Detailed description (English): These days we have growing number of bicyclists in the city of Minsk, regarding its plain relief and wide streets. But there is a lack of infrastructure: being awheel we can not share the roads with city car transport. There are but not many bikeroads and most of the time we have to interfere with pedestrians on their walkways. Growing number of individual cars have also become big poblem. Near 10% of our city area are occupied by parking lots (rough estimate, the real number tends to be higher). Trees in parks are often cut to make way to vehicles.
Parkin' Beat, urban festival of music, arts & activities, calls the community to think about the usage of the public space as it is now and as it can be. Everyone sees alternatives while being on the event: there are no cars, no carbon emissions, participants are encouraged to use bikes and boards, to take part in urban forum of mobility and communication. The entire festival zone is situated in the old industrial center of the city, wide road with parking lots on both sides. Four years ago there were two cafes, few people walking by and taking pictures. Parkin' Beat took part first in 2013 and literally brought life in this street on one summer night oj July, 27th. Near 1500 people came here to see and feel the spitit of modern urban life. That is not few considering that the event was announced a week prior it was held and the posters appeared only a couple of days before we all met together to celebrate the unity. Those who came awheel by their bikes or skateboards have had a discount at the entrance.
Today Kastrychnitskaya street is one of the most spoken places becoming a cultural center. Plants' floors convert into art galleries, cafes, workshops, coworking places, recording studios and many more! All in couple of years. People come to meet here. The next step is communication and collaboration.
This year September, 16th is a global Park(ing) Day. http://parkingday.org/about-parking-day/
Target group(s): Youth 18—30 y.o.
Сyclists, skateboarders, rollers
Musicians, concertgoers
Artists
Activists, urbanists, ecologists
Objectives: Rising the questions for community to resolve. Such as transport, mobility, city area usage and saving and planning of new parks and gardens. Involving the community into activities and communication.
Expected Outcomes: 3000 participants are expected this year. 50000 people will know about the event and its idea. The community will feel the strength of unity and collaboration.