Co-Create Your City: Democracy and citizen-led urban initiatives
Exhibition
Apr 16 - Jul 5, 2015
Politiken
The exhibition Co-Create Your City at the Danish Architecture Center in 2015 focused on democracy in architecture and urban development through citizen-led initiatives, as part of Denmark’s 2015 constitutional anniversary context.
In Denmark, we can influence the development of our cities in many ways. We can participate in hearings, take part in debates, and our ideas can become reality with the support of others. These possibilities are available to us because we live in a democracy, based on a strong sense of community, where we make decisions together. The question is – do we take advantage of these opportunities?
This right to form our cities is something special. It is a product of a political development, but also the result of idealists all through history having challenged what and how a city could and should be. Regular citizens have come up with good ideas, gained support and fought for a better city – even when it was not formally possible. And not out of a sense of duty, but because they simply could not help themselves. They want to make something of their city, and they would like us to be a part of that journey.
The common initiative ranges from shorter, volatile activities to lasting transformations of the city. Just one kilometer from here, you will find Havneparken – the harbour park – in the city’s Islands Brygge neighbourhood. This park by the water is the result of the efforts of local inhabitants who were tired of polluted air and industry in-between their homes and the waterfront. These days, the area is one of the most popular places to hang out in Copenhagen, and the image of happy people jumping into the harbour has become iconic for the Danish capital, its values and assets.
No matter what we do, we influence our cities. And we can do it to a smaller or larger degree. Throughout this exhibition, the visitors were able to meet some of the citizens who have made a difference in the cities. They could hear them tell the story of how they came up with their ideas, who helped them along the way, and how our cities have benefitted from it.
Exhibition, debates, tours, and workshops
Co-Create Your City was much more than an architecture exhibition. Throughout the exhibition period, we opened our doors to events, debates, and workshops inside the exhibition, and we invited visitors to take part in guided tours and activities across the city.
Exhibitions Today
See Our Current Exhibitions
What was Co-Create Your City?
Co-Create Your City was an exhibition and event series at the Danish Architecture Center about people and civic engagement shaping the city, focusing on democracy in architecture and urban development.
When did the exhibition take place?
The exhibition ran from 16 Apr to 5 Jul 2015.
What was the 2015 context?
In 2015, Denmark marked the 100-year anniversary of a constitutional revision, and DAC contributed by highlighting traditions of community, participation and citizen-led initiatives in the built environment.
Which trends and terms did the exhibition address?
The exhibition mentioned citizen involvement, bottom-up processes, civic engagement, urban activism and civil society activity as important trends in local communities and municipal processes.
What was the “arena” within the exhibition?
One exhibition space was a large arena where DAC invited external organisations to host debates and events throughout the exhibition period, making the exhibition lively and changeable.
What should I know if I only read one thing?
Co-Create Your City (16 Apr–5 Jul 2015) highlighted how citizen-led initiatives and participation can shape urban development as a democratic practice.