Umbra Students Involve Local Children in their Community Project
Haley Donathan demonstrates pumpkin carving during the Borgo Bello Halloween Bash.Students taking part in ESUS 310: Placemaking: Creating Sustainable Urban Spaces and Communities have joined the local community as part of their study abroad experience in Perugia, Italy. As they continue work, through the C.A.R.O. Vicolo Project, on the terrace of Via del Cortone, the class has been finding new ways to involve the community.
Placemaking is an innovative approach to urban design that involves designing a public space according to direct input from locals who live and work in that space. The project began with discussions with community activists and volunteers, in Fall 2015, but this semester’s students are reaching out to children for innovative ideas that emphasize the importance of play and empower the younger generations to take an active interest in the evolution of their neighborhood.
Last night, the ESUS 310 class hosted a Borgo Bello Halloween Bash. Young children and their parents came dressed in their best costumes to learn the American tradition of pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treat for cupcakes. Fresh bruschetta toasted over a fire was served as the community bonded in its newly renovated common space. The class and their professors, Ray and Viviana Lorenzo, used the event to advertise their upcoming workshop to local families. The Coloriamo di idee la terrazza del Cortone (Let’s Color the Cortone Terrace with Ideas) Workshop will take place on November 8th in the neighborhood’s puppet theater. It will be designed with a number of children’s activities so that they can creatively share their ideas for the kind of space that they feel will encourage them to play with their friends and family.
Click here to learn more about the semester and the terrace project through the eyes of Placemaking students.