Tourist Information Center: New Approaches to Actualizing Heritage

From June 30 to July 26, a workshop of the REHERIT 2.0: Common Responsibility for Shared Heritage project was held, aimed at developing a concept for a mobile tourist information center in Uman.

The workshop was held in three stages in Uman and Lviv. For a month, students from the Kharkiv School of Architecture, Uman universities, and active youth from the community explored the urban space of Uman and worked on ideas for a mobile tourist information center. Together, the participants searched for answers to the questions: what is mobile architecture, and what is its place in urban spaces, what are examples of mobile structures in urban spaces for various purposes, and finally, what experience can be relevant for Uman? Reflections on the results of the ReHerit project (2018-2021) and the ideas of REHERIT 2.0 complemented the contextual framework with which the students worked. The participants also conducted short surveys in the city among Uman residents and tourists, explored popular tourist routes and anchor locations. 

The prototype of the mobile tourist information center was a proposal for a comprehensive solution that combines spatial design, functional infrastructure, and new approaches to interaction with residents and tourists. Its form and materials are designed in accordance with the key principles of co-creation in a city with a multicultural heritage, mobility, inclusiveness, and conciseness. This integrated approach expands the possibilities of using the mobile tourist information center and turns it into a tool that introduces the city, encourages dialogue, and enhances respect for multicultural heritage. Ultimately, it helps the city to recognize the needs of citizens and tourists and to develop an effective approach to tourism management. 

The workshop was the result of cooperation with the Kharkiv School of Architecture as part of the First Aid Spatial Kit student construction practice. It was organized in partnership with the Uman City Council as part of the REHERIT 2.0: Common Responsibility for Shared Heritage project, implemented by the Center for Urban History and the Regional Development Center of the PPV Economic Development Agency with the financial support of the European Union. 

Organizers and partners of the workshop

• Center for Urban History
• Center for Regional Development of the PPV Economic Development Agency
• Uman City Council
• Kharkiv School of Architecture

This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the partners of the REHERIT 2.0 project and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.