Idea Camp 2014_Ideas Booklet_low res

Milena IvkovicThe NetherlandsI am an experienced designer and researcher, with expertise in public space renewal andinteractive urbanism. After working for several renowned Dutch architecture offices,I started my own Rotterdam-based practice Blok74 in 2011. I develop new designinstruments and research methodologies (such as urban games) to bridge the gapbetween urban professionals and citizens. I collaborate on various renewal projectsworldwide, from the Balkans to Asia and Africa. Born in Belgrade, Serbia, I receivedan MSc from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Belgrade for a projectshowcasing the reconstruction of post-communist cities.Sandbox / Fun(d)boxUsing urban gaming to design and support the revitalisation of small-scale public spaces.Sandbox / Fun(d)box is an urban gaming project todesign and support the revitalisation of neglectedsmall-scale public spaces. Based on the “what-if”triggers, Sandbox / Fun(d)box uses the collectiveintelligence of public space stakeholders (players) tobuild (analogue, digital or mixed media) programmaticmodels of public space, visualise the fundraisingstrategy, and work towards realisation. The projectuses the power of playfulness to accelerate urbanchange, and shift from the traditional, over-complicateddesign procedures to more simple and tangiblesolutions, embedded in local culture and way of living.The project is motivated by a belief in the value ofgaming as a highly democratic instrument to addresspublic space. It’s also polyvocal – allowing wide-rangingdiscussion and action across and through differences.Finally, the project also aims to connect civic capital(cultural, social and economic) with the executive powerof the city administration.32