Viana do Castelo
Viana S+T+ARTS Centre - The Place for Arts-Driven Blue Innovation
About the project
The new 'S+T+ARTS' Centre in Viana do Castelo is established through ‘creative reuse’ of the Old Municipal Slaughterhouse. The necessary renovations are based on the participatory design of a 'renovation and construction concept’ for the disused building involving at least 40 local stakeholders.
This approach aims to promote urban requalification and social inclusion in the surrounding area, bringing together history, heritage and urban renewal. A key part of the renovation design is also the introduction of innovative energy-efficiency and circular solutions – including new solutions existing only at a prototype stage.
The renovations are carried out following an open public tender for a construction company to implement the agreed design. In parallel, a ‘centre strategic and activity plan’ is co-created by the local authority and local stakeholders, feeding into the testing of the facilities and different intended uses of the building.
The Viana S+T+ARTS Centre will become a space for co-creation and participatory activities in a variety of artistic, scientific and technological fields. This includes an eco-startup incubator, educational activities, scientific demonstrations and creative applications of emerging technologies, such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence. It also includes artistic experiences, exhibitions and residencies for different types of professional.
Through these activities and the provision of open spaces for artistic, scientific and technological interaction, the centre aims to make a valuable contribution to the transformation of Viana do Castelo into a new blue innovation hub. A key ultimate objective is to significantly improve the coastal city's attractiveness to young talents, further feeding into positive cycles of local urban development.
Challenges
Historic Viana do Castelo, on Portugal’s north coast, has grown into an industrial city with significant economic links to the ocean.
In their Ocean Agenda 20-30, city leaders recently strengthened commitments to the sustainable exploitation of ocean resources and the climate-resilient transformation of Viana do Castelo.
However, the full potential of the sustainable blue economy is not yet exploited, and the city still struggles to retain or attract young talents who are drawn to larger cities.
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A need for a strong catapult mechanism to harness the potential of new blue technologies.
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The deficit of young talent leaving local industry with difficulties to attract qualified personnel.
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Converting Viana do Castelo into a Portuguese blue innovation hub.
Proposed solutions
The creation of a Science+Technology+ARTS Centre in Viana do Castelo supports the city’s transformation into a blue innovation hub, co-creating unconventional solutions, attracting young talents and revitalising poor neighbourhoods.
The project is transforming an old municipal building, incorporating innovative energy-efficiency, low-carbon and circular solutions. Testing innovative activities and solutions, the new Centre is based on New European Bauhaus principles and participatory design.
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Creative and community lab.
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Transform the municipal old slaughterhouse building, demonstrating a set of innovative energy-efficiency, low carbon and circular solutions.
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Provide novel sustainability solutions and contribute to environmentally responsible behaviour.
Milestones
Contributions from more than 40 stakeholders in project co-design and preparation for public tender
Contract signed for the renovation of the building, and construction works initiated
With renovations completed, the centre is ready to host pilot experiments supporting creativity and unconventional approaches
Designing the centre's strategic plan and activities and testing its facilities and approaches to outline the centre´s long-term sustainability