HeritACT wrapping up first year: here’s what happened this 2023
From the kick-off in early 2023, HeritACT has embarked on a journey, not just to contribute to cultural heritage but to reimagine it through contemporary design and community engagement.
At the heart of HeritACT lies a commitment to the New European Bauhaus initiative. This connection is more than symbolic; it's a guideline that constantly shapes its mission. Celebrating achievements became real as the project acknowledged the successes within the broader European cultural framework, notably the New European Bauhaus Prize winners where Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) and the University College Dublin are among the awardees for their projects Tova and Ripple, respectively.
We also had a very entertaining autumn with lots of events happening. In Italy, the Milan Pilot has kicked off with an event hosted by Comune di Milano, LAND, Stefano Boeri Architetti, and THINGS at mosso, managed by La Fabbrica di Olinda. This gathering emphasized the beginning of a network of local stakeholders around two pilot sites already functional and very vibrant, Cascina Linterno and Cascina Sant’Ambrogio. The event was a peer to peer exchange and highlighted the project's commitment to multidisciplinarity and collaboration, paving the way for a more sustainable, creative, and inclusive lifestyle.
The University of the Aegean made its mark at the 2nd Scientific Conference on Participatory Design, titled "Transforming the City," held on October 20-22, 2023, in Elefsina. This conference became a hub for diverse stakeholders in participatory development, where the #SMOTIES Project’s ‘Syros island initiative’ was highlighted. The initiative aims to revitalize secluded public areas into sustainable community spaces.
Also in Greece, the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture presented the outcomes of the Pupil Conference. This unique initiative saw children from various countries propose visions for their ideal city, emphasizing a transition to a climate-neutral future.
In Ireland, the University College Dublin team organised the Geodesign Workshop on December 7th at the newly created #HeritHUB in Ballina. This event focused on collaboratively creating climate-oriented design actions and assessing their impact on carbon emissions. Also, it aimed at engaging stakeholders in the Irish pilot, the workshop with the participation of Mayo County Council, Masters students in Architecture, and various stakeholders. They employed geodesign methods and geospatial modeling to devise strategies for the Moy Catchment Area, signaling a proactive approach to tackling climate change.
The Architecture at the Edge Festival, featured participation from Mayo County Council, University College Dublin, and Accelerating Change Together. The theme of this edition was Re-Mapping, focusing on the relationship between built form and the landscape. The festival showcased the #Ripple Paradise Garden Tour, the New European Bauhaus Award recipient, alongside nature-based solutions at the Moy Catchment Area Geodesign Project and the GreenRoofCraft Workshop, supported by HeritACT.
HeritACT's presence was also felt at the European Culture & Creativity Days session in Barcelona, attended by Ideas for Change. This event was crucial for aligning EU policy with innovative projects in AV, AI, AR, VR, Design, and more. It also offered a space to explore the future of heritage, resonating with the objectives of HeritACT and the New European Bauhaus.
In conclusion, HeritACT's journey through 2023 shows the path and the huge power of collaborative efforts in redefining cultural heritage. It stands how tradition and innovation can coexist, creating a future where heritage is not just preserved but is also a living, evolving entity that helps us enhance better human lives.
