How to engage the public in an innovative way to participate in planning public space?

This was the main theme of the workshop co-organized by CUETP and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy as part of the “Peer2Peer Community on Citizen Participation” initiative. The meeting took place online on October 17, 2023.

The REGIO Peer2Peer community particularly focuses on the issue of social participation. This time the discussion focused on organizing research walks and a citizens’ panel as innovative methods of building social participation. Moreover, the topic of diagnosing the current role of social participation in the area of infrastructure investments, financed primarily under cohesion policy, and actions aimed at increasing it was also discussed.

Speeches inspiring discussion were given by:

• Karolina Ptaszyńska – Head of the Analysis and Partnership Projects Unit at CEUTP.
• Ewa Paderewska – Head of the Environmental Protection Unit at CEUTP.
• Magdalena Jochemczyk, Department of Communication and Transport, GZM.
• Wojciech Lesiak – architect, urban space designer.
• Ione Ardaiz – Project Manager at Arantzazulab, Spain.

1. Karolina Ptaszyńska and Ewa Paderewska presented CEUTP’s involvement in building a culture of social participation, including participation in two pilot projects implemented with the support of the OECD.
2. Magdalena Jochemczyk and Wojtek Lesiak discussed the project implemented jointly with OECD and CEUTP regarding the implementation of innovative methods of social participation, and in particular issues related to the organization of research walks for residents in order to examine their needs related to the organization of space around selected railway stops. The results of the report on these walks and good practices in this area were also presented.
3. Then, Ms. Ione Ardaiz Osacar discussed examples and problems of organizing a citizens’ assembly based on the example of activities in Spain.

During the discussions, the importance of building a participatory culture among investors and residents was emphasized. Innovative methods of engaging the public, going beyond the established framework of informing and collecting comments from interested residents, are particularly useful.

Another community meeting planned for next year.