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Denmark

Berlin

Azerbaijan

The film addresses various challenges that could be faced particularly by pedestrians, people with disabilities, and women* regarding public transport, the exclusive infrastructure of roads and public spaces, and the design of underground passages. Around a round table, young people discuss their stories regarding the confusing and challenging urban experiences where lack and sometimes the abundance of unreasonable passages makes life easier for cars, yet so tough for the citizens. Further, the dysfunctioning "Top-up" points for accessing public transport are also reflected in the film. Most of the public transport in Baku could be accessed through the "Baku card" payment, whereas most bus stops are underequipped with the machines to top the cards or they are not properly functioning. The situation puts many people in a helpless situation when they try to hop on quickly to the coming bus, but also there is a sweet culture of asking others on the bus to pay for them in return for small cash. Last, the unsafe reality of Baku's streets for women and the lack of inclusion regarding people with disabilities are shortly reflected in the film.

USA

The world watched as Milwaukee residents struggled to express their right to vote when only 5 polling stations of 180 remained open to serve a population of over 600,000 in this COVID-19 pandemic. The locations that remained open were not accessible to all neighborhoods. This is what voter suppression looks like. Communities, especially those without reliable transportation, need polling stations to participate in our democracy. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Milwaukee identified a need and took action. Three club locations have already been approved to serve as polling stations and seek more prior to the November election. The clubs are trusted places for kids, parents, and the community. This civic gesture can be deployed in cities across the nation, and only takes the foresight to look at the current built environment and recognize the spaces already serving communities. Communities can use existing space to remove barriers and make it possible for everyone to vote.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s education culture is built in a way that after graduation from high school those who are capable of having to move to Baku for university education and eventually to start a “better” life there. It is mostly because, unfortunately, there are not many opportunities for young people in the other districts of the country and the decentralization process is very slow in the regions. The situation makes many young people leave their life behind and start a new beginning in a huge and gray city. Many things do not translate the same when you move from a district where life is slower, nature is beautiful and green, people are kinder and know each other and most importantly there is a sense of community around the neighborhood you used to live in. In return, Baku is very hectic, the weather is toxic, people always rush somewhere and the high buildings and city infrastructure leave you with minimum contact with people and nature. Most women who have mental health problems such as general anxiety and depression find it hard to adapt to a new toxic environment. Most women also feel more insecure about their safety and security in Baku due to the higher chances of harassment compared to the regions. The sense of being a “stranger” to a big city you newly moved in also adds up to the general anxiety and mental health problems. Some spaces help to relax and find peace such as the shore of the Caspian Sea. However, it is getting increasingly crowded and dirtier every other day. Conditions in the country leave many young people with little to no choice but to move to the capital city at some point in their lives. The city design with its many problems from transport to overpopulation makes it hard for most to adapt.

Singapore

Holding Space explores the lived experiences of Burmese immigrants in Singapore under the gaze of neighbours in public flats. With a focus on spatial arrangements and housing exteriors, the experimental film challenges the ways architects visualise and instrumentality their ways of seeing, seeking to hold space for subjective experiences and the subtle yet persistent influences on our domestic interiors.