There are now many more opportunities for local communities to come together than there were a decade or so ago. Smart technologies, social networks, and a greater variety of activities in newly developed residential neighborhoods contribute to the aforementioned changes..
Sociologists note that now residents of almost every new apartment building participate in their local community social network groups. There, they learn what questions or problems arise, what activities community members are invited to participate in, and discussions are initiated among local residents.
True, nothing happens by itself. Leaders are important to get things moving. Many people follow the news, but few take action. Many people find it convenient when someone else takes the initiative. There will always be residents who will join in solving a relevant issue or an interesting activity, but at the beginning there must be an initiator who will invite and suggest how to solve an issue, problem, or start a new activity.
One example is the community garden “Idejų lysvė”, initiated by architect Laura Petruškė and communications specialist, placemaking practitioner Beatričė Umbrasaitė. Having started with 5 beds in Pilaitė three years ago, the garden now has 30, of which 25 have been distributed to individuals. The remaining ones are used to grow flowers, mint, lemon balm and other plants.
“Bed of Ideas” is more than a garden – it is a place where various workshops take place, where people learn to create and make things themselves, swap parties, lectures on sustainable lifestyles and ecology, and other events. As we write in our manifesto, “Bed of Ideas” is a place for partnership, dialogue, and friendship,” says B. Umbrasaitė.
According to her, people who have reserved beds come to take care of their plants at a time convenient for them, the garden is always open. However, there is also an opportunity to work together – Thursday evenings are designated for joint work. “Landscape tools are perfect for activating unused spaces, which give local residents the power to create cozy yards and public spaces themselves,” says the initiator of “Idejų lysvės”.
Spaces encourage outdoor meetings
The spaces designed in new apartment blocks also inspire various outdoor activities and create opportunities for communities to come together.
“A specific space is important in each block that would encourage a sense of community and engage in unifying activities. For example, gardens could be created there, where residents would grow and care for vegetables together. Or maybe that space could be designated for group exercise classes or dog training courses,” says architect Saulius Pamerneckis, head of SP Architects Group.
In the Visoriai district, SP Architektų Grupė has designed a new Eika-managed apartment block “Metų laikai”, which will be developed in four stages, with 620 apartments for sale. According to S. Pamerneckis, when preparing the project, special attention was paid to the nearby Visoriai Forest Park, aiming to provide easy access to it for people from neighboring territories. In addition, the entire block is dominated by light, meaning that many places are planned from which one could see the Visoriai Forest Park.
“When preparing the project, we formed three main blocks with internal private spaces for the residents of the block. We also planned two public passages from Visorių Street towards the forest park. Also, with the approval of the municipality, a new public space will appear near Visorių Street, which could connect not only the residents of the aforementioned block, but the entire growing district community,” notes S. Pamerneckis, noting that commercial spaces are planned on the first floors of the project from Visorių Street, where bakeries or cafes can be located, and terraces for conversations and relaxation can be formed in front of them.
Visoriai’s vision is a middle-class district with a strong community
Real estate experts note that the gradually expanding Visoriai district has a lot of potential for the formation of a strong local community. With each new construction project, the district is replenished with new infrastructure – streets, bicycle paths, common spaces, and green spaces are being renovated. One of the projects is “Metų laikai”, which will be built on a land plot acquired by “Eika Development Fund”. This is the first investment of the newest fund managed by investment management company UAB “Eika Asset Management” (EAM).
“Visoriai is one of the greenest districts in Vilnius, surrounded on all sides by a forest park. The district is located near the main arteries of the city – Geležinio vilko and Ateities streets, but at the same time there is no direct visual connection and noise, because residential buildings will be separated from them by the forest park surrounding Visoriai, which can open up many opportunities and activities to strengthen community. We hope that “Metų laikai” will also contribute to this,” says Jolanta Dobradziejienė, Deputy Development Director of the company “Eika”.
Visoriai is a heterogeneous district, where the neighborhood will be created by residents of the established block of individual houses and a newly emerging block of apartment buildings. A real estate expert predicts that both young people studying and mature seniors who like to spend time with their grandchildren in nature will find their homes in Visoriai.
“Visoriai could be compared to the residential areas of Santariškės and Lazdynėliai in terms of environment, but the aforementioned district is much closer to the city center and all the infrastructure that may be needed. It is likely that in a few years Visoriai will be positioned as a strong middle-class housing district, distinguished by its local community spirit,” says J. Dobradziejienė.