Urban Initiative “Espíritu Santo”January 2015

Rosa Martínez

CONTEXT. The URBAN InitiativeThe Spanish Ministry of Economy decided to get involved in the Regional Operational Programs 2007-2013 in order to reinforce local interventions to face the problems of deprived neighbourhoods in cities.The Urban Initiative acts on the framework of the Policy of Cohesion of European Union80% of Urban Initiative is supported by the European Regional Fund (ERDF)

URBAN Espíritu Santo is a project about the economic and social revitalisation of a deprived neighbourhood in Espinardo, located on the periphery of Murcia. There are 3.827 residents, of which 30% are gypsies.

The project aims to revitalize the community with culture, creative innovation and citizen participation as key factors to boost urban development.

A participatory methodology uses the creative force of citizenship as an engine for change. Through the Forum of Social Participation, citizens can participate in the entire project development process, including evaluation.

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FORUM OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION. Participation mechanisms: Annual meetings, regular general meetings and working groups.

FORUM OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION. WORKING GROUPS: Urban Labs

FORUM OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION. WORKING GROUPS: Evaluation

FORUM OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION. ENCOUNTERS

The project includes a set of measures to transform the current life conditions of the area, according to three essential aspects of community life :

Rebuilding the physical space,Energizing social and cultural lifeImproving the economic environmment

Interacting at the same time.

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Improving the physical space. ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOODwith cultural, educational & social quality facilities to boost the community development and transform the area into an attractive space in the city.

Improvinging the physical space. ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD. The project includes the construction and remodeling of Educational and Cultural infrastructure: Centre for sporting events and performing arts and music.

Improvinging the physical space. ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD . Non formal Education Centre, as support (social inclusion activities, extra-mural activities, a space for youth groups, assembly hall, etc.) or the Social Services Centre Murcia North.

Rebuilding the physical space. ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD. Adapting the classrooms for arts education in Theatre, Dance and Music in the Salzillo School. Multimedia workshop and projection hall in the neighbourhood centre.

Improvinging the physical space. ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD. Building and Arts Production Centre and cultural business incubator to promote employment and economic activities. The aim is to foster hands-on (with the appropriate equipment) cultural co-productions with the emphasis on co-operation.

Rebuilding the physical space. ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD. Rebuilding of the Main Square as the new centre of the neigbourhood . It was all achieved within a participatory process.

ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD. Improving physical space. Opening of the Plaza de la Constitution, exhibition of video art “The square we dream”.

ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD. Improving physical space. Competition mural painting for Constitución square.

ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD. Improving environmental quality: placing underground rubbish containers; improving public lighting , and a programme for education about enviromental protection and reducing energy and water consumption .

ATTRACTIVE NEIGBOURHOOD. Improving environmental quality: Environmental education program, recycling and reuse of waste, environmental awareness, reducing the consumption of electricity and water.

CREATIVE COMMUNITYFor improving the social and cultural space, the projects includes measures for social inclusion. Family social services, mediators training, education for equal opportunities.

CREATIVE COMMUNITY: Activities for boosting educational achievement such as extra-mural school support, and environmental and cultural knowledge.

CREATIVE COMMUNITYArts Education to strengthen the attactiveness of the School: Dance Theater, Music, Video.

Improving Economical Space. CULTURAL DISTRICT. Measures to increase personal skills to employment.: The Professional Guidance Office provides advise and training to get a job or create a small business.

Improving Economical Space. CULTURAL DISTRICT. Measures to improve professional capacities. ProfessionalTraining Program in professions related with cultural sectors Moulding and modeling in artificial stone. Artistic melting of sculptures.

Improving Economical Space. CULTURAL DISTRICT. Professional training programme in professions related with cultural sectors: digital contents, sound and lithgt for permonming arts, video-art, professional video editing.

Improving Economical Space. CULTURAL DISTRICT. Suplementary professions of performing arts: Hairdresser, make up, sewing.

Improving Economical Space. CULTURAL DISTRICT. Suplementary professions of performing arts . Costumes, hairdresser and makeup for flamenco events.

Improving Economical Space. CULTURAL DISTRICT. Measures to improve educational and professioal training. ICT training for all ages, collaboration with schools, open classroom training, accreditation ECDL training, specialization courses.

Improving Economical Space. CULTURAL DISTRICT. Creation Labs, business Labs. The next steps include activities to create new forms of business, observing changes in the cultural market and facilitate meetings between creators and distributors of content, etc.

THE NEW NEIGBOURHOOD: Events to facilitate sustainability of the neighborhood and facilitate the permeability of the rest of the city as Sporting Events and Performing Arts in the Multipurpose Hall, Festival dance, Video Festival, Annual Congress on Culture and Urban Development.

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Thank you very much

Rosa MartínezDirector, URBAN Espíritu Santo Project

European Programme ServiceCity of Murcia (Spain)

www.urbanespiritusanto.es