CA24134 - Observatory of Innovative Strategies for Repurposing Terrain Vague (OBSERVISTA)

OBSERVISTA aims to innovate our approach to urban vacant spaces, commonly known as ‘terrain vague’, by creating a pan-European knowledge hub for innovative repurposing strategies. In an era of rapid urbanisation and environmental challenges, these overlooked spaces present unique opportunities for addressing pressing urban issues such as climate resilience, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. However, current approaches to terrain vague are fragmented across disciplines and sectors, limiting their potential impact.

This Action will bridge these knowledge gaps by:

1) Investigating diverse definitions, interpretations and forms of terrain vague across Europe;

2) Exploring innovative repurposing models;

3) Analysing legal and policy frameworks across different countries, scales and contexts;

4) Developing impactful activities, toolkits and frameworks;

5) Forging a Pan-European ‘community of practice’ 

OBSERVISTA will establish a collaborative network infrastructure, bringing together planners, ecologists, social scientists, artists, architects and community organisers from at least 10 European countries. The Action will facilitate knowledge exchange through a dynamic online platform, case study visits, interdisciplinary training workshops and networking events. It aims to develop a common language around terrain vague, create best practice guidelines for repurposing projects, and train a new generation of researchers and practitioners in innovative approaches to urban vacant spaces. By linking academic research with on-the-ground initiatives, OBSERVISTA will generate actionable insights for stakeholders such as policymakers, urban designers, and community groups to catalyse a paradigm shift in how we perceive and utilise urban vacant spaces from neglected areas into valuable hubs of social inclusion, health restoration, ecological regeneration, and climate adaptation.