The transformative power of commoning in post-industrial Ostrava

Students and teachers across the U!REKA network pooled their expertise in an interactive and international project: Common Regeneration - How can urban commons transform an industrial and mining region? Case study: Ostrava. This collaborative learning module was organised from 15 March to 28 April 2023 both online and on-location during a field trip to Ostrava.

A total of 44 participants from six European higher education institutions representing 12 nationalities took part. In addition to students from the U!REKA partners in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Helsinki and Ostrava, students from Ljubljana, Kaunas, India, Egypt, South Africa and Mexico also joined the programme. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme saw this very international group share their insights from diverse disciplines, including social work, architecture, civil and sustainable engineering, chemistry, international business, teacher training, design and communication.

Mobilising locals for a sustainable future

U!REKA’s partner in the Czech Republic, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, is located in an area known for its industry and mining activities. Talking to residents and understanding their needs and the barriers to change is vital to transforming the region and mitigating the effects of climate change.

During the programme, this challenge was discussed from the perspective of the ‘commons’ concept during the online component: how can local people be mobilised to envision sustainable alternatives? During the trip to Ostrava, participants learned about the history of this extensive mining region from the end of the 18th century until 1992, when the mines closed. The area is slowly transforming into areas for nature and recreation. Efforts are also underway to create new jobs in this north-eastern corner of the Czech Republic by attracting new companies.

From a sociological perspective, many Roma communities migrated to Ostrava decades ago to work in the mines and now live in very poor conditions in urban areas. Students interviewed locals and worked in small groups to envision workable, inclusive interventions for the challenges that this group faces today, such as discrimination and financial hardship. The interviews with locals made a big impact on the students.

During the programme, various architectural solutions for the transformation of the area were also devised with a focus on how these solutions could be applied to post industrial areas anywhere in the world.