Fullback is developing yet another placemaking project at a sports facility!
Placemaking is a people-centered approach that places the community at the heart of the planning, design, and management of public spaces. More than just a physical renovation, the goal is to create a vibrant, inclusive space that reflects the community’s identity—one built on the needs, expectations, and experiences of those who use it daily—thereby fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring sustainable use over time.
Below, we share the news published by the Municipality of Mangualde on its official website regarding the #REHUB Gândara project:
“The Municipality of Mangualde, in partnership with Fullback – Sports Management & Innovation, is launching #REHUB Gândara, an innovative project to renovate the multi-sport facility in the Gândara neighborhood, which breaks away from traditional models of urban intervention by inviting citizens to be the architects of this transformation.
The project invites residents, athletes, and associations to join the technical team to collaboratively design the neighborhood’s future sports and recreation space.”
Under the slogan “The Sports Complex Is Yours,” the City Council aims for this renovation to be more than just an engineering project. “We want this to be a collaborative, people-centered process—what’s known as ‘placemaking’—a concept aligned with European Union guidelines that aims to transform and improve a specific space, making it inspiring and fostering connections between people, and which requires community participation,” explains Marco Almeida, mayor of Mangualde.
The process will take place between April 1 and May 22, featuring two workshops and the presentation of the final proposal. “These are three key stages that will allow for active and transparent engagement,” assures the mayor.
To ensure that no one is left out, the municipality is providing a direct online channel where all citizens can share their perspectives and submit ideas.
The first Consultation and Participation Workshop (co-creation) will take place this coming Wednesday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Café Gandra. This event, open to the community, aims to gather the perspectives and ideas of those who use the Bairro da Gândara sports complex.
On April 27, the Scenario Presentation Workshop will take place, aimed at evaluating and selecting the solutions that best serve the neighborhood.
The presentation of the Final Proposal is scheduled for May 22, when the project—developed with all the community’s contributions—will be unveiled.
“We want the Bairro da Gândara sports complex area to be an example of how the municipality and citizens can work together to transform neglected spaces into a true source of local pride,” concludes Marco Almeida.
To participate in the process and sign up for the workshops, simply fill out the form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrmzaOOnwQDbM3mVSsb6vU3P2RdXbP9T_tUxXWHOHfoxky1A/viewform?usp=send_form
#REHUB is a participatory urban regeneration initiative that positions sports as a driver of social cohesion, using active listening methodologies to optimize public resources and maximize the impact on residents’ quality of life.”
