Last November 9, 2013 our "Past present and future of public space" international research project was presented in a public symposium and exhibition at the Quartiere San Vitale, Municipality of Bologna.
Students from University of Bologna and University of Florence discussed about public space referring mainly to the city of Bologna, presenting results from research activities. Using provocative images and a conceptual approach, they tried to establish a new perception of the public realm, both for the historic centre and the suburb. By twinning central and peripheral public spaces, mixing their functions and enhancing their potentialities through a network of urban sequences, they tried to underline similarities and differences between different places, thus suggesting new ways through which they could benefit each one with another.
An urban regeneration strategy for the Via Emilia, the territorial public space backbone, was presented. Working on a lighter, quicker, cheaper approach, suggesting simple improvements of places, proposing a large involvement of residents, associations and ordinary people as main performers in the design and transformation process, the project develops a new vision for this 12 Km long public space as a means for reconnecting citizens to public life, in the city centre and suburbs.
Invited speakers from University of Bologna presented different research projects, currently underway, related to art (Pop-up city) and technology (Hic svnt leones) as tools to describe embedded values in the contemporary public realm.
A final round table with scholars, public administrators and professionals opened a discussion about the role of architects and planners in those processes that transform places in which we live every day. How to design or regenerate spaces able to attract people and promote vibrant activities? A new awareness and cultural knowledge of the contemporary city needs to be established, referring to the urban and suburban contexts as part of the same whole, where opportunities can be shared in order to achieve a common good.

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Next Saturday, November 9, 2013 in Bologna a symposium and exhibition from our "Past present and future of public space" international project will take place at the Quartiere San Vitale, in vicolo Bolognetti 2, Sala Silentium, 10am. Look at the map to know where the place is.
Bologna and its public spaces will be the main subject of the discussion. Students from University of Bologna and from University of Florence will present and exhibit results of research activities and of a graduation master thesis, scholars from University of Bologna will offer a preview of multidisciplinar research initiatives regarding contemporary issues of public space, through art and technology. A round table discussion will involve academics, public administrators, architects and urban designers, in order to share different point of views and perspectives.

The event is developed under the patronage of the Quartiere San Vitale, Municipality of Bologna and the Department of Architecture, University of Bologna.

[To download the program of the symposium, click on the image]

Past Present and Future of Public Space International Conference

Bologna, Italy, 25-27 June 2014

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At the Biennale dello spazio pubblico in Rome (May 2013, 16-18) our working team presented research and activities developed during past months related to the project "Past present and future of public space",  in collaboration with international scholars. 

In Rome a call for proposals has been launched, intended to invite scholars, architects, urban designers, planners, photographers and artists to join the project, submitting papers and materials related to the main 4 themes, choosing between 16 topics.
The deadline for abstract proposal is 4 November 2013 -> EXTENDED 20 December 2013.

This survey is part of a research project developed by Dr. Luisa Bravo, during her appointment as postdoctoral research associate at the Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, Italy (2009-2014).
The research project is about public spaces and urban daily life in the contemporary dimension of the city, both for consolidated and suburban areas. Starting from case studies in Europe and particularly in Italy, Dr. Bravo developed her work regarding suburban areas as Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Urban and Regional Development (IURD), University of California Berkeley.

A special issue (#1/2013) of the e-journal "IN_BO. Ricerche e progetti per il territorio, la città e l'architettura", published at the Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, collects research and teaching activities of different scholars involved in our "Past present and future of public space" international project.

The special issue of "IN_BO" was presented and discussed at the Biennale dello spazio pubblico, during an international session, at the Faculty of Architecture Roma TRE, on May 18, 2013.

The e-journal is bilingual (Italian/English), the default language of the platform is Italian. To read it in English switch the language on the top right menu, using preferably Mozilla Firefox.