The research has started with observing and identifying some of the off grid areas in Vilnius, finding them in multiple scales and forms within the urban fabric. Some – very central and open, next to the newly designed city parks, some – on the outskirts of the city, some – gone or unaccessible anymore due to the ongoing urbanization processes, observed just within the few months of the research period, confirming researcher\u2019s Rene Boer words in his \u201cSmooth City\u201d article, that \u201ccities are increasingly becoming smooth, scripted and completed urban landscapes, apparently freed from any kind of imperfection, abnormality or friction.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting into the field research of the selected freezones – left coast of the river Neris, coasts of Vilnele at Sereikiskiai park, and Antakalnio Silo forest – it has been observed that those unscripted spatial city fragments are dislocated not only physically, but also socially and psychologically within the urban context. They are always kinetic, transforming and unpredictable. Human and non-human encounters are unavoidable. Walking becomes very topographic and at times extremely challenging. Emotional and sensorial engagement makes you be \u201cpresent\u201d and aware all the time. This uncontrollable reality, allowing you to have an authentic experience every-time you visit the site, is something very different from what you get in any regular planned public city space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n