The separation of the two spheres that are politics and people has been dicovered as a problematic, they function fundamentally different. How do we make these 2 terms tangible, and how do we reshape the interaction between government and citizens? Our democratic structures are under pressure: Citizens no longer feel represented by outdated top-down power dynamics. Enhancing citizen centrism in political involvement is the priority aim. Who knows better what citizens need, than citizens?
The proposed strategy in Bern offers one of many tools of how to use vacant industrial and commercial spaces and rental apartments in the city on one hand and on the other hand to give citizens a place to meet-up in a variety of spaces who offer different political topics of interest which are currently relevant. Informal spaces such as meetings and debates become spatialized. For the virtual aspect, a virtual hub/ platform is introduced which provides and overview over the physical spaces in the city with their ways of political involvement and events.
The spatial components kit was put into place through the open architecture competition through various designers. One is able to choose from a virtual warehouse of elements for both immediate knowledge of the current state of the physical spaces, and to allow for any level of booking, oversight and management. A standardised system through modules is created. The basic divisions that govern any Cartesian space can be re-set in any way that the user would wish in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner. This is done via the use of a standard module size for objects that form interior arrangements of 0.5x [X]. This is then linked to an app controlled booking and feedback service, creating a new offer of digital user interface and control for dynamic re-scheduling of uses over a number of potential timescales from daily to annual shifts. Technology is integrated for management and planning. This ease of control and feedback is essential for allowing the user to get the right mix of interchangeable programs in order to optimise the use of any space to their demands. A digital user interface would play this critical role in this; this would be an app based system for the scheduling of spatial arrangements and ordering of components. This facilitates an immediate uptake for users given the ubiquitous use of smart phone and tablet based devices that are now the norm. There are multiple benefits from this easy configuring of a final development for any functional use mix that is desired: It helps to maximise the useful economic life of a space. Also, the digital control and virtual warehouse approach facilitates a closed-loop system with on demand manufacture, lightweight and compact delivery, easy assembly, easy disassembly, storage and recycling. Another gain is the social value from serving diverse groups of people and increasing a sense of community and communication. Finally, this use of reconfiguring space can bring vibrancy to the immediate surroundings, making a positive impact on the democracy.