For centuries, the Vilkpėdė area in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius was abundant in natural beauty. Here, water from the springs of forested erosional hills once flowed through the valley in streams, reaching the bends of the Neris River. However, in the last century, Vilkpėdė’s valley became a convenient site to industrialize, its streams were canalized, and the Neris was largely forgotten. But it is still here! The potential for change in the district is obvious: it is close to the city center, and since 2021, the municipality has allowed and even encouraged the development of residential and commercial projects here. The diverse activities historically typical of old towns do not need to be created from scratch. After Lithuania regained independence, Vilkpėdė’s industry began to shrink naturally, and over the last decade, it has been relocating to the outskirts. At the same time, the remaining community of blacksmiths, wheelwrights, repairmen, and press workers is slowly being joined by designers, programmers, and other professionals. Our connection with Vilkpėdė is not accidental. After discovering that the former premises of a concrete structure factory were looking for new owners, we settled there ourselves a few years ago and invited dozens of other businesses to the newly revitalized neighborhood. Between railway tracks, silo towers, and an ancient stream currently hidden in the piping system. But why not bring that stream back into the valley – and the valley back into the city? Together with like-minded people, we have been inviting property owners and other interested parties to look at Vilkpėdė with fresh eyes for several years now. Almost every day, we show neighbors and Vilnius residents that things can be “different” here: more humane, cosier, fresher. A bush, a wooden bench, a patched-up pothole, a renovated workshop facade, a new office, an art storage space, a medical center – all these small changes, drop by drop, are bringing Vilkpėdė closer to the critical mass after which the big changes become unstoppable. We do not claim an official city position, but we invite Vilnius residents and fans to dream and discuss how Vilkpėdė could look in 2080. In our district vision, water returns to Vilkpėdė: with natural, leisure, and residential spaces along the Neris river, new bridges to the other side of it, active river navigation, and newly formed bays and channels. With un-canalized streams that are meant to refresh, not be hidden. Maybe with even a port, which, by the way, was started to be built in Vilkpėdė after the war.

Since the 14th century, the seal and coat of arms of Vilnius have featured Saint Christopher with the infant Jesus on his shoulder, in one form or another. Water in the Vilnius coat of arms is depicted symbolically, evoking the rivers that flow through the city. The Neris and Vilnia rivers not only shaped the city’s geography but also played crucial roles in trade, communication, and urban life. Interestingly, some older versions of the Vilnius coat of arms feature sailboats, suggesting a possible water route to the Baltic Sea. Although Vilnius’ waterways are no longer as vibrant as they once were, the city’s historical relationship with water is clear and ripe for revival.