LUGA asbl

In Odendahl Park, a new gathering place has emerged: the LUGA Lab serves as a dynamic and collaborative space dedicated to social diversity, environmental education, and active citizen participation. Initiated by LUGA asbl, this project embodies a modern vision of inclusion through proximity, transforming the city into a landscape of human encounters.

A tangible response to societal challenges

In response to increasing isolation, social tensions, the privatization of public spaces, and ecological crises, LUGA aims to create environments conducive to connection. The Lab was born from the urgent need to reestablish accessible and welcoming places that bring diverse audiences together around shared concerns: nature, community living, and civic engagement.

Designed as an inclusive activity pavilion, the LUGA Lab is modular, adaptable, and participatory. It is permanently situated in an urban park, offering a program open to all ages, backgrounds, and social groups.

A vibrant and collaborative program

The LUGA Lab is not a static space. Its programming evolves monthly in partnership with numerous local organizations: social, educational, and environmental associations; citizen groups; artists; cultural collectives; and public institutions.

Activities include

• Creative workshops (crafting, gardening, sustainable sewing)
• Intergenerational meetings and family events
• Introductions to urban biodiversity and circular economy
• Public forums and civic debates
• Festive and cultural events to energize the neighborhood

The focus is on accessible and participatory formats, where every visitor can be an active participant rather than a mere spectator.

Gradual implementation with strong commitment

The LUGA Lab officially opened its doors in Odendahl Park in May 2025. Since its launch, initial activities have attracted a curious and engaged public. The team, in close collaboration with partners, has coordinated logistics and established a participatory program accessible to all. Challenges, particularly in coordinating diverse schedules among partners, have been met with LUGA's philosophy of flexibility and attentive listening, allowing everyone to find their place in the organization.

A tangible social impact

Although activities have just begun, partner feedback is already very positive. Many highlight the quality of the welcome, the clarity of the project, and especially the concrete relevance of such a space for the communities they serve.

The LUGA Lab thus becomes an anchor point for citizen and collective initiatives, fostering new collaborations, encouraging unexpected encounters, and providing a tangible place for residents, visitors, and social actors.

A long-term vision: a sustainable urban laboratory

LUGA's ambition extends beyond the 2025 season. The long-term goal is to make the LUGA Lab a permanent space, a replicable model, and an urban laboratory for reimagining inclusion and ecology.

The LUGA Lab is a space for social experimentation, where new forms of community living are tested, common ground is created through simple actions, and citizenship is practiced daily.

Guiding principle

"Bringing people together and creating connections across generations and cultures."