Characteristics of urban organisers and their outdoor creative recreation in Łódź

Abstract

The concept of creative recreation is currently gaining a new meaning. The author proposes expanding the meaning of recreation to include creative recreation by drawing on insights from psycho-pedagogical theories of creativity. Nowadays creative recreation is also being explored more broadly in the context of urban space, as exemplified by workshops during which participants try to create urban space. The phenomenon of creative recreation in urban space is therefore an interesting subject for research, especially with a view to identifying factors that determine where creative activity is organised. The main research question addressed in this article is who and why organises outdoor creative recreation in urban recreational space? The study focuses on Łódź, a UNESCO Creative City of Film, which is analysed as an example of a city promoting itself as a creative urban centre. The author analyses results of interviews with experts and organisers of outdoor creative recreation, which show the latter ones as open-minded, engaged, and passionate. Other important characteristics revealed by the interviewees include cooperation with others, attempts to look for new ways of organising leisure time and new forms of mutual promotion. The organisers of outdoor creative recreation also expressed their strong attachment their city.