In 2024 we partnered with Pratt Institute in New York City for the organisation of the international symposium “Public Space Challenges: from theory to practice to policy” on 25-27 April 2024, to take place at the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn campus. This symposium was an opportunity to present our work to an American audience and to discuss current challenges for public space, from theory to practice to policy, with high-profile experts.
The symposium was part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of City Space Architecture. Read more about our anniversary here.

Statement from our President Dr Luisa Bravo:
Public space is a key element for sustainable urban development. Despite its broad and context-specific meaning, public space is the social glue that can contribute to advancing mutual trust, cooperation, and solidarity. However, too often public space is not listed as a primary question in the urban agendas of politicians and local governments, but rather as a collateral component, mostly intended as design activity related to landscape urbanism or infrastructure facilities. Major concerns for cities and built environments are defined through different categories and expertise related to housing, services, infrastructure, environmental issues, and technological solutions that also generate investment and provide funding opportunities While academic research on public space is well established through cross disciplinary approaches and investigation, there is a lack of interest or an unprepared expertise in defining a comprehensive urban strategy for local implementation, that is built around humans and their life in the public domain.

Co-organizers
City Space Architecture
Pratt Institute, Urban Placemaking and Management
Read about previous collaboration here.

Co-hosts
Luisa Bravo, Founder and President
City Space Architecture

David Burney, Academic Director
Pratt Institute, Urban Placemaking and Management

PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE

DAY 1 – Thursday 25 April 2024
Panel 1: Academic Perspectives on Public Space (research)
Panel 2: Educational Perspectives on Public Space (teaching)

DAY 2 – Friday 26 April 2024
Panel 3: Design and Policy-oriented Perspectives on Public Space (design and implementation)
Panel 4: Art and Cultural Perspectives on Public Space (process)

DAY 3 – Saturday 27 April 2024
Workshop: Anatomy of Public Space. Do you know your urban body?
Cinema event: Urban Visions Film Festival

All photos by Elettra Giulia Bastoni, graphic design by Lorella Pierdicca, LLdesign.it

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