The research conducted at Urban Gorillas is centered on the analysis of the use, access and revitalization of public spaces in Cyprus. It is based on a wide range of research approaches: A nation-wide survey, on-site observations, interviews, focus groups and behavioural mapping methods were applied in order to carry out empirical research. Research so far reveals that public spaces in Cyprus are currently underused and under-utilised, thus preparing the ground for new and innovative methods of public space designs. Through the study of the Green Urban Lab (GUL) events that took place in Cyprus in 2015, the research exposes the positive social impacts that can be gained through the means of participatory design and inclusive events. Urban Gorillas will publish at the end of 2015 a comprehensive presentation of the result.
Senior Research Executive,
Dr. René Carraz
Urban Gorillas
This publication draws on analytical literature, the latest data on public spaces in Cyprus and the valuable inputs of a team of researchers, architects, designers, urban planners and city enthusiasts. The research that led to this book is the result of the Green Urban Lab project that took place in 2014-2015 and that was made …
Urban Gorillas was funded by Tandem Europe program during a year to explore innovative approaches to culture with the Milanese partner Non Riservato. UG and NR have created PS:MiNi Network, to broaden and strengthen expertise with regards to public space (PS) innovation. PS:MiNi (Public Space: Milano-Nicosia) explored the idea of “virtual residencies” inconnection to local …
Street art is not for eternity and for the museum but reacts to the now-ness of the given moment and a given constellation in the urban life of a specific city. Street art has mostly a poetic-political import. If we concede that street art advances our aesthetic sensibility, then we can argue that street art …
Driven by transforming unused public spaces and with an interest in exploring city planning and how citizens interact with it, we took part in ONEK‘s It’s Up to You(th) festival 2017. This passing September 16th, we put on our thinking hats and took our urban tools to Akropolis park in Nicosia. Converting an area of …
As part of the Independent project, a research project focusing on the identification and promotion of independent spaces and thinking, MAXXI museum publishes the online journal, Garibaldi, that investigates a range of perspectives, different themes and geographical contexts. The third issue focuses on the notion of the island. Topos of independence, the Island is investigated as in its terrestrial …
Urban Gorillas presented an interactive and thematic series of spatial interventions at the BoCCF through the Summer of 2016 to set the scene for the Foundation’s Faneromeni16 programme of events. The Foundation’s courtyard is a private space that is offered for public use during the opening hours of the Foundation itself. Urban Gorillas were also …
A new publication has been released on public spaces by UG members Veronika Antoniou, René Carraz, and Yiorgos Hadjichristou. Abstract: The Green Urban Lab took the form of public installations that were placed at various locations in four cities in Cyprus. These installations – through which a series of events, activities, workshops and research …
Read more “Publication by UG members: “Inflating the public: A Series of Urban Interventions””
Best practices for designing urban spaces. The handbook is a guide for municipalities and urban planners on best practices on urban spaces and spatial interventions that focus particularly on: participatory design; community-led initiated projects; DIY urbanism; urban gardening that promote social and environmental awareness. Download the report
University Professor and Urban Gorillas member Yiorgos Hadjichrisou presented the Green Urban Lab research finding at Kyoto University, Japan: — Kyoto University, Global Environmental Studies Department, Master course, 11.11.2015, 16:00-19:00:— Kyoto University, Architecture Department, Architectural and Environmental design, Takeyama Kiyoshi lab, Seminar, 9.11.2015, 16:30-20:00: The discussion was very instructive and managed to combine view points …
This report has been undertaken by Urban Gorillas as part of the Green Urban Lab (GUL) project that was made possible with funding from the EEA Grants/Norway Grants. It presents the research and urban interventions that have been conducted from April 2014 to October 2015. The overarching aim of the GUL project was to investigate …
Read more “Research and Design Findings: Green Urban Lab 2015:”
