„What makes me happiest is seeing people actually use public space.“
Architect Hana Laššová is currently part of the Trenčín 2026 team. She works on projects focused on public space, communities, and the gradual transformation of the city. Rather than designing a single object, she looks at the city as a whole. She is interested in how people move through it, meet one another, and how they themselves can influence the places where they live.
The City reimagined project works with streets, squares, and residential neighborhoods. How do you choose the places that need attention?
It is a combination of several perspectives. For some locations, the city already had a revitalization study prepared, and temporary interventions allow us to test some of the proposed solutions in advance. At the same time, they make it possible to work with residents before the final construction solution is implemented.
Some locations were identified simply by observing the city and looking for places where even a relatively small intervention could have a greater effect. Working with the people who live there is also important. Through the Living neighborhoodsproject, we have local residents in individual neighborhoods who bring us their own ideas, and we can help them develop those ideas further.
What do you think determines whether we simply pass through a place or want to stop and stay for a while?
It is very important that people can see that someone cares for the place. It does not have to be new, but when you feel that it is maintained and that someone has a relationship with it, that also influences how others use it.
At the same time, we need to think about different groups of people. Seniors, families with children, and young people all have different needs, so I think it is important to create spaces that bring people together and can serve different purposes at different times or during different seasons. A multifunctional space like that has the potential to stay active throughout the day.
Architects, local government, and residents all come together when public space is being designed. How can their often different perspectives and needs be aligned?
I think working with data and participation is very important – bringing everyone to the same table. Local government should not only be the body that checks whether regulations are being followed; it should also be able to clearly formulate what it expects from the development of a particular area.
Data on how a place functions and what its residents need can become part of the brief for architects or urban planners. This could give cities a stronger voice in shaping their environment and protecting residents’ right to a high quality of urban life.
Trenčín is the European Capital of Culture this year. Once 2026 is over, how will you know that it truly made a difference for Trenčín?
More than individual projects, after 2026 I would like to see evidence that the years of effort were worthwhile and that they had an impact above all on local residents – their confidence and their openness to new things. The aim was not only to bring a European cultural dimension to a small city, but also to support active groups of residents in what they do and to strengthen neighborhood relationships across the city. That can later become the foundation for the next chapter in the city’s story.
As for the program itself, our organization should continue after 2026 and take over some of the existing activities. It is important that both the city and the Trenčín Self-Governing Region are talking about maintaining a certain degree of continuity.
Is continuity the biggest challenge for projects like this – making sure everything does not simply fade away once the European Capital of Culture year is over?
Yes. It is very important that someone remains who can continue supporting people. For example, Trenčín has established the Mechanism of participation, which works with residents beyond European Capital of Culture activities as well. Some neighborhood groups may eventually establish their own associations and apply for small grants.
The Creative instituteshould also continue. Of course, it will operate on a smaller scale, but it is good to know that there will still be an organization helping to safeguard further development.
In another interview, you mentioned that Slovakia’s natural landscape is one of its great strengths. Where do you see the line between developing tourism and reaching the point where development starts taking more from the landscape than it gives? After all, large development projects are now appearing even in the middle of the mountains.
It is a problem when development is concentrated in just a few of the best-known destinations. Slovakia has many lesser-known natural areas that could offer visitors a different experience while also spreading out the pressure from tourism.
I also think it is important to consider what kind of tourism we support. It does not always have to mean another wellness hotel. It could be an experience rooted in the local landscape, its people, and activities that are characteristic of the region.
When you look at the changes that have taken place in Trenčín in connection with the 2026 European Capital of Culture program, what personally brings you the most joy?
Seeing people actually use public space. Sometimes it is enough to see someone sitting in a parklet or at a neighborhood table. Of course, the things we do are not always perfect, but that is exactly why we also see them as experiments. We can see what works and what does not, and we can keep learning from it.
For me, the most important thing is probably that these places do not remain projects on paper. They begin to take on a life of their own.
