The City Invites: Open House Europe Annual Summit – Panel Discussions

9:45-11:30am, The City Belongs – Participatory democracy in city design and planning

This conversation explores the social and transformative potential of participatory democracy in design and urban planning in Europe’s cities. The aim is to explore how community involvement in decision-making creates more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable places. The panel will highlight strategies and share examples for empowering citizens to shape the environments they inhabit and uncover how collaboration between citizens, government actors, planners, and designers can transform not just the built environment but the way we connect and thrive as communities.

This panel will be joined by Aliénor Saint-Cast, Head of Studies at Plateau Urbain; Marta Ribera Carbó, European Project Director of The Shift; Ailbhe Cunningham, Architect and Founder of Ample Space; Akil Scafe-Smith and Seth Scafe-Smith, Co-Directors of Resolve Collective.

Moderated by Manijeh Verghese, CEO of Open City.

---------------------------------------------------------

12-1:30pm, The City Reused – Unlocking potential in the city that is already built

This panel unlocks the innovative potential of reuse and creative adaptation in transforming structures, buildings, and spaces for cultural and creative use. By reimagining what already exists we can preserve our cultural heritage, reduce environmental impact, and breathe new life into spaces, making them accessible and welcoming to everyone. The discussion will highlight creative solutions to urban challenges, accessible innovations, and the impact on climate action, civic and cultural pride, and community resilience.

This panel will be joined by Barbora Ponešová and Marie Joja, Architects and Placemakers in Archipop; Timo Hauge, Head of the Industrial Heritage Team at Department for Culture, Sports and Industrial Heritage at Regionalverband Ruhr; Matthew Griffin and Britta Jürgens, Co-Founders of Deadline Architects; and Daniel Bell, Architect at Atelier LUMA.

Moderated by Cormac Murray, Architect, Lecturer at TU Dublin, and Series Editor at TYPE.

---------------------------------------------------------

3-4:30pm, The City Includes – Housing for a city, accessible to all

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises the right of disabled people to adequate housing and to be included in the community. Article 19 affirms that disabled people have the right to live independently and to make their own choices on where and with whom they live. In practice, though, many disabled people cannot find housing to suit their needs and experience barriers to accessing housing, such as long waiting lists, unaffordability, and a lack of suitable housing. With experts by profession and experience, this panel explores how best to ensure that the principles of universal design are applied to design and construction. How do we ensure that services and support are there for people to live independently in their communities?

This panel will be joined by Fíonnadh McGonigle, Standards and Monitoring Officer at the National Disability Authority and Centre for Excellence in Universal Design; Nicola Ryan, Co-Director of Studio Red Architects; Jack Kavanagh, Director of Move the Needle; John Fulham, Public Engagement Manager at the Irish Wheelchair Association; and Felix Hemmers, Project Manager and curator at Baukultur Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Moderated by Louise Bruton, Freelance journalist, disability rights activist, DJ, and playwright.

---------------------------------------------------------

About Open House Europe
Open House Europe is a cooperation project that connects Open House festival organisers across Europe and enables their collaboration and knowledge exchange. By encouraging and promoting an interest in architecture among various audiences, Open House Europe helps residents gain new perspectives on their local surroundings and invites them to envision the shared future of European architecture.