Presentation of an interdisciplinary study at the International Conference “Tangible – Intangible Heritage(s) – Design, Social and Cultural Critiques on the Past, the Present and the Future”, organized by AMPS International research organization and the academic, scientific journal Architecture_MPS
Mrs. Angeliki Sivitanidou, Lecturer of Architecture, participated in the conference “Tangible – Intangible Heritage(s) – Design, Social and Cultural Critiques on the Past, the Present and the Future”, organized by AMPS International research organization and the academic, scientific journal Architecture_MPS, at the University of East London (13- 15 June, 2018). 120 academics and researchers affiliated with universities, city councils and scientific organizations presented their research at this international conference, in order to draw synergies and develop relationships between buildings and communities, use and experience, architectural design and education, urbanism and urban sociology, city and environment(s), culture and history, genius loci and place identity.
Mrs. Sivitanidou presented the research “Grafting Culture onto Urban Space: The Exploration of Community-based Practices towards Sustainability in the case of Pafos, Cyprus”, conducted with Mrs. Evanthia Dova, Lecturer of Architecture, during the academic course “Open Urban Spaces” of the Programme of Architecture.
This ongoing research examines how the citizens of Pafos as active participants and the cultural events as collective and common social happenings, which occurred during Pafos2017 European Capital of Culture, re-shaped and redefined the urban and the socio-cultural spaces of the city. The presentation focused on the dynamic articulations and mutual dependencies between urban spaces and social groups, between the city’s tangible heritage of natural and man-made environments and its intangible heritage of people’s traditions, connections and future aspirations. Analyzing the findings of two case studies: Kennedy Square and the Municipal Gardens, this interdisciplinary study provided evidence of the extent a community-based strategy has managed to direct the city of Pafos towards sustainable development practices.
Owing to this initiative and pro-action, opportunities for various research collaborations with the AMPS International research organization can be developed, whilst the connections between the Neapolis University in Cyprus with the local community and administration are further reinforced.