What Would You Do With Fifteen Square Metres?

People strolling in Széchenyi Square were given an unusual task: in a fifteen-square-metre area chalked up on the main square’s asphalt they were free to draw what they would like to see there the most.

They also had the opportunity to colour their picture of what they would install in a public area of that size, should the decision be up to them. Passers-by quickly filled the frame with ideas. Many would plant trees, others would install a bike and scooter shelter or a smart bench. Ideas also included a stage, a chess table and even a dog water fountain installed in a green area.

Kép szövege: Different people drew trees, a bike and scooter shelter and a dog water fountain in the fifteen-square-metre area marked out in Széchenyi Square. Click on the first picture to see the gallery!

The experts of the SASMob Project finally explained that the area was exactly the size of a parking lot in Szeged. Taking into account only pay lots, the city’s total parking area is now 33,690 square metres, which equals nearly four hectares, of public area. If city dwellers travelled in a more environmentally friendly way, a significant part of that area would become available for other purposes.

The experts talked with those interested in the topic about transportation and its organisation. Bikers were offered free tyre pumping, chain oiling, seat covers and a biker’s map, pedestrians were given retro-reflective tapes and badges.