Gdansk International Lab 2024

On June 25, 2024, the Urban Culture Institute in Gdansk hosted a unique symposium on water, organised as part of the Turning the Tide project. The event was in collaboration with the River Cities network.

Gdansk, with its rich history and dynamic urban landscape, has been at the forefront of making multifaceted decisions to address climate change. Deeply connected to its surrounding environment, the city continues to grapple with the effects of climate change caused by both natural phenomena and human activities. Understanding and mitigating these impacts remains critical to ensuring the resilience and sustainability of Gdansk in the face of environmental uncertainty.

The symposium brought together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from institutions, universities, research institutes, as well as artists and cultural activists. The event aimed to promote and popularize research on contemporary environmental, urban, and social challenges in the context of climate change.

Key speakers included Piotr Kryszewski (Vice-Mayor of Gdansk), Barbara Sroka (Acting Director of the Urban Culture Institute), and Iwona Preis (CEO of Intercult and project leader), who opened the symposium. The event featured presentations on water-related risks in the partner cities of the Turning the Tide project, as well as expert discussions on how Gdansk is adapting to and responding to water crises.

The symposium highlighted key initiatives such as green retention strategies, wilderness conservation in urban areas, and the role of artistic interventions in addressing environmental issues. International and local artists and cartopologists from Dear Hunter shared reflections on their residency experiences in Gdansk, unveiling a cartopological map of the city. Discussions also explored how artistic practices can respond to climate change and urban development, with contributions from artists such as Julita Wójcik, Iwona Zając, Michał Szlaga, and Kamila Chomicz.

The event concluded with a panel discussion on spatial planning and urban development in Gdansk in the context of water, led by Piotr Lorens, Architect of the City of Gdansk. The day culminated in the official opening of an exhibition of art installations created by international artists-in-residence from Sweden, Scotland, Greece, and the Netherlands.

This important gathering successfully fostered dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and creative collaborations, reinforcing the role of art, science, and community engagement in tackling climate challenges.

Co-funded by the European Union