A PLACE TO BE: International Placemaking Conference
Download the detailed Programme
Within the framework of the Eramus+ project Play/Act, the Portuguese city of Évora will be the venue for the International Placemaking Conference “A Place to Be”, scheduled for March 14 and 15. The purpose of this meeting is to share diverse perspectives, experiences, and practices related to the transformation of places through civic participation and co-design processes.
The event will feature as invited speaker Professor Ali Madanipour from Newcastle University (United Kingdom), an expert in architecture, urban design, and planning, independent researchers, urban agents, and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will present their projects and studies on placemaking initiatives.
This project has a dual objective. Firstly, the implementation of a lifelong learning course on placemaking for university students from the four associated countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Hungary). Secondly, the collaborative design and creation of public spaces, maximizing different values among participants, such as collaborative work and community revitalization. It is noteworthy that the project follows the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), whose fundamental pillars are sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion, breaking down barriers between science and technology to address social challenges.
Therefore, this conference is developed to explore transdisciplinary and community-based approaches, establishing a strong relationship with local dialogue and negotiation processes. Additionally, this action contributes to the development of entrepreneurship, as well as civic and political activism by students. Hence, for those interested in participating, the organization has issued a Call for Papers with a total of 12 thematic lines (tourism, rural areas, gentrification, crisis, conflict, participation, community participation and activism, environmental challenges, art and culture, youth activism, gender and identity, and migrants and new residents).
We invite scholars, young scholars, and independent researchers, urban agents, NGO’s representatives that would like to share and present their projects, perspectives and studies on placemaking practices.
The deadline for proposal submissions is February 7 and the date for notification of acceptance will be February 12, 2024.
Registration for participants that want to attend but not present a communication is also open.
Link for registration and proposals: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexUjDYlG4ZwDIcX5iZCSVa9Oj-bwm3MQQTFj6GQtQsGsxPVw/viewform
For more information, you can access the following link: https://playact.eu/international-conference/
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission of proposals: until February 7, 2024
Notification of acceptance: February 12, 2024
Conference: March 14 and 15, 2024, Évora, Portugal
Post-conference Placemaking event: March 16, 2024, Évora, Portugal
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Registration is free for all participants.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Leonel Alegre, UÉ-HERCULES / IN2PAST
Daniela Salazar IHA-NOVA/IN2PAST
Natália Melo UÉ-IHC
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Daniela Salazar (_ARTERIA_LAB – University of Évora)
David Ruah (Community Impact)
Angela Dibenedetto (MATERAHUB)
Blanca Monge (Junta de Extremadura)
Antonio Gordillo (Universidad de Extremadura)
Krisztina Kovács (KÉK)
Play/Act Project
Play/Act is funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union with a budget of €275,596 and a duration until March 2024. It is led by the University of Évora (Portugal) and involves the University of Extremadura and the Ministry of Economy, Science, and Digital Agenda of the Extremadura Regional Government as Spanish representatives. Other participants include Community Impact from Lisbon, Portugal; the Creative Industries Consortium of Matera Hub, representing Italy; and the Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Center or KÉK, based in Budapest.
The project aims to create and develop an interdisciplinary training plan in Higher Education, taking the “New European Bauhaus” initiative as a reference. The proposal involves a process of codesign, cocreation, and adaptation of common urban spaces, engaging students in active processes of promotion, transformation, and innovation of their own community and environment.
For more information about this initiative, you can visit their website: https://playact.eu/
