Reimagine is about community led ideas that improve the visual appearance of the local area. It's all about coming together as a community to transform laneways, urban green spaces and derelict buildings. All projects have 3 key components - idea, information, innovators and focus on an area's history, heroes and humour.
Reimagine (as Reimagine Cork) was originally conceived to tackle vacancy and dereliction. The recession left the island area of Cork City with over 100 vacant, and often derelict, sites/buildings. This high level of vacancy left some areas cut off and isolated from the city. Civic pride was at a noticeable low. The team at Reimagine decided to lead by doing and started in the Oldtown of Cork City. As they grew so did the support of Corkonians and in particular local residents. People stopped to give their views on the work and share their frustrations. It quickly became apparent that an underlying problem of social exclusion was being addressed. They tackled run down laneways, once deemed unsafe to use, that were cutting communities off from the heart of the city. Local citizens felt empowered and listened to. Reimagine Cork had restored a level of pride and given residents a voice and platform to be heard.
A well thought out idea kicks off the process. For example - a local school-led mural that tells the history the city on a run down building.
This allows the process of information to commence. The project team ensures that owners and invested stakeholders are contacted and permissions granted. It also allows the local school to research information related to the idea. Each class studies a particular period in time relating to the city (eg. St.Finbarr - 600AD, the Vikings, The Normans, 20th century)
Innovators are all about execution. A project lead identifies a team that assists with this execution. From funding the project (local paint-shop, carpenters, Council, local media) to sourcing volunteers and executing on the day. All tasks require different skillsets and subsequent innovators to ensure the idea is delivered to the high standard it was conceptualised.
