THE PROJECT – Urban Decolonization Walks in the EU – UDEW
The general objective of this project is to make local communities and younger generations coming from different backgrounds aware of the negative consequences of colonialism and imperialism, starting from studying the contested public monuments dedicated to this phenomenon with the citizens participation. The project will focus on the history and heritage of colonialism from a gendered and intersectional perspective. Through research events, cultural and non-formal activities, they will be able to develop critical thinking, acquire awareness on the debate around the topics addressed, on the colonial heritage as a vast European phenomenon shared by different states and which consequences are still visible in migratory movement and discriminations characterising the XX and XXI century, overcoming a polarised and stereotyped debate around this topic in favour of a shared perspective and a critical thinking approach among youngsters. In accordance with the EU anti-racism action plan for 2020-2025, UDEW will aim at combating stereotypes and racism through the acknowledgement on the historical roots of racism, focusing on tracing the consequences of colonialism and decolonisation on the perception of people coming from / descendants of former colonies in modern EU society. Furthermore, UDEW will promote the participation of young people having a racial/ethnic minority background in project activities, stimulating their protagonism in order for their voices to be heard at local/national and European level. In accordance with the anti-racism action plan, the project will also promote the involvement of public authorities in order to stimulate their contribution in informed policy choices. During this project, the young people and other citizens involved will :
Map the main public monuments and spaces dedicated to colonialism, imperialism and/or slavery in Brussels, Padua, Seville and Dresden using a simple and multimedia language
Provide educators and civil society organisation staff with a non-formal training methodology in Padua, aimed at promoting awareness on younger generations on the colonialist past.
Involve young people and local communities in non-formal training activities focused on urban spaces, with particular attention to young people coming from EU cities disadvantaged neighbourhoods and/or characterised by migratory background. To involve the public, each partner will create a series of workshops in their country.
Involve, through the action of young people, local communities and public authorities, in particular municipalities, city councils, in the development of awareness activities on the historical distortion and current perspective of past Colonialism
Promote a EU-wide initiative aimed at fostering the awareness and memory of the EU colonial past, looking at Europe in its unity, fostering the debate at the international level.
The official website for the Urban Decolonization (UDEW) project is available at this address, where you will find all the information you need: www.urbandecolonization.eu
Final event – 5 February 2026
Disrupting Colonial Narratives in Art: From Museums to Monuments in Public Space
Location: Rue de Mérode 198, Saint-Gilles, Belgium
Organised by: S-Com in collaboration with the collective Incendiarie
The national final event of the UDEW project opened with remarks by Valentina Zoccali, Director of S-Com, who introduced both the project and the broader reflection framing the evening. She emphasised that the decolonisation of cultural and public spaces is not an abstract or purely historical issue. Colonial history remains embedded in European cities—visible in street names, monuments, buildings, squares, and symbols—and continues to shape contemporary societies in concrete ways. The first phase of the project focused on mapping colonial traces in urban space. In Brussels, this work was carried out in collaboration with the association BAMKO and with Mireille-Tsheusi Robert, now President of Fémïya. Together, they identified places and visible—or sometimes more subtle—signs referring to colonial history still inscribed in public space. The results of this research were compiled into a digital platform featuring an interactive map, to which each European partner contributed with their respective city. The objective was not only to document these traces, but to provide tools enabling people to understand, question, and critically engage with colonial narratives embedded in urban environments. Building on the mapping phase, the project developed urban walks that allow participants to explore the city through a more critical and conscious lens. To support this experience, a Toolkit for Urban Decolonisation was created. It is designed for educators, activists, community leaders, and citizens who wish to engage with and transform their urban environments. The toolkit encourages individuals to reclaim the city, question the stories it tells, and actively participate in its reinvention with greater awareness and commitment. UDEW organised 20 workshops across four European countries, involving more than 200 participants, with a particular focus on young people. In Belgium, four workshops were held. In Brussels, the explorations crossed emblematic sites such as:
- Parc du Cinquantenaire
- Matongé
- Cinéma Vendôme
- Place du Trône
- The surroundings of Parc Josaphat
Each walk became a collective laboratory, where students, artists, professionals, and citizens took time to observe, discuss, and rethink urban narratives together—working toward more plural and equitable stories. A short video presented during the event offered a ten-minute synthesis of this collective journey, highlighting both the achievements of the project and its potential long-term impact.
Following the screening, the reflection continued with a public conversation entitled “Decolonising Art, from Monuments to Museums.”
The main speaker was Mireille-Tsheusi Robert, President of Fémïya, guide, trainer, and author.
Her work addresses:
- Feminism and anti-racism
- The decolonisation of folklore, art, and media
- Critical engagement with public space and museums, including the AfricaMuseum
She initiated the campaign for the restitution of African cultural heritage, which contributed to the adoption of a Belgian law on the matter. She also played a role in the creation of Square Patrice Lumumba and conducted research on the impact of the figure of Père-Fouettard on children.
In 2019, she was named “Woman of the Year” by RTBF / Les Grenades.
Her intervention highlighted the importance of confronting colonial legacies not only in museums but also in everyday public spaces, where symbolic power continues to shape collective memory.
The discussion was moderated by Francesca Giuffredi, PhD candidate in History at UCLouvain. Her doctoral research examines the impact of colonial and postcolonial history on collective memory, heritage, and European culture. She specifically studies statues and monuments linked to colonialism in Belgium and Italy, analysing how these representations shape collective identities and urban narratives.
Several key themes emerged:
- The city as a living archive of colonial memory
- The need for critical tools to reinterpret public space
- The importance of involving affected communities in processes of symbolic transformation
- The role of art as a vehicle for symbolic justice and cultural change
The event marked not only the formal conclusion of the UDEW project but also the continuation of a broader collective reflection on the decolonisation of public space.
