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The WUP Awards is a prestigious international event that celebrates best practices in parks and public open spaces from various countries around the globe. The awards encompass six categories and recognize individuals, organizations, and parks across five continents: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and South America.

The Neighbourhood Park award is specifically presented to small-scale parks (under 10 hectares) that demonstrate significant positive impact on the local community through inclusive design, environmental responsiveness, and innovative space management.

Lakuna Kota received the honor for the revitalization of the RW 07 Kopo Community Park in Bandung. This park, covering an area of 84 m², was previously a neglected lost space—an unmaintained and unused public area.

Supported by the S²Cities (Safe & Sound Cities) 2023/2024 program, Lakuna Kota collaborated with the residents of RW 07 Kopo to regenerate the space into a multifunctional neighbourhood park. The project utilized an integrated approach involving participatory design charrette, placemaking, and tactical urbanism strategies.

“For us, this award is not just about the achievement itself, but proof that a small effort at the community level can be recognized globally. We are grateful that the revitalization process of Taman Kopo, which was carried out alongside local residents, youth, children, and many stakeholders, is seen as an excellent example of how public space can be built through genuine participation,” stated the Lakuna Kota team.

The Lakuna Kota team emphasized that this international recognition reinforces their belief in the importance of community involvement for effective, appropriate, and sustainable public space regeneration. They hope the award will encourage Kopo residents to continue maintaining the park and inspire other communities to trust in participatory design processes and grassroots collaboration.

With this success, Lakuna Kota demonstrates that urban innovation and participatory design can achieve international accolades, proving that even small-scale initiatives can deliver significant impact.