Contrei Live
About this good practice
In 2018, Leiedal and local and supraregional partners launched Contrei, a spatial vision for the region addressing territorial challenges regarding open space, core reinforcement, water systems, climate, energy, heritage ... Vision documents are often abstract and high level, while public comprehension and dialogue are crucial for engagement.
To make this vision, and more specific the role and importance of water, more accessible, Leiedal organized from 9/7/2020 to 26/10/20202 an art trail on and off the water throughout the region’s 13 towns and cities. The art route translated the spatial vision into engaging artistic expressions, highlighting water as a precious resource, climate change challenges and sustainable water management. The route encouraged residents and visitors to learn more about and discuss these themes through land art, landscape architecture, sound art, and kinetic installations. Due to covid we had to limit extra events but online we generated feedback and discussions, also long after the project has ended.
After an open call for made-to-measure interventions on suggested locations in February 2019, 16 (inter)national artists were selected. Educational packages, cycling maps and a game created by students of Howest further engaged the community in re-embracing water-related locations. Contrei Live offered a wide range of CCI-actors opportunities to grow and assert themselves, as well as to highlight their importance in contributing to the public debate.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
The overall cost for the international art trail was about 900.000 euro (artist fees, production, communication, staff …).
Evidence of success
Contrei Live shows that CCI is an ally to translate policy documents to understandable insights for a large public.
16 artworks (out of 211 candidates from all over the world)
3 cycling routes
15 walking paths
Large collaboration in the region
> 166.000 visitors – 500-700 visitors/weekend/location
16.000 bike maps
> 2500 Facebook follows
Feedback horeca, campings… = many visitors from elsewhere coming specifically for Contrei Live
National press coverage
Potential for learning or transfer
Contrei Live is an interesting project because it shows that the CCI can be used as partner, as a tool, to transfer abstract policy documents to understandable and concrete cases and insights for a large public. In this case CCI isn’t seen as a mere executor of an idea/vision/project… of another but as an ally to develop something together and to really realise a win win.
This type of project is also easy to combine with other policy ambitions. In that way it is easy to find synergies which makes the implementation of it much easier. In Contrei live we made & found synergies:
- Art route & tourism
- Art route & bike sharing
- Discovering region & learning about future development
This project is easily tranferrable.
- The idea is not dependent of legislation
- It can be tailor made for each region
The ambition level is scalable as are the necessary resources.
Further information
Contrei Live
Images
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
