Pupils and students presented their ideas to enhance Braşov’s historic centre
In July 2024, a group of 15 pupils and students took part in the HUB-IN Summer School and its mentoring programme, The City as Classroom, to rethink the public space of Braşov’s historic centre.
This innovative educational programme was guided by HUB-IN mentors, BAAB architects Alexandru Belenyi and Irina Niculescu. Participants attended working sessions on topics related to the historical and cultural heritage of Braşov, urban regeneration, public and architectural lighting, architectural history, entrepreneurship, innovation, and civic involvement. The practical module of the HUB-IN Summer School took place in selected locations, where participants had the opportunity to put into practice the tactical urbanism and urban design solutions identified in the research phases. Teams took the design kits and worked in situ to build and test several urban furniture prototypes, encouraging passers-by to try the prototypes and documenting the various interactions in search of the best regeneration solutions, adapted to the specifics of Braşov’s historic centre.
“The process of learning is followed by the process of building the HUB-IN urban furniture prototypes. It is iterative, based on a series of short design exercises, realised directly in situ, at a 1:1 scale. Young participants were persevering, curious and courageous; they put their ideas into practice and proposed various solutions to improve the public space, making it more welcoming for those who visit or pass by, as well as for residents” – Raluca Manolache, ABMEE Project Assistant.
From theory to practise
This exciting week of workshops and lessons culminated in the presentation of participants’ ideas during the closing ceremony at the Apollonia Cultural Centre. In front of a jury composed of mentors, architects, hospitality representatives, and project partners, the three teams showcased, in well-documented and argued images, the urban regeneration solutions identified in the three selected areas.
The regeneration of Braşov has started!
Find out more about the Brașov’s HUB-IN here!
