The festival of urban innovations – Miastolab (Citylab) will take place on 2-5 September in Dąbrowa Górnicza. It is a new metropolitan project jointly organized by Fabryka Pełna Życia (the Living Factory) and the Metropolis GZM as a patron of the initiative. The partners of the event include University of Silesia in Katowice and Centre For Critical Technology Studies – a research unit of the University of Silesia, working on the complexity of challenges related to the development of technology.
The Miastolab initiative is a response to new challenges in urban planning. The goal of the event is to connect various communities interested in creating a friendly urban environment – the authorities, residents, as well as scientists and local activists.
The programme of the festival will show how to cooperate with city residents in the process of urban planning. The programme includes lectures and debates with specialists, as well as workshops, movie screenings, music and art events, and a picnic promoting social activity and cooperation.
The main point of the programme will be the conference entitled “Urban Innovators”, scheduled for 2nd and 3rd September. Speakers representing various industries and engaged in various areas of urban development were invited to discuss interesting urban concepts, progressive solutions as well as research aimed at cities. During the meeting, issues related to demographic challenges, an aging society, intergenerational integration, and city management will be discussed. The perspectives of the Smart City idea will be discussed as well.
During the conference, Michał Krzykawski, PhD, DLitt, Associate Professor from the Faculty of Humanities, director of the Centre For Critical Technology Studies will deliver a lecture “From innovation to invention. A city and the spirit of a city after automation”. In the following days, the scientist from the University of Silesia will also conduct workshops for teens entitled “From a social garden to climate activism”. He will also take part in a discussion on a broader view of urban space, taking into account the needs of various beings – “Discussion on sunbeds – meadows, gardens, parks – on people and non-people in a city”.
The workshops for teens require previous registration. Free applications are to be sent to the following e-mail address: michal.krzykawski@us.edu.pl.
Detailed schedule of the Miastolab festival is available on the website of Fabryka Pełna Życia (the Living Factory).
The entrance is free.