RELATE – leaRning Elswhere, LeArning oTherwisE – Architecture and Urban Planning – An outside curriculum. Building neighbourhood curriculum through a gaming approach.
The RELATE project brings together architects, urban designers, educators, and psychologists to explore how city spaces can become classrooms without walls — inspiring places for learning across generations, beyond formal educational institutions. Through theoretical research and case study analysis, the project examines the potential of various urban locations to serve as environments for learning and shared knowledge creation.
In 2020, UNESCO declared a global learning crisis. In response, many countries launched large-scale programs to renovate existing and build new schools. However, research shows that new infrastructure alone does not necessarily improve learning outcomes. At the same time, a question arises — should schools be the only places where learning happens?
The RELATE team believes it is essential to develop a deeper understanding of how urban spaces can be used as part of the educational process. Learning does not have to be confined within classroom walls — it can take place in streets, squares, parks, and other public spaces that bring people together and encourage the exchange of knowledge. Such spaces can become vibrant meeting points where learning occurs through interaction with the community and the environment.
RELATE gathers an interdisciplinary research team that, through theoretical work, practical examples, and case study research, investigates the potential of public spaces for learning. The project aims to identify and map urban places that foster informal learning and to develop methods for their better use.
The RELATE team conducts analyses and develops concepts of out-of-school learning in various cities, both internationally and in Serbia, with the goal of contributing to more open, creative, and inclusive urban spaces for knowledge.
