Eurasia Regional Section of the World organization "United Cities and Local Governments"
Eurasia Regional Section of the World organization "United Cities and Local Governments"
The Technical Committee of the Guangzhou Award has presented the list of cities whose projects were especially recognized by the international expert jury. The Krasnoyarsk project “Square Svetly” as a space that promotes open communication between residents of all social categories, including people with disabilities, is among the best along with projects of such cities as Barcelona, Berlin, Dubai, Shanghai and others.
The Guangzhou Award is held for the sixth time to support urban innovation. In 2023, 274 projects have been submitted to the international jury. A total of 193 cities from 54 countries have participated in the contest.
“Square Svetly is a place of attraction for all residents, a unique public space. The interest in its development from the international expert community confirms that Krasnoyarsk is on the right track in terms of landscaping. We will continue to form spaces for open communication, we will study the experience of other cities to implement successful international practices”, Mayor of Krasnoyarsk Vladislav Loginov said.
Let us remind that the sensory Square Svetly is a fully inclusive public space created in Krasnoyarsk in 2022 next to the Krasnoyarsk Regional Special Library, a center for socio-cultural rehabilitation of visually impaired people. In addition to artificial navigation for the visually impaired, the Square offers “green” landmarks (trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants) with appropriate tactile, noise and aromatic properties that are easily picked up by sensory system of a visually impaired people person.
The highlight of the project is an inclusive socio-cultural program that provides support and implementation of initiatives of visually impaired residents. For example, the “Eyes Rest” quest, a unique adventure created specifically to help people feel and understand the world as visually impaired people see it.
There are projects that are actively supported by citizens of the district and in which visually impaired people willingly become participants: the project “From Seeds to Seeds” (a social project on growing plants, starting from sowing seeds to seedlings and ending with harvesting), a project on the Square maintenance (watering, weeding).
The functions of the Square will be expanded in the future. The authorities will try to organize play areas for children with autism and systematic training of visually impaired people in the use of walking stick, as well as training sessions for the club of guide dog owners “Tail Navigator”. One of the important areas of activity is to develop among children from disadvantaged families a careful attitude to public spaces through joint activities to care for the Square.
The Krasnoyarsk project has received international recognition not only as part of the Guangzhou Award. Alena Parfenova, Project Manager of the sensory “Square Svetly”, Director of the Center for Social Communication “World Without Borders”, presented the Krasnoyarsk initiative at the United Cities Forum held in Kazan within the framework of the international forum “ROSTKI: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” last week.
Reference: the Guangzhou Award is organized by the city of Guangzhou (China), the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis) and the World Organization “United Cities and Local Governments”. It aims to recognize innovation in improving social, economic and environmental sustainability and good urban governance, thereby enhancing the well-being and quality of life of residents. The Award is presented every two years.
The photos and material: http://www.admkrsk.ru/Pages/default.aspx
29.09.2023
