SET-PED Project in Sector 6 – The first stages of a participatory urban process
- setpedproject
- Dec 4, 2025
- 5 min read
In Bucharest–Sector 6, the first stages of the European SET-PED project were carried out through a collaborative process coordinated by Urbasofia , the City Hall of Sector 6 and the civic initiative ÎntreVecini . Together, these three organizations built a solid co-creation framework, analyzed the Crângasi–Lacul Morii area in detail and activated a local network of actors supporting the development of a prototype of circular urban furniture, powered by solar energy , to be tested in Crângasi Park.
By combining technical expertise, local government perspective, and community anchoring, Sector 6 becomes an example of a participatory urban process, oriented towards sustainable and inclusive solutions.
Co-creation as a central methodology (according to the SET-PED framework)
The co-creation phase established the methodological framework that guides the local implementation of SET-PED. The working principles, relevant actors and how they contribute to the identification of needs, the modeling of use scenarios and the validation of decisions were defined. The framework includes clear steps – understanding the context, community involvement, site assessment and preparation of co-design – so that each intervention is both technically and socially sound.
Through this process, Sector 6 established a common working basis between the administration, universities, experts and the community, facilitating coherent collaboration in the following stages.
Evaluation of public spaces and selection of the optimal location
To identify the optimal location of the prototype, the Crângași–Lacul Morii area was analyzed from three perspectives: community perceptions, technical observations, and participatory assessment.
2.1. West Side Flower Fest – Real Community Perceptions
The first stage consisted of collecting residents' impressions in an accessible and relaxed context. At the SET-PED booth installed during the West Side Flower Fest , visitors were invited to mark on maps:
the routes I use daily,
areas where they feel comfortable or, on the contrary, unsafe,
places where there is a lack of shade, lighting or socializing opportunities,
spaces where they would like innovative solar-powered furniture.
The community has clearly indicated: Crângasi Park is intensely used and appreciated, but it has areas that could benefit from more climatic comfort, more visibility, and more resting places.
2.2. Technical analysis and field observations
Based on data collected from the community, the technical team conducted an in-depth urban assessment of the Crângasi–Lacul Morii area. This included:
pedestrian flow analysis,
the quality and continuity of sidewalks,
the level of lighting and visibility,
the degree of use throughout the day,
solar exposure and microclimate,
the potential for placing a modular prototype.
Three possible locations for implementation have been identified:
the space in front of the Gymnasium School no. 167,
an area of Crângasi Park,
a small playground near the school.
Following the observations, a clear situation emerged: the school area has urgent needs, but is limited by conflicts of use and risk of discomfort for residents, while the park offers an open, safe and compatible setting for testing an energy-autonomous prototype.
2.3. UAUIM Workshop – Participatory Validation of Sites
To complement the technical analysis, a co-creation workshop was organized with UAUIM students , using the Her City methodology. Participants evaluated the three locations based on criteria such as:
accessibility and quality of pedestrian mobility,
perceived safety day and night,
diversity of users,
the functionality of the space and the activation potential,
the solar exposure required for a solar-powered prototype.
The result was convergent: Crângasi Park is the space that offers the best balance between intensive use, safety, visibility, comfort and technical potential. The location allows both testing the prototype and observing how the community uses it, without generating conflicts with nearby housing.
Activating the local network of actors
The last stage of this first phase of the project aimed at building a local network of actors capable of supporting the process of co-creation, analysis and implementation. The network was designed in a layered manner, to bring together:
institutional actors with a decision-making role (Sector 6 City Hall and its departments),
universities and research institutes,
companies in the circularity chain and in technical fields,
NGOs, civic initiatives, schools and local communities.
This structure functions as a coordination system: it validates decisions, ensures coherence between community needs and technical requirements, and provides a stable framework for future phases of the project. The network is dynamic, constantly updated as new relevant partners emerge or as creative stages are advanced.
The activation of the network also allowed the alignment of City Hall departments with external experts and the community, so that the prototype that will be installed in Crângasi Park would be not only technically feasible, but also socially accepted and easy to maintain.
In addition to local coordination activities, the network was also strengthened by participating in events dedicated to the involvement of urban communities. During the international workshop “How can apartment blocks become places of connection?” , the ÎntreVecini initiative presented its experience in SET-PED , showing how activating communities in apartment blocks can support co-creation processes and bring residents closer to the future prototype in Sector 6. The event provided a relevant context to highlight the value of participatory approaches in the transformation of urban spaces.
4. Stages carried out in Sector 6
The SET-PED process in Bucharest–Sector 6 has progressed through three main stages, each documented by specific reports that can be consulted in detail.
1. Establishing the co-creation framework
This stage defined the working methodology, the principles of co-creation and the way of organizing the actors involved. The necessary steps for assessing the urban context, engaging the community and preparing the participatory design process were clarified.
2. Analysis of public spaces and selection of the optimal location
The Crângasi–Lacul Morii area was assessed from a technical and social point of view, based on field observations, engagement activities and a workshop with UAUIM students. The integrated analysis led to the recommendation of the final location in Crângasi Park for testing the prototype.
3. Activation of the local network of actors
A multi-stakeholder network has been consolidated, bringing together administration, academia, technical experts, civic organizations, and local communities. This structure ensures the coordination of the process, the validation of decisions, and the integration of the project into the plans and priorities of Sector 6.
Conclusion
Through these first steps, Sector 6 built a solid foundation for the development of solar-powered circular urban furniture. The process was guided by co-creation, integrated the perspective of residents, used rigorous technical assessments, and relied on a functional local network.
In 2026, the project enters the creative phase, in which use scenarios, design and prototyping will transform the conclusions of these analyses into a real intervention, located in Crângasi Park.
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