Cities around the world face many common challenges, but also remain places of inspiration and aspiration. The task for policymakers, built environment professionals and agencies is to create vibrant and liveable cities where people can and want to live and work – but also where they have a voice to help shape their city’s future.
The 2018 Open House Worldwide conference in London (31 Jan–3 Feb 2018) brought together international member city representatives, cultural and economic agencies, urban designers and architects, researchers and others to explore the key issues facing cities today. It highlighted built examples and new ways to build greater public participation in cities – especially in planning, design and regeneration – focusing on real solutions and practical examples happening around the world.
Speakers included: Dr Suzanne Hall, Director, Cities Programme, LSE,, Maria Vassilakou, Vice-Mayor and Vice-Governor, City of Vienna, Asier Abaunza Robles, Councillor for Urban Planning, Bilbao City Council, Matthew Ryder, Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, Social Mobility and Community Engagement, Dan Hill, Associate Director, Arup, Riccardo Marini, Founder, Marini Urbanismo and former Jan Gehl associate, Marten Sims, European Operations Lead, Happy City, Ali Grehan, City Architect, Dublin City Council, Malcolm Middleton, Queensland Government Architect.
This, the third Open House Worldwide conference, presented by Open City, also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first Open House initiative in London and the launch of a major new piece of its research examining the global impact of this concept.
Open House Worldwide blog 