Finale of the exhibition Grow Space 2012-2015

The last opportunity to view the exhibition on three years of the Pěstuj prostor program and other projects related to architecture and public space overseen by the Pěstuj prostor association will be available to the citizens of Plzeň on Wednesday, November 11. From 6 PM, a closing event with a guided tour will take place in Smetanovy sady in front of the Studijní a vědecká knihovna Plzeňského kraje.

The Pěstuj prostor project is a set of interconnected activities aimed at involving the public in caring for the development of public space and the city, and increasing awareness in the fields of architecture, urbanism, and art. Most of the activities presented on the exhibition panels were created within the framework of the Plzeň – European Capital of Culture 2015 project. With regard to long-term sustainability, the independent association Pěstuj prostor, z. s., was established in 2014, under which these projects were transferred.

“During our three years of existence, we have managed, in collaboration with city organizations, non-profit initiatives, and independent experts, to realize more than a hundred educational and community implementation events, transform several neglected places in Plzeň, create unconventional online and printed guides to Plzeň's architecture and public space, and engage hundreds of citizens through the Open Call and volunteer activities. Our path is not only to critically point out problems but to seek viable solutions and strengthen constructive cooperation among the public, experts, and local government. Together, we strive to achieve as many positive changes as possible,” says the chairman of the Pěstuj prostor association, Marek Sivák.

Among the most significant projects is the Open Call for Pěstuj prostor, through which citizens provide suggestions on how to improve the public space in Plzeň. Some selected ideas are realized with grant support directly by their authors or by the Pěstuj prostor association, while others serve as inspiration for city organizations and other institutions. The largest project arising from this call is the renovation of the Municipal Swimming Pool on the River Radbuza, which involved, alongside the authors of the suggestion from the initiative Maják Plzně, architects from MAK! and architecture students from the FA ČVUT, local and foreign volunteers. Another flagship project of the association is the Plzeň Architectural Manual, a scientifically popularizing project mapping the architecture of the city from 1914 to 1950. The exhibition also presents projects such as the Green Map of Plzeň, the Creative Democratic School: Pěstuj prostor, and participatory projects implemented in collaboration with city districts.

You can also view the exhibition online.

A week later, on Wednesday, November 18 at 6 PM, the authors of the winning projects from this year's Open Call grant category will present the results of their several months of efforts at the DEPO2015 café. After the presentations, inspired by the brisk format of 20 slides in 20 seconds, there will be a seminar for those interested in participating in the Open Call 2016.

More information about this event can be found here.