Co-design for new forms of urban living

In the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the Architects’ Council of Europe, the Federal Chamber of German Architects (Bundesarchitektenkammer - BAK), the European Council of Town Planners (ECTP) and the Institute for Spatial Policies (IPoP) will hold a joint virtual workshop on Wednesday 14 October 2020 from 4.30pm to 6pm (CET).

Urbanisation, climate change and the housing crisis require new forms of habitat and urban space to be designed. Quality projects can only emerge from interdisciplinary discourse, innovative funding schemes as well as the active participation of informed citizens. By putting people at the heart of the design process, citizens are empowered to participate in the creation and regeneration of the urban fabric. They help decision-makers to understand communities' needs and thus to achieve socially and economically sustainable projects.

The session will aim to discuss challenges inherent to participatory approaches, through the presentation of concrete projects, but also good practice examples of how civil society can organise itself to influence the design of the built environment. Special focus will be put on small and medium cities. Ultimately, the workshop will aim to consider a possible methodology for effective participatory design processes.