City Space Architecture is pleased to announce the sixth edition of the international, interdisciplinary academic conference “Past Present and Future of Public Space”, to be held on 7-9 July 2026, in a hybrid format. The conference continues a long-term commitment to advancing knowledge, debate, and action on public space as a key resource for more inclusive, democratic, and sustainable cities.

The 2024 edition, organised ten years after the first conference, marked an important anniversary in this trajectory. It brought together scholars, practitioners, policy-makers, artists, and activists worldwide, reaffirming the relevance of public space as a laboratory for innovation, civic engagement, and social justice, and consolidating a global network of collaborations initiated in 2014.
In 2026, the conference will open a new phase in this conversation, addressing pressing contemporary challenges and exploring how public space can support new forms of participation, care, and collective imagination.

The Past Present and Future of Public Space conference series has established itself as a leading international forum for examining the evolving dynamics of urban public spaces.

Members of City Space Architecture’s Scientific Committee – comprising leading international experts in urban studies, architecture, participatory governance, and public space theory – will uphold the conference’s rigorous academic standards. They will oversee the peer-review process for all submissions, ensuring that presented content meets excellence in research quality, methodological soundness, and relevance to contemporary urban challenges. Their involvement guarantees a robust platform for impactful, evidence-based dialogue at Past Present and Future of Public Space 2026.

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

The Scientific Committee includes City Space Architecture’s distinguished members of the Executive Council Board and the Scientific Committee, as well as the Geographic Coordinators.
Read more about our global community.

Luisa Bravo, Founder and President, City Space Architecture, Italy
Conference Chair
Simona Azzali, Canadian University Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Maria El Helou, Academy of Neuroscience for Cities, Environments and Design, Lebanon
Kathryn Ewing, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Simone Garagnani, University of Urbino, Italy
Krity Gera, Royal College of Art, United Kingdom
Fernando Gutiérrez, University College London, United Kingdom
Sally Hamarneh, American University of Madaba, Jordan
Şebnem Hoşkara, Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus
Emine Köseoğlu, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University, Turkey
J. Antonio Lara-Hernandez, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Paulina Lis-Meldner, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
Manfredo Manfredini, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Rossella Maspoli, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Gregor Mews, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Naveenaa Munuswamy, Global Designing Cities Initiative, India
Michelle Pannone, Marywood University, United States of America
Oscar Perrilla, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana / Um-Welt Institute, Colombia
Renelle Sarjeant, Public Space Global, Trinidad and Tobago
Jacek Ludwig Scarso, London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Hendrik Tieben, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
Parisa Ziaesaeidi, Western Sydney University, Australia

PARTICIPATION (in person and online)

A small group of public space experts will gather at the City Space Architecture headquarters, Museo Spazio Pubblico, in Bologna, while a larger audience will be engaged online, through sessions, debates and keynote lectures.
Only City Space Architecture members can participate in the in-person activities in Bologna, and a very small group of guests.

On 10 July 2026, an in-person workshop of the Public Space Academy will take place at Museo Spazio Pubblico in Bologna.

TOPICS

Morphology and Design
Historic Patterns / Suburban World / Soft Mobility / Temporary Appropriations

Multidisciplinary Fields
Art and Activism in Public Space / Public-Private Partnerships / Urban Safety for Youth / Gender Perspectives

New Approaches
Publics and their Spaces / Placemaking / Innovative Policies / Care of the Commons

Emerging Trends
Universal Design / Climate Resilience Strategies / Post-pandemic Spatial and Digital Transformations / Democracy and the Right to the City

OPEN CALLS

We are pleased to announce multiple open calls for the 2026 conference. These calls invite diverse perspectives and methodologies, continuing our tradition of fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between academia, practice, policy-making and artistic expression in the field of public space.

Research Abstracts
For research contributions exploring perspectives and approaches to public space.
SUBMISSION: Abstract proposals should not exceed 500 words and should include up to five key words. Selected abstracts will be presented at the conference during parallel sessions. Full papers will be published as proceedings in a book with an ISBN, published by City Space Architecture Press.
The best papers selected by a Scientific Committee will be included in a special issue of The Journal of Public Space (ISSN 2206-9658) to be published in 2027.
Submit on this online form.
DEADLINES
27 March 2026 / deadline for submission of abstracts
24 April 2026 / notification of accepted abstracts
19 June 2026 / deadline for submission of full papers to be included in the conference proceedings

PUBLIC SPACE AWARDS

Public Space Research Awards
For Master’s and PhD theses, recognising outstanding interdisciplinary research in public space studies.
Theses must be submitted or under discussion between 2016 and 2026.
SUBMISSION: a summary of your thesis of no more than 5000 words, including a 300-word abstract, up to five keywords and up to 10 images. Also, the submission must include a cover letter from your supervisor who can confirm that the thesis was completed and discussed between 2016 and 2026, and add a link to the website with the full text of the thesis, if available. Any additional comments on the research, in terms of its originality, interdisciplinarity, and relevance to current academic discourse, are very welcome. Both the summary and the letter must be in English.
Winning entries will be presented at the conference during a special session and recognised by City Space Architecture in the form of a certificate.
Submit by 10 April 2026 to: conference@cityspacearchitecture.org, highlighting in the subject of the email “Thesis for Public Space Research Awards”.
NOTIFICATION: Shortlisted theses will be notified by 8 May and invited to attend the conference (in Bologna or online).

Public Space Design Awards
For university students (undergraduate and master’s) worldwide, in architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, and related fields, addressing contemporary design challenges.
Design projects must have been produced as part of a university course between 2016 and 2026. Eligible projects include conceptual designs, urban strategies, and prototypes that demonstrate real-world impact.
SUBMISSION: digital portfolios in A3 landscape format (max 10 pages) with drawings, models, pictures, videos and technical explanations. Submissions must include the name of the degree course, the name of the university and its country, and the name of the instructor.
Winning entries will be showcased at the conference and recognised by City Space Architecture in the form of a certificate. They will also contribute to global discussions on innovation in public spaces.
Submit by 10 April 2026 to: conference@cityspacearchitecture.org a link to a shared folder (no password) where content can be downloaded, highlighting in the subject of the email “Portfolio for Public Space Design Awards”.
NOTIFICATION: Shortlisted projects will be notified by 8 May and invited to attend the conference (in Bologna or online).

Public Space Art Awards
For installations and performances that reimagine human interactions in public space, open to artists, collectives, and interdisciplinary practitioners.
This award recognises bold, site-specific works that provoke dialogue, foster unexpected encounters, and challenge conventional uses of urban environments – addressing themes like community bonds, spatial agency, and collective imagination. Proposals should feature temporary or ephemeral interventions that engage diverse publics, emphasising participation, accessibility, and sustainability.
SUBMISSION: digital portfolios in A3 landscape format (max 10 pages) with concept descriptions, sketches, pictures, videos, and technical outlines.
Winning entries will be showcased at the conference and recognised by City Space Architecture in the form of a certificate. They will also contribute to global discussions on innovation in public spaces.
Submit by 10 April 2026 to: conference@cityspacearchitecture.org a link to a shared folder (no password) where content can be downloaded, highlighting in the subject of the email “Portfolio for Public Space Art Awards”.
NOTIFICATION: Shortlisted art projects will be notified by 8 May and invited to attend the conference (in Bologna or online).

Public Space Short Film Awards
For short films, celebrating cinematic explorations of civic life in cities
This award is part of our Urban Visions Film Festival. We are interested in collecting narratives of different realities to investigate the connections, intersections and activities of cities while focusing on the public realm, where public aspects related to participation, sharing and social practices blend with private aspirations related to individuality, diversity and lifestyles. Urban Visions intends to collect stories of happiness and poverty, success and solitude, compliance and rebellion, moving beyond the seductive and reassuring images of the ideal city. Looking beyond the stereotypes and familiar images of consumerism, Urban Visions seeks to reveal what our eyes, whether deliberately or unconsciously, cannot see.
During a special session at the conference, we will announce the shortlisted short films. These will be screened during the festival in November 2026 (dates to be announced).
Submissions are only accepted via the FilmFreeway page of the film festival. The new call will be published on 16 March 2026 – watch this space!

WORKSHOP OF THE PUBLIC SPACE ACADEMY

10 July 2026 at Museo Spazio Pubblico, Bologna, Italy
Max 20 participants

This one-day workshop of the Public Space Academy will provide high-level training in the implementation of effective public space strategies for Master’s and PhD students, early-career researchers, and senior professionals.
Read about our previous workshops.
You can follow the Linkedin page of the Academy for news and updates.
Submit an expression of interest to attend the workshop to info@publicspaceacademy.org by 4 May 2026.

IMPORTANT DATES AND FEES***

1 – 22 May 2026 / ONLINE / early bird registration
(for authors presenting at the conference)
23 May – 12 June / ONLINE / regular registration
(for authors presenting at the conference)
1 – 22 May 2026 / IN PERSON / early bird registration
(for City Space Architecture members)
23 May – 12 June / IN PERSON / regular registration
(for City Space Architecture members)

FOR AUTHORS OF ACCEPTED ABSTRACTS / THESES / PORTFOLIOS / SHORT FILMS – attending online
Early bird registration fee: € 90,00
Early bird registration fee (ONLY for members of City Space Architecture): € 70,00
Early bird registration fee (ONLY for Master’s and PhD students): € 50,00
Early bird registration fee (ONLY for members of non-profit organisations): € 40,00
Early bird registration fee (ONLY for artists): € 30

Regular registration fee: € 140,00
Reduced registration fee (ONLY for members of City Space Architecture): € 90,00
Reduced registration fee (ONLY for Master and PhD students): € 70,00
Reduced registration fee (ONLY for members of non-profit organisations): € 60,00
Early bird registration fee (ONLY for artists): € 50

FOR MEMBERS OF CITY SPACE ARCHITECTURE – attending in person in Bologna
Early bird registration fee: € 100,00
Regular registration fee: € 140,00

FOR PARTICIPANTS (NOT AUTHORS) – attending online
Regular registration fee no later than 12 June 2026: € 50,00

FOR THE WORKSHOP OF THE PUBLIC SPACE ACADEMY (in-person only in Bologna)
Regular registration fee no later than 12 June 2026: € 140,00

*** We offer reduced fees for low-income countries. Read the list of low-income countries here. Send us an email for more information.

Contact

City Space Architecture
Non-profit cultural association
Via Paolo G. Martini 26/d
40134 Bologna, ITALY
Mobile (WhatsApp) +39 331 4173672
www.cityspacearchitecture.org / https://www.cityspacearchitecture.community

Conference Chair Dr Luisa Bravo
luisa.bravo@cityspacearchitecture.org

General information: conference@cityspacearchitecture.org