A collective aspect of urban space
Trade has always represented one of the oldest forms of collective urban activity.
Exchange of goods´ activity, whether tangible or intangible, generates a new connective element that transforms the space of the city. The evolution of market´s rules required, over the centuries, new spatial forms in order to support the ongoing economic changes.
It is proved that, the development of a human community is not only determined by the concentration of population or production of goods, but on the ability of the selected place to host a secure and rich commercial activity: cities were born generally, where it was easier to carry out such activities exchange.
"Saxogade in Copenhagen -Vesterbro - is an innovative urban city project driven by Settlementet . Thanks to 150 volunteers and 40 employees, and about 1500 citizens, Saxogade is today a social shopping street where all the shops combines an economic, a social and a green bottom line."
Trade, as economic infrastructure essential for the city, has been shown to play an active role in building collective aspect of urban space. The evolution of organisational forms and typologies often coincided with the transformation of urban life.
In the old city, spontaneously occupied spaces within the urban fabric and it represents an important apparatus for social, cultural and political life. We are thus witnessing the construction of spaces “carefully crafted” for the transaction and the exchange of goods.
TRADE as the engine of urban culture
In ancient Greece the Agora´ is both the economic and the commercial reference. It represents the new democratic city center, the heart of the developing society, no longer protected by god, but by all men. It become the vibrant part of the city, religious and political center of the polis, with its marketplace, place of political debates and ceremonies.
"At one time, civic institutions and the spaces around them were some of the most vital places in cities. Courthouses were built next to public markets because the marketplace was where members of the community came together regularly – to conduct business, settle disagreements and socialise." Cynthia Nikitin
We live in the Era of subjectivity, lack of physical social interaction where goods and economy has already moved from material to immaterial production. The idea of civic engagement, we have learnt from the history is starting to fall out due wrong priorities like bureaucracy, security and funding.
In this scenario, urban design has to be translated in a holistic and creative approach, considering the all physical and nonphysical surround. A new institution or public open space has to be included in a big picture, considering users, identity and economic infrastructure as a new definition of the term “sustainable”.
So that, all the parts have to work together to develop a flexible scenario that can adapt itself for years to come.
Saxogade is an amazing example of place making, where local residents create and contribute to the betterment of their community’s public spaces, activating a powerful micro economy and social engagement.
Saxogade, as a physical - economic infrastructure, is an important part of a neighbourhood revitalisation, that include several public institution as a civic anchors and the vibrant Litauens plads. The alchemy of those elements creates a powerful urban and cultural catalysts, developing new audiences, attractions and ideas for how the spaces around them can be used.
Can a new forms of architecture of commerce generate an urban catalyst in the local/regional area that involves the community with a mix of civic and cultural functions and bring people of diverse social, economic and cultural groups into close proximity, so that creates the potential for a colorfull and intense social scene ?
Comments