The Green Cities Forum was held in Brasov, Romania, as part of “Tomorrow” a Horizon 2020 funded project that is aimed at empowering local authorities to lead a transition to low-carbon, resilient, livable cities. Professor Petrescu spoke about the need to involve residents in the management of green areas and how local authorities should facilitate citizen participation in the development of the city’s green space. An interview with Professor Petrescu has been featured on the city’s website.
Professor Petrescu’s research on these issues has been applied in seven “R-Urban” resilience hubs built in France and the UK. R-Urban provides a new model for “co-resilient” regeneration based on networks of civic hubs which is recognised internationally as a model of good practice. Her experience with R-Urban has demonstrated the importance of residents and local authorities in creating productive urban green spaces.
Something we have been working on lately is how to set-up active spaces, not just spaces created by the local authority, but made on residents’ own initiative. The local government must be flexible, and help residents to create these spaces. These green spaces don’t need to be just for leisure and relaxation, they can be more productive spaces, creating ecological, economic and social benefits.
Doina Petrescu
Professor of Architecture and Design Activism
Professor Petrescu’s work is particularly relevant to the upcoming CP26 conference. Professor Petrescu believes that by involving residents in the creation and maintenance of green spaces in their municipalities the result will be much more resilient and sustainable.
Doina Petrescu is Professor of Architecture and Design Activism in the Sheffield School of Architecture at the University of Sheffield. Her research is focused on gender, space and participation in architecture. Her approach broadens the scope of architectural discourse by bringing cultural, social and political issues to bear on the design process, while her methodology combines architectural theory and design, contemporary arts, social sciences, political philosophy and feminist theory.