
Involving a variety of stakeholders, including representatives of public administration, academics, urban planners, architects, urban researchers, activists, developers, as well as NGOs and local communities, the first URBAN FORUM will kick off this Tuesday, June 25 at 4 pm at the iconic Klub pod Jaszczurami in Krakow (Rynek Główny 8). The topic of the meeting is economic and spatial development of the city versus housing issues.
Planning management requires an integrated approach that involves all stakeholders, including, most importantly, city residents. The economic and spatial development of a city is closely linked to housing. Sustainable development requires addressing housing needs to ensure the availability of affordable housing, which in turn promotes economic and social stability — URBAN FORUM organizers emphasize. — An effective housing policy and integrated urban planning are key to achieving harmonious development in Krakow — they add.
The balance between dynamic urban development, environmental protection and concern for the quality of life of residents should be based on three pillars — authorities actively participating in the planning process, communities listened to during consultations and committed developers.
The meeting will be moderated by Małgorzata Tomczak, editor-in-chief of A&B, initiator and co-author of Pact for Space, who is currently conducting research on the development of contemporary Krakow.
Lukasz Kumecki from Tytano Foundation, which deals with the revitalization of unused spaces and restoring them to use by local communities, will talk about releasing social energy by activating the local community in planning the functionality of new places.
Wojciech Kotecki, architect and urban planner, co-owner of Warsaw-based BBGK Architekci studio, will introduce effective spatial planning tools, while Bartłomiej Kisielewski, architect, partner at Horizone Studio, co-author of the Pact for Space and member of the PLGBC Polish Green Building Council Advisory Board, will answer the question, what do we mean when we talk about good space?
In turn, Tomasz Dabrowski of MGDF, who for nearly 20 years has been advising companies and local government units on the selection of tools, while helping in the comprehensive implementation of the investment process, will talk about financial models and instruments for investments in the city.
The debate will be summarized by Prof. Stanislaw Mazur, 1st Deputy Mayor of the City of Krakow, initiator and member of the Better Krakow Association, which aims to develop new solutions for public policies in the city.
Participation in the event is free of charge. The meeting is organized by Architektura & Biznes, Tytano Foundation and Klub Pod Jaszczurami.
