about project

The idea of the project “Urban interventions” originated in Bratislava in 2007. Matus Vallo and Oliver Sadovsky (Vallo Sadovsky Architects) introduced their idea of civil and occupational initiative: they decided not to wait for an external assignment and turned to some of their colleagues and architectonic ateliers in order to first choose and later design (without financial compensation) the solution of an architectonically problematic public place in the wider center of Bratislava.

Urban interventions is a project which may have many various forms. The main idea is to find certain points, places and situations in our city which do not work properly or which do not present appropriate benefits to citizens. The project should address architects, garden architects, artists, professionals as well as citizens and get them to not only find such places, but also to suggest realistic solutions.

I believe that in urban context, even little changes can have big impact. The project is not supposed to generate profit or fancy promises. It should try to bring changes (!). In this project, manifold interests may overlap: city officials as well as citizens, architects and artists, jolly philosophers or top specialists.

The project aims at realistic and realizable solutions of partial projects which shouldn't be forgotten “on the shelf”, but rather attract the interest of municipal officials and citizens and thus be brought into life. This is the reason why the project has first been consulted with Mr. Richard Rybnicek, the mayor, as the support of the city is crucial. Apart from the mayor, the project is supported by the main city architect, Mr. Martin Bedats and the project manager of “Trenčín si TY” (YOU are Trencin), Ms. Renata Kascakova.

Urban interventions were realized in Bratislava (2008), Prague (2010), Brno (2011), in Kosice (2011) continuing with Cross-urban interventions Kosice-Presov (2012) and are currently in progress in Jablonec nad Nisou.

More information on the above mentioned projects:

Author of photographs: Matej Kukučka