Experts will teach you how to explore the city
The educational program "How to create new urban projects" starts in Yekaterinburg. It is conducted by the Online School of Urban Entrepreneurs Vector (created on the basis of the Strelka Institute) and the Guild of Builders of the Urals.
The educational program of the project is based on two Vector school online courses - "How to explore the city in creative ways" and "How to create a new urban startup" with the participation of Russian and foreign experts in the field of architecture and urban studies. Students of the course will explore the urban environment in order to find free niches in it, ideas for urban initiatives and develop new projects. The final task is to create multimedia material about the work done, which is public and publicly available.
The training will take place both online and offline. Students will perform many tasks in the city, exploring the territories of pedestrian streets, courtyards, monuments of constructivism, parks, sports grounds and stadiums, the embankment and the main square of Yekaterinburg. During the training, a series of meetings and discussions will take place with the curators of the Vector online school and invited experts.
Those wishing to enroll in the course must fill out a questionnaire by May 10, tell us about yourself and why you want to participate in this project. The organizers will select 25 participants who will study for free (grants for training are provided by the Guild of Builders of the Urals). Everyone else will receive a 15% discount on tuition at Vector School.
The training program lasts for a month - from May 18 to June 18. The best research and projects developed during the course will be published in the media and presented at the international forum 100+ Forumrussia in October 2016.
Dmitry Abramov, Director of Development of the Vector Online School, curator of special projects at the Strelka Institute:
"It's interesting in Yekaterinburg. There is a sense of energy and a desire to develop, which is not present in all cities. Yekaterinburg also has a lot of original and unique things, starting with constructivism, the White Tower, and the phenomenon of Sverdlovsk rock culture, ending with strong street art, craft beer, and well—known advertising agencies. At the same time, there are dead roads, terrible mud, parking lots in central city squares. And you can work with these introductory ones in different ways. You can swear at the mayor's office and complain about the governor. You can write "Gryazburg" at the entrance to the city and escalate the public discussion. You can create a unique street art gallery and involve citizens in interesting projects. It seems to me that it is more correct to move in a constructive and constructive direction, even if only in small steps. This is exactly what we will try to do together with the Ural Builders Guild and 25 Yekaterinburg residents who want to participate in our project. We will study the city, identify residents' requests, look for urban paradoxes and develop new urban projects. I'm sure it will be interesting."
Vera Belous, Executive Director of the Guild of Builders of the Urals:
"Is it possible to change or improve your city - what you used to see every day: the courtyard of your house, signs and buildings on the way to work or school, your favorite park or square, the city embankment ... Usually we don't think about it, getting used to inconvenient routes, not noticing the abandonment and desolation of parks, dilapidated old ones buildings, the unsettled condition of our yards.
Of course, for the most part, taking care of the appearance of the city is considered a matter for the city authorities and professionals – architects, designers, builders. But it's not quite right for each of us to take care of the city and positive changes in our abilities. A project to explore the city with the help of renowned experts is a unique opportunity to offer your own option for improving the city. Let it be a small area of it – a courtyard, stadium, park or street, but we hope that this is only the beginning of the road to the transformation of Yekaterinburg by the residents themselves. We invite those who are not indifferent and enthusiastic to participate in the program, those who love their city and are ready to make efforts to transform it.
It is no coincidence that the Guild of Builders of the Urals became a partner of this project. Builders always stand up for their city. We want the facilities not to be abandoned after they are put into operation, so that the old facilities get a second wind, so that citizens feel comfortable and cozy in every corner of the city, on every street, in every building.
Based on the results of the training, the results of urban research and the best projects are planned to be used in the development of urban improvement programs."
Reference
Vector Online School of Urban Entrepreneurs is a course created by Strelka Institute of Media, Architecture and Design for those who want to explore their city, find ideas for new projects and create them.
They teach an entrepreneurial mindset at school. To take Vector courses, you do not need to have special training and knowledge, the main thing is curiosity and the desire to change your own city for the better. You can study online at any time, take lessons in any order, and most importantly, all the educational materials are available in Russian.
The course "Urban paradoxes: how to explore everyday life" It is dedicated to the skills of urban environment research. The course "How to create a new urban startup" He will teach you how to start your own business and how to connect your own hobbies and urban problems.