Making a cultural institution the anchor point for a divided community

We invited inhabitants from the whole community of Helsingborg to participate and contribute to the DYNAMIC DIALOGUES. The almost fifty participants count young students, council officials, an Iman, a Priest, non-religious people, creative businessmen and –women, academic researchers, actors from the theatre, urban planners and many many more..

Where? Helsingborg – Sweden

Helsingborg is an atmospheric midsize town situated in the South-West of Sweden, there are traditional- and creative industries, developed infrastructures, public services for young and old, proximity to the water and a regional development plan catalysing both the extension of educational institutions and an upgrade of the built environment.

Why? The Situation

Helsingborgs population is segregated by an invisible boarder just behind the main station into an economically safe conventional Swedish North and the deprived or financially exposed mainly immigrant inhabitants of the South.
This situation is relatively typical within a European context, however exaggerated it seems when you are in Helsingborg. The positive effect of this obvious segregation is that everyone agrees that something needs to change.

What? The Dynamic Dialogues Lab

CLEAR VILLAGE has been engaged in Helsingborg in collaboration with the City Theatre through a Lab process that we called ‘Dynamic Dialogues Lab’.
We had the objective to be a safe platform that connects the community of all citizens, facilitate an open discussion and create understanding between the different segments of society. We empower all to have a vision for their City and to trust their own ability to making change happen.
Our emphasis is to anchor the cultural change at the City Theatre as they offer themselves as a hub for the change-makers. And from there, reach out to all four corners and draw in the previously segregated parts of the Helsingborg community.

How? The Lab Process

The CLEAR VILLAGE LAB is participatory design in action. The process is aimed at creating a strategy for progressive redevelopment and revitalisation on the village scale, while maintaining emphasis on the existing culture, local economy and natural environment of a community.
The LABS are supported by best practice analysis & trend research by the CLEAR VILLAGE Observatory and express a people centric dynamic in architecture and planning, giving less weight to their often cosmetic nature.