Enhancing cultural life and community planning test on Veszprém’s biggest housing estate
About this good practice
Community planning is methodology led by facilitators to formulate a shared vision of the community to work together to plan and deliver better services which make a real difference to people living in the area. This method was introduced as test in Veszprém connected to preparatory works for “EU Capital of Culture 2023 (ECoC)” in 2021 at the “Haszkovó” housing estate at the outskirts of Veszprém, the biggest city district in terms of number of inhabitants. The process is as important as the outcome, allows the members of the community to become involved and to develop a sense of ownership, the opportunity to influence decisions of the neighbourhood developments. The test followed a survey finding that residents of Haszkovo are not too much aware of the quite rich cultural program offer that the city and the region delivers, and community ties are weak. As first step to address the challenge the main cultural centre (called Agora) was replaced from city centre into the middle of the housing estate and they were the main coordinator and organisers of the test project working with trained facilitators (Urban Dialog) with support of the Municipality, the ECoC professionals and volunteers. Parts of the project: needs survey among the residents; exhibition of results in Agora, 18 community planning sessions (6 weeks, in 3 smaller parks, meeting weekly); the main findings were presented form of concrete plans to wider audience. Beneficiaries: residents of the estate.
Resources needed
The total project cost was 35000 EUR, that included the Urban Dialog fee, 2 facilitators, 23 Agora colleagues, the equipment needed for the community planning sessions and the communication, promotion of the actual project and its results.
Evidence of success
It was difficult to involve the Haszkovo residents, but about 180-200 people were open and could be mobilised (from around 20 000 residents of the estate), so, we consider it a success. The infrastructure developments included the “Jutasi running circuit”, the Jutasi community space, one playground and placement some outdoor furniture in the area, these elements are in the site and are hard evidence that it was worth to be part of the process.
Potential for learning or transfer
• The way Veszprém’s leadership reacted to the challenges found in the estate – lack of cultural life, weak community ties - and replaced the biggest cultural centre from the centre to the site can be a good example for the other cities.
• The methodology of community planning is well designed, we have tested it in Veszprém in a peripheric community and it worked. The preparation and overall planning beforehand are important: communication, questionnaires, continuous feedback to the residents through different media: social media, webpage but more traditional form like leaflets to all flats, billboards etc.; patience, listening to everyone and filter the essence of the needs. When the project finished there was a presentation of plans for wider audience at the presence of press and the leaders of the city, it gave appreciation, value, recognition to the Haszkovo estate residents and the works they have done.
Further information
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