Local Living Lab in Portugal: Building Urban Communities for the Future
Last May, our partners in Portugal conducted a three-part Local Living Lab, held on May 11, 18, and 25. This collaborative space tackled one of the most pressing questions in urban regeneration projects: What happens to communities and spaces once a project with time-limited funding ends? How can lasting impact be ensured? And how can communities continue the positive changes?
With 13 participants, including residents, neighbors, students, and local stakeholders, the lab focused on sharing common tools and methodologies. Yet, beyond this, the main goal was to activate and create a group of current and future “urban community builders” — individuals committed to envisioning, designing, and claiming their rights to public spaces and their cities. We aim to empower communities to organize autonomously, ensuring the outcomes of urban regeneration initiatives endure and continue to evolve.
Key Challenges and Reflections
Throughout the three sessions, participants addressed several key challenges:
- Becoming urban community builders: How an informal group of residents and local actors can transform into an active community with a real impact on their surroundings.
- Identity of common spaces: Reflecting on what defines a public space, what unites the community around it, and how it can be enhanced.
- Participatory interventions in public space: Exploring ways for communities to intervene in and improve their own neighborhoods.
- Collective organization: Considering what legal or non-legal structures are best suited for community organization and what resources may be available.
- Participation tools and partnerships: Delving into the tools available for public participation in urban regeneration processes and ensuring sustainable funding sources.
A Project that Goes Beyond its Timeline
This Local Living Lab represents a crucial step toward building sustainable, active urban communities. By facilitating shared learning of tools and methodologies, we are creating networks of collaboration and empowering residents to become protagonists in transforming their own spaces.
We hope the results of this process inspire other cities and communities to continue reclaiming their rights to urban spaces and promoting positive, long-lasting change.
Find more information here.
