Waking up the sleeping giants? The mission of URBACT 2nd Chance Network

In his blog, Dr. Cian O’Callaghan of Maynooth University notes that In April 2015, Dublin City Council estimated a total of 61 hectares of vacant or derelict space within its boundaries, and that in the period since the crash a range of policy and bottom-up actions have been rolled out that seek to implement innovative strategies to activate and reuse vacant spaces for new purposes.  Indeed, the crash of 2007/2008 was to see the landscape of our cities and towns blighted by empty industrial estates, retail parks and office blocks, and high vacancy in housing developments including the emergency of ghost estates often only part-finished.  And for many communities and local municipalities, the question remains what to do with these empty or under-used structures? Or, as they are referred to by the URBACT 2nd Chance Network, ‘sleeping giants’?

As noted by Ivan Tosics in this article, the reactivation and reuse of vacant buildings provide a unique opportunity for sustainable urban development.  These spaces could become centres of much needed local services – social, economic, cultural, etc.  As is being demonstrated by the URBACT 2nd Chance Network, this can be done in such a way that the needs of both the property owner/developer and the wider community are met.  But it requires the commitment and engagement of all key stakeholders in the process – including local government.  And as noted in the Pact of Amsterdam adopted this week – paving the way for an EU Urban Agenda – such urban solutions “have the potential to lead to wider territorial benefits” (p.6).  The reactivation of one space can be the catalyst for the wider regeneration and revitalisation of a neighbourhood and city.

An article worth a read!

http://urbact.eu/waking-sleeping-giants-mission-urbact-2nd-chance-network