Description
The “Pop-up Rural Socially-Innovative Hubs” project emerged as an academic and community initiative to revitalise small rural municipalities in Croatia through temporary social and urban innovation interventions. An interdisciplinary team of students, researchers, and local residents collaborated to create “pop-up hubs”—mobile spaces for participation, creativity, and learning—that transformed unused buildings and public spaces into community meeting points. Activities included youth workshops, co-design labs, and cultural activation actions that strengthened local identity and encouraged intergenerational cooperation. These hubs demonstrated that small collaborative actions can have a significant impact on social cohesion and the positive perception of rural environments.
Innovation
The project combines participatory design, social innovation, and education in architecture and urban planning with a flexible, low-cost methodology. The innovation lies in the creation of “temporary infrastructures”—containers, modules, and dismantlable structures—that can be installed in any rural locality to promote participation and learning. Additionally, the educational dimension was integrated by involving university students in solving real problems faced by rural communities, generating knowledge transfer between academia and local practice. The methodology has been replicated in several municipalities as an example of social and educational sustainability.
Why it is inspiring
The Croatian case shows how rural revitalisation can begin with minimal resources and active youth involvement. Its temporary, adaptable, and participatory approach allows rural spaces to be reactivated without large investments, fostering a sense of belonging and community empowerment. By involving students and local residents in the same creative process, the project has strengthened intergenerational ties and generated new perspectives on inhabiting the territory. It is an inspiring initiative for small municipalities seeking innovative, participatory, and sustainable solutions to revive their social and cultural life.
Responsible entity: Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, in collaboration with local rural communities
Location: Rural regions of Zagreb and Karlovac, Croatia
