04 Porte parole
A method that encourages free thought and helps engage a larger number of people in a discussion about specific topics related to spaces they use.
Formulate relevant questions
Brainstorm on themes that might be relevant to the people in the specific area / site. Formulate questions related to the different aspects of the themes in a way that can be understood by everyone, regardless of education, age, gender or social background, etc (e. g. “Can we all live together?”, “What is important for you in the neighbourhood?”).
Test the questions, evaluate the answers
Test whether the topics and questions are appropriate or appealing for your target group: have interviewers walk in pairs in the chosen area, talk to people, document their answers. Reformulate questions that were deemed irrelevant or unappealing.
Hold the event
Write the questions on large, colourful pieces of cardboard, and place them on site together with possible answers to some of them for inspiration. If the area is large, divide it in several sub-spaces. Assign an interviewer to each of them, whose role is to make people delve deeper into the topic and relate it to their memories and emotions. The interviewer takes notes during the discussion, reads back the text to the interviewee to make sure the quote is correct, and transcribes the text again on a piece of cardboard, highlighting different opinions and perspectives or anything interesting. The more visually attractive the boards are, the more they will attract passers-by and prompt them to discuss the statements and contribute their own.
Who is it for
Local residents and all the users of a (public) space
How does it work
Formulate questions related to a public space / neighbourhood that are relevant to its users / residents. Write them on large boards and make an “exhibition” in a public space. Carry out interviews with passers-by and add their answers to the boards to attract more people and turn the place into a social event.
Why, what for
It reveals a great diversity of opinions and provides
a space for everyone to be heard.
Who can do it and what do you need for it
Competences: facilitators, transcribers, interviewers
Materials: coloured card boards and pens, ropes to hang the card boards to make them visible on the site
At what phase in a planning process
After completing the site diagnostic, to raise awareness about local issues
Estimated budget
€ 50 – € 100
syncity Contact
Ina Ivanceanu, ina.ivanceanu(at)oikodrom.org
Further reading:
‘Street Debate — The Word Carrier’. Retrieved 19 February 2021 from https://www.spacetwinning.eu/pdf/Guideline_for_street_debate.pdf
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‘European Street Debate: How Important is Europe for You?’ 2019. Sensibiliz’Action website. Retrieved 8 February 2021 from http://www.sensibilizaction.fr/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Leaflet-How-important-isEurope-for-you.pdf.
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‘To Debate: The Word Carrier’. 2019. Street Views — Youth for Diversity. Guideline How to Raise Awareness in Diversity in the Street, pp. 14-16. Retrieved 8 February 2021 from http://www.sensibilizaction.fr/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Guideline-Street-Views-Youth-for-Diversity.pdf.