Science Café: Tactical Urbanism

Making public spaces accessible is not solely a concern for specific groups of people; rather, anyone can unexpectedly find themselves in circumstances that hinder their freedom of movement. The solution lies in an approach known as tactical urbanism, a concept that is increasingly discussed in the world of urban planning and was the focus of this June's Science Café.

In today's world, where cities are constantly growing and developing, it is crucial to prioritise the creation of environments that are inclusive and sustainable for all their inhabitants. Tactical Urbanism offers an innovative approach to rapidly and efficiently transform public spaces, creating cities that are accessible to all residents, regardless of age, gender, ability, or social status. How can tactical urbanism contribute to inclusive and sustainable urban development and help overcome the constraints faced by city dwellers?

Kristina Ullmannová is the Head of the Public space office at Prague Institute of Planning and Development. As an architect and urban planner, she holds a PhD. from Czech Technical University in Prague. After a career in the private sector and an international experience from Catalonia and US, she currently leads the Public space office in its efforts of creating liveable and walkable public space, adapting the city for climate change and focusing on a sustainable solution in a city environment with a wide range of interests.

Marie Joja is an academic at the Faculty of Architecture at Brno University of Technology, with a research focus on the temporary use and activation of abandoned spaces. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is the founder of studio Archipop, an architectural practice dedicated to placemaking and transient interventions.

Lieve De Cock, an architect and urban planner, founded LiPS [bridging Life.People.Space] in 2017. Her consultancy offers science-based, innovative solutions for complex spatial-social challenges at various scales, guided by a multidisciplinary and multicultural team. Passionate about building bridges between life, people, and space, Lieve formulates future-oriented proposals addressing diverse social issues. Her approach emphasizes creativity, feasibility, participation, co-creation, and communication, leading to shared visions and projects. Throughout her career, including her tenure at Eurostation where she rose to CEO, Lieve has excelled in managing complex projects and integrating social and political factors to benefit urban development. Under her guidance, LiPS consistently prioritizes sustainability and community in its projects.

The event was organised by the Delegation of Prague to the EU, Representation of the South Moravian Region to the EU, Czech Centre Brussels and Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research.