Urban Future Conference: PLACEMAKING AFTER COVID & TEMPORARY USE

Eugene will moderate a session on the many advantages of flexible spaces, and how cities, companies, building owners, and social innovators can re-imagine buildings, and inject new life into whole districts, with imaginative takeovers, however short-term. Just think of the University for Applied Arts (Angewandte) stepping into Otto Wagner's glorious Postsparkasse in Vienna...

And we have a very strong panel of experts and insiders to explore the themes and potential of this current trend. Alenka Koreniak, an Urbanist from Slovenia, and founder of Prostoroz consultancy.

As she writes on her biography page on LinkedIn, 'Tactical Urbanism. Pop-Up Urban Spaces. Soft Urbanism.

For almost 50 years, these movements have been reclaiming the right to the city—developing parallel forms of urbanism that intertwine with political action, improve public health and quality of life, reveal overlooked urban potentials, and open up new opportunities with minimal resources (both material and financial).
At Prostorož, we started 22 years ago by simply putting public space back on the city’s map. From there, our work expanded: advocating for the systematic renewal of post-war housing estates, developing sustainable mobility projects, greening cities, enabling safe walking and cycling for vulnerable groups, revitalising abandoned buildings, and creating dignified public spaces for patients.
At the moment, I advise several municipalities on how to design projects more thoughtfully and strategically—while searching for new protocols and new allies in rethinking the future of our cities.
In the current political and environmental chaos we are living through, I feel a strong need to abandon established yet ineffective planning practices and start again.'

Jan Kattein (UK) set up his studio in London in 2004 with an ambition to embrace design as an open and collaborative process. His research has established the methodology that characterises the studio's work today. His contribution transcends disciplinary boundaries and includes writing, speaking, architecture, design, urbanism and theatre.

He studied at the Bartlett School, where he was awarded a Distinction for his PG Diploma and a Commendation for his Masters. His PhD was twice nominated for a RIBA research Award. Jan’s book, The Architecture Chronicle: Diary of an Architectural Practice was published by Ashgate in 2014. Jan teaches and lectures in the UK and internationally. He also holds a lectureship at University College, London, is a member of the Institute of Place Management and the Harlow + Gilston Garden Town quality review panel.

Before setting up his own studio, Jan worked on urban regeneration projects at Jestico and Whiles and Peter Barber Architects. He grew the business from sole practitioner to a reputable and multiple award-winning regeneration practice.

Aside from his strategic role, Jan writes, draws and makes. He is also often involved in participatory design activities.

Andreas Baur, from the City of Vienna, is Head of Unit for Citizen Participation and Communication in District Planning and Land-Use Zoning. He has so much to say on temporary use as a planning and communication tool in urban planning.

Then possibly Xavi Matilla (ex Barcelona chief architect) or Lilla Gerencser (Budapest). It will be lively and we hope, inspirational.

Urban Future is a touring smart city conference, and Eugene a regular contributor.