Public Space Challenges Symposium & Workshop

Public Space Challenges.

From theory to practice to policy

International Symposium + Workshop

New York City, 25-26-27 April 2024 
Venue: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn campus
61 St James Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11238

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 https://www.cityspacearchitecture.org/ 
David Burney, Academic Director
Pratt Institute, Urban Placemaking and Management
https://www.pratt.edu/architecture/graduate-center-for-planning-and-the-environment/urban-placemaking-and-management-ms/

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.

4 PANEL DISCUSSIONS / Participants: up to 50 people (including students) for each panel
1 WORKSHOP + 1 CINEMA EVENT / Participants: up to 50 people (including students)

The event is open to the public.

DAY 1 – Thursday 25 April 2024

2pm Welcome

2.30pm – 4.30pm / Higgins Auditorium
Panel 1: Academic Perspectives on Public Space (research)
Description: Public space research calls for an integrative approach to understand the role of shared spaces in the urban environment and their contributions to cultural, social, and environmental well-being within communities. In response to the challenges associated with the privatization of public space, panelists will engage in discourse around topics that shape the character of communities such as access, inclusivity, power dynamics, democratic values, and participatory approaches. Drawing from their own work and research will form a rich dialogue on the complex interplay between advocacy and design interventions to address ecological approaches and climate transition for sustainable development.

Topics

1. Privatization of public space
2. Social justice, democracy and citizen engagement 
3. Ecological and climate transition for sustainable development

Introduction: Luisa Bravo, City Space Architecture, Italy
The Journal of Public Space
https://www.journalpublicspace.org

Moderator: Jacek Ludwig Scarso, London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Panelists: 
Miodrag Mitrasinovic, Parsons School of Design, USA
Setha Low, City University of New York, The Graduate Center, USA
Andrew Rudd, UN-Habitat, Office of New York, USA
Zehra Kuz, Pratt Institute, USA

4.30pm – 5.00pm Coffee break

5pm – 7pm / Higgins Auditorium

Panel 2: Educational Perspectives on Public Space (teaching)
Description: Teaching methodologies around public space education require an interdisciplinary approach to address the complexity of issues that face the public realm. Drawing from fields such as urban planning, anthropology, architecture, sociology, and environmental studies, panelists will engage in discourse around methodologies and tools for a more equitable public realm. From a variety of nonprofits, companies, and universities, the approaches will all share the open-minded and innovative strategies for effective implementation of public space education initiatives.

Topics

1. Interdisciplinary approach to public space complexity
2. Re-inventing methodologies and tools for a more equitable public realm
3. Open-minded and innovative strategies for effective implementation

Introduction: Luisa Bravo, City Space Architecture, Italy

Public Space Academy
https://www.publicspaceacademy.org

Moderator:  Lance J Brown, Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization, USA
Panelists: 
Alice Covatta, University of Montreal, Canada
Anna Rubbo, Columbia University, Center for Sustainable Urban Development, The Climate School, USA
Michelle Pannone, Marywood University, USA
David Burney, Pratt Institute, USA

DAY 2 – Friday 26 April 2024

2pm Welcome 

2.30pm – 4.30pm / Higgins Auditorium
Panel 3: Design and Policy-oriented Perspectives on Public Space (design and implementation)
Description: Design and policy are interconnected in the pursuit of effective implementation in the public realm. Panelists will discuss implications for designing public spaces with inclusion, diversity, and universal accessibility in mind, ensuring equitable access and participation for marginalized populations. This panel will bring to light flexible design strategies and community-driven initiatives, such as temporary and spontaneous interventions that activate the public. 

Topics

1. Publicness of the public realm
2. Temporary and spontaneous interventions: activating the public 
3. Inclusion, diversity and universal accessibility

Introduction: Luisa Bravo, City Space Architecture, Italy

Mastering Public Space
https://www.masteringpublicspace.org

Moderator: David Burney, Pratt Institute, USA
Panelists: 
Alison Sant, Studio for Urban Projects, USA
David Green, ARUP New York, USA
Stephen Davies, Place Solutions Group, USA
Elizabeth Goldstein, MAS Municipal Art Society of New York, USA
Eduarda Aun, Global Designing Cities Initiative, USA

4.30pm – 5.00pm Coffee break

5pm – 7pm / Higgins Auditorium

Panel 4: Art and Cultural Perspectives on Public Space (process)
Description:  In advocating for inclusive and participatory approaches to placemaking, art and cultural perspectives play a transformative role in the identity and significance of public spaces. This panel will center around the dynamic relationship between art, culture, and public space. Panelists will discuss the collaborative nature of these types of activities, the potential for co-production and participatory placemaking, wherein community members alongside artists and local stakeholders work together to design and activate public spaces.

Topics

1. Creative practices in public space
2. Co-production and participatory placemaking
3. Public art and the role of artists in the construction of identities and meanings

Introduction: Luisa Bravo, City Space Architecture, Italy

Museo Spazio Pubblico [Public Space Museum]
https://www.museospaziopubblico.it

Moderator: Tim Tompkins, New York University, USA

Panelists: 
Jacek Ludwig Scarso, London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Deborah Marton, Van Alen Institute, USA
Elena Madison, Project for Public Spaces, USA
John Bela, Bela Urbanism, USA
Ryan Smolar, PlacemakingUS, USA

DAY 3 – Saturday 27 April 2024 

10.00 Welcome
10.30am – 1.00pm

Room  210 Main Hall 
Workshop: Anatomy of Public Space. Do you know your urban body? 
https://www.masteringpublicspace.org/anatomy-of-public-space

Introduction: Luisa Bravo, City Space Architecture, Italy
Shaping Human Environments with
Federico Messa, Transform Transport, Italy
Valeria Pagliaro, LAND Canada

Light lunch 1.00 – 2.30pm

2.30 – 5.00pm

Room 210 Main Hall

Cinema event: Urban Visions Film Festival
https://visioniurbane.stream
in collaboration with UnionDocs Center for Documentary Art

Introduction: Luisa Bravo, City Space Architecture, Italy
Urban Humanities Beyond the Ideal City
with
Christopher Allen, UnionDocs, USA
Living Los Sures

Produced over 5 years by 60 artists at UnionDocs Center for Documentary Art, LIVING LOS SURES is an expansive project about the Southside of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Known by its long-term Latino residents as Los Sures, the neighborhood was one of the poorest in New York City in the late 70s and early 80s. In fact, it had been called the worst ghetto in America. Today, it is the site of a battle between local identity and luxury lifestyle. With the restoration of LOS SURES, a brilliant work of cinéma vérité filmmaking as a starting point, the project has developed into a collection of 40 SHORT FILMS, the interactive documentary 89 STEPS, and the cinematic people’s history SHOT BY SHOT, demonstrating new possibilities for collaboration between an arts institution and its surrounding community to collect memories and share local culture.

Pam Sporn, Grito Productions, USA
Detroit 48202: Conversations Along a Postal Route
Detroit 48202: Conversations Along a Postal Route is a looks at the rise, demise, and contested resurgence of Detroit through the eyes of Wendell Watkins, an African American mailman, and the committed community he faithfully served for 30 years.

Chris Nicols, XFR Collective, USA
Screening of selected short films from the Urban Visions Film Festival, promoted by City Space Architecture and part of the European project A-Place, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.