Information


The GAUDI programme is supported by the Culture 2000 programme of the European Union.

A4: Database on public spaces

Objective

Public spaces in European cities together make up a fundamental cultural heritage. After a long period of neglect, safeguard-oriented actions, improvement and enhancement of these spaces have all increased substantially in recent years. It is vital that these different actions be highlighted and brought to the awareness of the public. The database on urban public spaces in Europe will foster the knowledge of this cultural heritage and of the policies implemented for its improvement, in order to guarantee protection and transformation.

Nature of the action

Selection of the interventions which together will shape the database will be based of the CCCB’s experience. A working group will gather information on operations for the improvement of public space in European cities and will then analyse and structure this information. This work can draw upon the capacity of the European Prize for Urban Public Space, which is awarded every two years. In 2002 it will be awarded by the CCCB in Barcelona, the Netherlands Architecture Institute in Rotterdam, The Architecture Foundation in London and the Architektur Zentrum Wien in Vienna and the Institut français d'architecture in Paris. This prize heralds a substantial number of important achievements from all around Europe and it also makes it possible to identify each of the projects which could be considered for the prize. It allows for the expression of qualified opinions on those which will not be considered for the prize, but which can nonetheless be submitted for inclusion in the database.

As the database will be used by people from different professions, it will have to offer different categories of completed projects, as well as, different levels of information. Thus, two categories of data files must be created:

The first category includes all levels of information : author, developer, situation, before and after photographs, a complete photographic description of the entire operation ; different scale plans ; construction companies involved ; cost of project, etc. Furthermore, there will be a text written by the CCCB team explaining the intentions and the results.
The second category only includes some of the levels of information : author, developer, situation, before and after photographs and a brief photographic description of the operation.
Every year the database is enriched with 50 first level operations and 150 second level operations.

Proposed audience

Urban projects which seek to improve public space in Europe concern a very broad and diverse public. Urban interventions have an impact on the use of cultural heritage, the creation of a proper climate for architectural heritage, as well as, the initiatives undertaken by cities and their political representatives. Participants also include the businesses involved in the operations, those located in and nearby the public spaces, and of course the quality of life of the citizens. As there are many different interested parties it is clear that different levels of information must be made available to the general public, professionals, companies and town council members. Therefore, the database must be both understandable for the general public and useful for those playing a direct role in this sort of project.

Products – expected results

The justification for such a database lies first of all in the identification and the inventory important public spaces in Europe on the basis of predefined criteria. A catalogue of good practice leading to information at different levels and also via different levels of media and materials (exhibits, publications, video, CD-Rom) is therefore conceivable.

However, beyond simple identification and inventorying, critical and comparative analysis, as well as, the comparison of different completed urban projects can serve as a resource to enrich procedures and practices for the enhancement and improvement of public spaces in Europe. This work will concern different professions, i.e. institutions responsible for the dissemination of architecture and urban interests, as well as, officials and authorities who consult with professionals in their roles as policy-makers. A link should be created between this work on urban public spaces in Europe and the Club of leaders (see project B2) who take an interest in the standards of architectural and urban projects in Europe.

Distribution

As the potential users of the database can be manifold, dissemination must be as wide as possible and at the same time, have a crucial and exponential effect by generating further demand for new improvements and projects concerning urban spaces. The database will be directly accessible to the public within the CCCB (along with other paper-based and materials) as well as via the web-site of GAUDI.

Calendar

Year 1
Development of the analysis method and of visual/graphic standards, in relationship with the European prize.

Year 2
Method's testing on a first collection of urban projects

Year 3
Gradual on-line phasing in of the database

Project Leader:

Judit Carrera / CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona), Spain

Members of the steering committee:

AZW (Architektur Zentrum Wien), Austria
IFA (Institut Français d'Architecture), France
NAI (Nederlands Architektuurinstitute), Netherlands
The Architecture Foundation, United Kingdom

Projects fields

Overview - What is GAUDI?

A: Research, memory and project

A1: Identify and interpret innovative housing in Europe
A2: Merge and develop archival collections on architecture and urban development
A3: Workshops for young professionals
A4: Database on public spaces

B: Education and dissemination to the general public

B1: Citizen participation in urban development projects
B2: Club of Leaders committed to Architecture
B3: European Festival for Architecture

C: Strengthen the network of European institutions

C1: Create and develop a joint web site
C2: Coordination of the agreement