En Mitjons a la Plaça*
Co-created temporary intervention in Plaça de la Generalitat, Marianao, Sant Boi de Llobregat. 1000 children, 1000 wishes adn 1km of light bulbs.
Part of the research project:
Civic placemaking I: design, public space and social cohesion.
*On the Square in Socks
This is a collaborative action that is integrated within the framework of a research project commissioned by the local government of Sant Boi and “la Caixa” Banking Foundation. The project consists in studying the potential of Plaça de la Generalitat square to become the engine for urban regeneration of the Marianao neighbourhood, and in understanding the reasons why this square does not work. The main design strategy aims to propose site-specific actions with potential to reverse the current dynamics, applying the logics of ephemeral architecture practices.
One of the main conclusions of the study is that the neighbours have, in their greatest majority, a negative perception of this space, despite the good conditions of the square to become the central public space of the neighbourhood.
On the Square in Socks is a collaborative action that aims to promote a collective, celebrative and cathartic experience which helps to build a new positive collective imaginary of the place. An act of reappropriation of the public space by the neighbors themselves. The action comprises the Christmas decoration of the square through a network of light garlands made out of socks, each one of which personalized by a resident of the neighbourhood. Almost 1,000 children and adolescents and 24 entities among schools, associations and foundations of the neighbourhood were involved throughout the whole process of the development of the project.
Research team: Dr. Roger Paez, Manuela Valtchanova & Toni Montes, Rodrigo Aguirre
Partners: Fundació Bancària “la Caixa”, Ajuntament de Sant Boi de Llobregat, Equip Comunitari Marianao Té Cor, Fundació Marianao