Call for Papers /// Past Present and Future of Public Space, 7-9 July 2026, Bologna and online
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Past Present and Future of Public Space
7-9 July 2026
Bologna and online
City Space Architecture is organizing the sixth academic conference “Past Present and Future of Public Space” dedicated entirely to public space.
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 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.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
This call invites 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.
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.
IMPORTANT DATES AND 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
General information: conference@cityspacearchitecture.org
PUBLIC SPACE AWARDS
Public Space Research Awards
For Master's and PhD theses, recognising outstanding interdisciplinary research in public space studies.
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.
Public Space Art Awards
For installations and performances that reimagine human interactions in public space, open to artists, collectives, and interdisciplinary practitioners.
Public Space Short Film Awards
For short films, celebrating cinematic explorations of civic life in cities
WORKSHOP OF THE PUBLIC SPACE ACADEMY
After the conference on 10 July 2026 City Space Architecture will host a workshop of the Public Space Academy (only in person).
Read about our previous workshops.
You can follow the Linkedin page of the Academy for news and updates.
This workshop 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.
We accept max 20 participants at our headquarters in Bologna, Museo Spazio Pubblico / Public Space Museum.
Submit an expression of interest to attend the workshop to info@publicspaceacademy.org by 4 May 2026.
City Space Architecture is a non-profit organization based in Bologna, Italy.
We are a partner of UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and a member of the Global Public Space Network and of the United Nations General Assembly of Partners (GAP), Research and Academia Partner Constituent Group.
We are a member of the World Economic Forum’s Davos Baukultur Alliance and of the Global Planners Network (GPN), an alliance of professional planning institutes focused on sustainable development.
We are recognised as a research organisation and listed in the Research Organisation Registry (ROR).
We do not develop commercial activities. We receive funding ONLY from membership fees, contributions, grants and donations. 100% of all donations goes towards supporting our projects and activities.
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