Urban Planning for Social Resilience –
Learn to Build Impact from the Ground Up

Urban Planning for Social Resilience – Learn to Build Impact from the Ground Up

Miesto Laboratorija (City Lab)

Timeline: N.A.

The “Miesto Laboratorija” (City Lab) project in Vilnius transformed an underused building into a multifunctional hub.

About The Case Study

The “Miesto Laboratorija” (City Lab) project was initiated to address the lack of community spaces in Antakalnis district (Vilnius), transforming an underutilized building into a multifunctional hub. Created by a grassroots team, the initiative sought to foster community engagement and environmental sustainability. Key challenges included urban decay, social isolation, and bureaucratic barriers, which were addressed through participatory solutions.

The project encouraged civic involvement through hands-on activities such as furniture repair, gardening, and cultural events. Residents were drawn in through direct invitations, interactive workshops, and social gatherings, fostering a sense of ownership over the space. Efforts to engage different demographics saw success with young families and seniors, though engaging teenagers remained a challenge.

Addressed Challenges:

Social and cultural resilience

Types of Civic Engagement:

Volunteer and community service projects

Level of Civic Participation:

Collaborating, Empowering, Informing, Involving

Main Stakeholders Involved:

Community members, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Funding Sources:

Hybrid Funding