Aramaneh

Transforming Neglected Spaces into Vibrant Hubs of Social Interaction

Urban acupuncture, inspired by the principles of addressing specific urban challenges through targeted interventions, serves as the fundamental base for our project. Like the practice of acupuncture on the human body, urban acupuncture aims to pinpoint and alleviate urban issues by employing small-scale, community-driven initiatives. From community gardens to pop-up parks, these interventions seek to stimulate positive change within urban environments while actively involving local communities in the process. However, despite its emphasis on bottom-up approaches and community participation, urban acupuncture encounters challenges such as the risk of overlooking systemic issues and variations in effectiveness across different contexts.

In our project, we encountered the challenge of neglected urban spaces left behind after peripheral district renovations. These spaces, once considered wastelands, posed a threat to the urban environment due to their unsafe and defenseless nature. However, by adopting the principles of urban acupuncture, we saw an opportunity to transform these spaces into vibrant hubs for social interaction. Our solution involved creating safe pedestrian spaces, implementing shared bike and car lanes, and incorporating elements such as geometric design to reduce vehicle speeds. Additionally, we established open areas for communal activities such as sports and children’s playgrounds, along with green spaces, fostering a sense of community ownership and engagement. Collaboratively undertaken with Mazyar Abaee, this project exemplifies the application of urban acupuncture principles in revitalizing neglected urban spaces and fostering inclusive urban development.

This project, undertaken in collaboration with Mazyar Abaee, is one of the environmental design projects within Baaftaar.