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

Victoria Square Project

The Victoria Square Project (2017–2023), founded by artists Rick Lowe and Maria Papadimitriou during documenta 14, was a community “social sculpture” in central Athens that transformed a repurposed storefront into a hub for intercultural dialogue, offering free workshops, art, and classes for local residents, migrants, and refugees. It showed how art can revitalize urban public spaces and strengthen civic engagement.

About The Case Study

The Victoria Square Project (VSP) is a cultural initiative that’s all about community, nestled in the heart of central Athens’ Victoria Square. Launched in 2017 by artists Rick Lowe and Maria Papadimitriou during documenta 14, VSP has developed into a lively social sculpture (as its creators call it) – a living piece of art that encourages intercultural dialogue and brings people together through creative expression.

Located at 13 Elpidos Street, this project breathes new life into a repurposed storefront in a neighborhood that has faced its share of challenges. It acted as a welcoming space for local residents, including migrants and refugees, offering a range of free, engaging activities like workshops, dance classes, art exhibitions, language lessons, and cultural events. These programs are designed to empower individuals, foster social connections, taking into account the rich tapestry of cultures in the area.

VSP believes in the transformative potential of art within urban environments, turning empty spaces into bustling hubs of creativity and community spirit. By teaming up with local businesses, institutions, and artists, the project played a crucial role in rethinking what public spaces and civic engagement can look like. In 2023, after 6 years, the project concluded.

Topics:

Community Hubs & Cultural Activities
Urban Regeneration & Rehabilitation

Resilience Challenges:

Social and cultural resilience

Type of Civic Engagement Supporting Neighborhood Resilience:

Art- and culture-based civic engagement
Long-term, more institutionalized engagement
Short-term, more flexible project-based engagement
Volunteer and community service projects

Level of Civic Participation:

Collaboration or co-operation
Empowerment or co-production
Involvement or participation

Stakeholders Involved:

Academic and research institutions
Community members
Local Government
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Private Sector