Omar Mirza: City Curator of Trenčín
Cities need systematic approaches, knowledge sharing, and citizen participation. They also need city curators who will correct and advance all activities. We talked on the closed Palackého Street, at our new Platform, with the city curator of Trenčín, Omar Mirza. Trenčín will become the European Capital of Culture in 2026, and Korzo Palackého is one of the events that highlights the use of streets in the city center.
Omar, we are on Palackého Street today, which is right next to the main square. What's happening here?
There's an event called Korzo Palackého. It's organized by the Creative Institute Trenčín – Trenčín 2026 in cooperation with the popular Trenčín na korze! event, the city of Trenčín, and institutions located on Palackého Street. For one day, we've opened up the entire street to people, restricted car access, and transformed it into a kind of pedestrian zone with a diverse program. We've set up parklets, which you can imagine as small platforms that transform street space into a garden, a place to relax, or a stage. We're sitting on one right now.
Your position is city curator. Many of us may not have any idea what that means. What exactly do you influence in the city?
My position has several layers. I focus on revitalizing and improving public spaces so that people feel good in the city and want to spend their free time here. At the same time, I connect the various departments at the city hall that are involved in public spaces, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goal. With Trenčín becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2026, we're creating numerous permanent and temporary art installations that complement the existing, often historical artworks in the urban environment. I also deal with various visual elements of public space, from advertising to street furniture. All of these influence how we perceive the city, so their quality is crucial. Today, we're trying to regulate all these elements.
There is an Advertising Manual in Trenčín, which you collaborated on with the Creative Institute Trenčín and Veronika Rút. Why did you turn to her specifically and how does this manual work?
We introduced the manual about two months ago. We decided to cooperate with Veronika because she created a similar manual for the Brno-Střed city district and subsequently applied it to many Czech cities. And we wanted to get advice from an expert, not reinvent the wheel, but to effectively utilize all capacities. Thanks to it, we hope to create a more cultured public space in Trenčín, businesses will have clear rules for using advertising and their signage. Bratislava and Prague also have comprehensive manuals, public space is very important. Therefore, cities need comprehensive and systematic approaches, strategic documents, so they know how to manage it.
What does the word "placemaking" mean? Do you apply it in Trenčín?
Creating vibrant, people-centered spaces is core to my work. It's about more than just building structures; it's about fostering places where people thrive. We provide the framework, and the community brings it to life. By involving residents in the process, we empower them to shape their own neighborhoods and build a stronger sense of community.
Who are you teaming up with on these projects?
We've teamed up with Veronika Rút and the MILK studio to assess visual pollution in the city. The Between studio is our partner in developing a public space manual. We're also part of the pan-European Cities in Placemaking network, alongside Rotterdam, The Hague, Budapest, Wrocław, Helsinki, Cork, and other cities. Recently, we hosted a gathering of about 20 European and Slovak experts in Trenčín. By sharing experiences, they helped us identify overlooked issues in our city and provided valuable insights into successful placemaking strategies.
What's the value of involving artists, students, and residents in planning public spaces?
Public spaces are meant for everyone, so they should cater to all ages and interests. Young people need skateparks, seniors need parks, and families need playgrounds. In short, it should be a place where everyone feels welcome. To address these needs directly, we founded the Participation Institute in Trenčín a year ago.
What part of the Trenčín 2026 program are you most excited about?
I'm thrilled to be part of creating more vibrant public spaces like Mierove (Peace) Square. It's been fantastic to see how a thoughtful renovation can completely revitalize an area. I'm eager to replicate this success and further enhance the quality of life for our residents. Trenčín has so much potential, and I believe we're just scratching the surface.
