Urban Lunch Talk: Inclusive Urban Public Space – The Dilemma

In this first episode of the JPI Urban Europe’s new webinar series Urban Lunch Talks, we will explore the urban dilemma of creating and using inclusive public space. Join the conversation!

Public space has a long tradition in European urbanism. It comes with a typical intersection between design and integration of various functions, services and interests as well as urban identity building. In times of fiscal downturns, municipalities are looking for new models to finance and manage public space – be it by private business or local stakeholder groups.

Shared and public spaces are essential for societal cohension and for overcoming the virtual and physical ‘bubbles’ within and between groups. So what kind of techniques, knowledge and practices are helpful when faced with this urban dilemma?

Using place-specific examples from cities in Eastern Europe we will dig deeper into matters of ownership and models of inclusion and engagement for sustainable change.

During this first lunch talk we will embark on the following questions:

• What is the value of using a dilemma-driven approach to issues of urban public space?
• What are the takeaways for practitioners and policymakers?
• Is public space at risk – and does it even matter?

Speakers include:

• Moderator Cissi Askwall, Secretary General, VA, who has a long and passionate experience of research communication and public engagement.
• Panellist Yvonne Franz, Mag. Dr. at Austrian Academy of Science, whose research interests lie in the fields of urban geography with focus on neighbourhood development, urban revitalisation and gentrification.
• Panellist Alenka Korenjak, architect and cofounder of prostoRož, a Slovenian cultural association with the aim to improve public urban space.
• Panellist Katarína Kristiánová, PhD at Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava with a focus on urban green spaces.

Participants from anywhere in the world may join the conversation through chat rooms, polls and Q&A sessions!

Please register here!