The center of interest for Kateřina Ždychova – an architect and designer from Prague, invited to Wrocław after OPEN A.I.R.'s call in February 2016 – became Przedmieście Oławskie (Oławskie Suburb). She created a series of intervention and improvement projects for that neighborhood, based on observations, structural analysis of that area and interviews with local community. Przedmieście Oławskie used to be an industrial neighborhood in east Wrocław, destroyed in 60% during World War II. Those post-industrial buildings and multi-storey tenements from the second half of 19th century live up to the name “Bermuda Triangle” – it's an infamous part of the city with above average crime rate, widely recognized as the place of residence of dangerous members of the society. During the “flood of the millennium” in 1997, Przedmieście Oławskie was – next to Kozanów in north-west part of Wrocław – the neighborhood that suffered the most, many buildings were under water up to first floor, which caused irreparable damages. 2016 is the beginning of revitalization process in this degraded area, and it raises many important questions: how to conjoin culture and community supporting all the changes with more business approach? How to keep the balance between the “old” and “new'? How to support neighborhood's creative and cultural sectors? Which solutions will be the best for the community, multigenerational families and immigrants inhabiting this territory? What can we all do to reclaim for culture those beautiful, but forgotten spaces?

Since this neighborhood is included in the city's revitalization plan, Ždychova thought that the informations she gathered in Wrocław could be used by those, who want to change their urban surroundings. Her target were local community leaders, artists, activists, but most of all citizens of  Przedmieście Oławskie, for whom she gathered tips on how they can change their environment, fill it with communal actions and create more citizen-friendly space. Apart from the tips – published in a handbook – Kateřina decided to leave her mark at one of the courtyards in Przedmieście Oławskie, excluded from the revitalization. A mural by Kateřina and local artist Olczycja can become a starting point for further actions and an inspiration for citizens interested in changing current situation.