Panevėžys

Urban Living Lab – Panevėžys

The Urban Living Lab is placed in Panevėžys, the fifth biggest town located in the north of Lithuania. Panevėžys is known for its industrial past and vibrant cultural life. The main location of the Urban Living Lab is “Pragiedruliai,” a recently opened centre of culture and open-minded creativity in Panevėžys. The space is a community-oriented creative hub and a community space that hosts numerous art residencies, workshops, performances, and exhibitions. This place has become the main meeting point for the youth involved in the TRUSTMAKING project.

The “Pragiedruliai” cultural hub is located in Skaistakalnis Park. It is the oldest park in Panevėžys, and its territory dates to pagan times. The uniqueness of Skaistakalnis park is due to the change in its culture during different historical periods (from the time of paganism when it was a sacred place to the meeting place of criminal groups in the 1990s), and it is therefore characterized by a multifaceted and contradictory identity. The users of Skaistakalnis park are very diverse. First and foremost, the park is used by the inhabitants and visitors of Panevėžys as a recreational space. The neighbourhood is also home to various businesses, organizations, and associations, and the park is adjacent to residential areas and the industrial area of the city. Interestingly, the park itself has a previously fenced industrial area where various businesses and organizations operate.

During the year in which the Urban Living Lab will take place, the youth will explore and generate ideas not only for Skaistakalnis park, but also for other green spaces in the city. After looking at the Skaistakalnis park the youth involved in the Trustmaking project has already found that the green space could be more suitable for their needs and interests. These spaces have been mapped during the co-research phase of the project and will host numerous exploratory and creative activities starting this fall.

Partners

The Urban Living Lab in Panevėžys is organized by the “Critical+Xwhy” agency, Kaunas University of Technology, Panevėžys city municipality, and the union of local youth organizations “Apskritasis stalas.”