The Old Bazaar in Skopje is an active merchant area, important for both citizens of Skopje and the tourism industry. As part of the EU Horizon 2020 project ROCK, a regeneration process has been initiated that combines participatory processes, providing new uses for underutilized parts of the Bazaar and a focus on ICT to preserve and reinvigorate the Old Bazaar. Central to this was supporting the traditional crafts still practised in the market while introducing new ones emerging from contemporary creative industries.
The Old Bazaar in Skopje is the beating heart of the historic town centre. Merchant activities have been ongoing in the area since the 12th century. As one of the biggest bazaars in the Balkan region, it is an important meeting point for both the local community and visitors to the area. Several fires and earthquakes have hit the bazaar throughout the centuries. Consequently, parts of the bazaar have been destroyed and rebuilt in different eras, making it a showcase of the many multi-cultural layers of the city’s history. [5] In recent times, the bazaar had to deal with unstructured development and neglect. The city of Skopje has initiated several development initiatives since 2010 but with limited success. [2;4] Even though the Old Bazaar is formally recognized as a Cultural Heritage of Special Importance, an absence of reinforcement on this has led to the devaluation of the existing cultural heritage. [2;3] To reverse this trend, the Skopje Urban Living Lab (SkULL) was opened as part of the EU Horizon 2020 project ROCK (Regeneration and Optimisation of Cultural heritage in creative and Knowledge cities). [2]
SkULL has focused on supporting the traditional crafts still practised in the market and introducing new ones emerging from the contemporary creative industries. Three pillars were maintained throughout the activities: First, a participatory approach was central to all activities to overcome dysfunctional communication structures. This was facilitated by a newly introduced data infrastructure that enabled open data access to all stakeholders involved in the development process. Second, activities were centred around finding new applications and uses for underutilized parts of the protected heritage area. Third, attention was paid to how ICT can support the development of cultural heritage and new economic activities. [2;3]
A wide range of activities have been undertaken to put all of this into practice. Thematic meetings and debates were organized with a range of different stakeholders, as well as open lectures and presentations. Several open calls were launched, among others, to gain insight into the historical layers of the bazaar and on the re-interpretation of traditional crafts in a contemporary manner. ICT incubators and collaborative workspaces were established. Permanent and temporary exhibitions have been organized around the history of the bazaar and its re-use. A hackathon was organized to help tackle environmental and sustainability issues of the bazaar. Furthermore, through the ROCK-project, several events have been organized around sharing best practices and experiences from different cities. [2;3]
So far, the project has resulted in new collaborations between stakeholders, the engagement of new stakeholders in the development of the area, including citizens, and a boost for the role of technological and creative industries in regeneration of the area, as well as an improved tourism offer. [2;3]
The Old Bazaar is in shared ownership of both the City of Skopje and the municipalities of Centar and Chair. In the past, this has complicated the development of the area. Therefore, one of the main points of attention of the ROCK-project has been to create cooperation between different stakeholders, including the local government and politicians, business owners, artists and creatives, community members and researchers. [2;3]
To continue the successful activities developed through the ROCK-project, the City of Skopje and the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University have established the Development Institute Skopje Foundation. The foundation will cooperate with a range of existing organisations, like the Skopje Urban Centre, Skopje Innovation LAB, Social Entrepreneurship HUB, Creative Industries LAB, NGO Incubator and Smart&Digital Skopje to continue and develop activities around the Old Bazaar and throughout the city of Skopje. [2]
The ROCK-project has provided the necessary funding to initiate the activities mentioned above. The incubation period of the Development Institute Skopje Foundation will be supported through funding from the City of Skopje. [2]
Skopje Urban Living Lab (SkULL), initiative website, skopje.rockproject.eu/skull/, accessed on 11/02/2022
Faculty of Architecture, SsCyril and Methodius University (2020), Open Door Skopje Urban Living Lab, Edited by Jasmina Siljanoska & Vlatko PKorobar, available on onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=35A756EB8613959F%21902&authkey=%21AIWYjRPPqpIOr_s&page=Download, accessed on 11/02/2022
Siljanoska, J(2020)Urban Living Labs for Sensitive City Cultural Heritage Regeneration, 7th International Academic Conference, 10.18485/arh_pt.2020.7.ch19.
Ministry of Finance (2010), Revitalisation and Adaptation of Shengjul (Gjulshen) Hamam into a Cultural-Info Centre, CRIS number 2010/022-264, available on ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/system/files/2016-12/1.4._pf_cultural_heritage.pdf, accessed on 11/02/2022
Department for local and economic development City of Skopje [n.d.], The Old Bazaar Skopje, skopje.mk/old-bazaar/, accessed on 11/02/2022