EGM Programme

Sunday, 12 January

Participants check in at Hotel Ponte Sisto, via dei Pettinari  64
19:30-22:00
Welcome buffet dinner at Hotel Ponte Sisto


Monday, 13 January
Opening and Sessions I-IV – City’s Commission on Urban Transformations, via del Turismo 30
09:00
Walking to the meeting – Public spaces in Rome’s Historic Centre
09:00
Departure from hotel
Walking the Palimpsest. Ancient, Renaissance, Baroque and Fascist Modernism: via Giulia – Piazza Farnese – Campo de’ Fiori – via dei Giubbonari – Portico d’Ottavia – Teatro di Marcello – Capitoline Hill – Piazza Venezia. Guide: Ann Pulver.
09:30
Healing Old Wounds - Facing Present Challenges: walk along the Via dei Fori Imperiali and illustration of the Rome Municipality’s pedestrianization project.
10:00
Departure from the Colosseo Metro Stop, direction EUR.
10:15
Arrival at EUR, EUR Magliana Metro Stop.
Walk through the park and by EUR landmarks to the office of the City’s Assessorato alle Trasformazioni Urbane, via del Turismo 30.
10:45-11:00
Coffee Break
11:00
Opening Session, Sala Conferenze, Ground Floor.
11:00
11:00-11:15

Welcome Addresses
Prof. Arch. Giovanni Caudo, City Commissioner for Urban Transformations
Thomas Melin, Head, External Relations Division, UN-Habitat
11:15-11:30
Round of brief presentations of EGM participants
11:30-11:50
Introduction to the UN-Habitat and INU Collaboration
Thomas Melin, UN-Habitat
Introduction to the Expert Group Meeting
Pietro Garau, Istituto Nazionale di Urbanistica (INU), EGM co-chair

11:50-13:15
Session I: Building Blocks for a Global Public Space Policy (reference: Framework Document, Introduction)
11:50-12:00
Placing Public Space in the Global Agenda for Sustainable Urban Development
Thomas Melin, UN-Habitat
12:00-12:15
The Charter of Public Space
Pietro Garau, INU
12:15-12:30
UN-Habitat’s work on Public Space: Policy and Operational Considerations
Laura Petrella, Leader, City Planning, Extensions and Design Unit, UN-Habitat, EGM Co-chair
12:30- 13:15
Discussion

·        Why develop a global policy framework for public space?
·        What principles should be part of a global policy framework on public space?
·        Can the Charter be used as the first building block for an overall policy framework?
·        Where should a policy framework stop and a “Global Public Space Toolkit” begin?
13:15-14:15

Lunch Break
Caffe’ Palombini, Piazzale Konrad Adenauer 12 (around the corner)
14:15-14:45
Session I Continued – The Toolkit:  Proposed Framework

The proposed structure of the Toolkit and its format will be discussed.
The requirements for the online version and the printed version identified.

14:45-16:00
Session II - Definition and Typologies of Public Space (reference: Framework Document, Section1)

Given that a clear and concise definition of public space is required, it is also evident that pubic spaces correspond to different typologies. Experts will be solicited to comment on the definition and classification included in the framework document.

16:00-16:15
Coffee Break
16:15-17:15
Session III – Overcoming Constraints: The Case for Public Space (reference: Framework, Introduction and Section 3)

Many potential and real constraints to be kept in mind when embarking in public-space planning, development and management. Others can be added. How can these constraints be faced and turned into assets?

Questions for discussion:

·         What are the usual constraints or arguments against public space?

·         What are the entry points and opportunities for addressing public space?
·         Using legal frameworks to secure public space.
·         Innovative examples from cities.
17:15-18:30
Session IV – Urban Public Space Systems, City-wide Approaches and Situation- Specific Contexts (reference: Framework document, Section 5)


18:30
End of day. Return to hotel with pre-arranged  taxis
Participants have the evening free.



Tuesday, 14 January
Sessions V-VII and Closing, Franco Basaglia Municipal Library, Via Federico Borromeo 67, Primavalle
08:30
Departure from the hotel (by bus) to the Franco Basaglia Municipal Library, via Federico Borromeo 67, Primavalle, Rome
09:00-10:10
“The Other City”:  lower-income neighbourhoods (Primavalle, Quartaccio, Torrevecchia)
9:00-10:00
Bus departs from library for a brief visit of public spaces in three adjacent neighbourhoods and returns to Basaglia Library
10:00-10:10


10:10-10:15
The Rome Public Library System, brief introduction by Alessandro Massimo Voglino, Director, Rome Libraries Institute

Recap of previous day


10:15-11:45
Session V Public Space Strategies for fast-growing & resource-poor cities (reference: Framework, Section7)

How can the policies and approaches discussed up to this point be tailored to the huge demands for public spaces in rapidly expanding cities with under-serviced informal settlements and severe resource and governance problems?

11:45-13:15
Session VI – Creating, Managing, Enjoying Public Spaces
(reference: Framework. Section 6)

The “public space cycle” can be broken down into these three components. Each demands close attention and should respond to adequate principles and approaches.
In addition, positive synergies can be developed when the same components are treated as part of the same strategy, such as when interventions are conceived and carried out for and with the users, and keeping in mind management and maintenance effectiveness.


13:15-14:45
Lunch in local trattoria
14:45-16:00
Session VII – Resources for the Creation and Maintenance of Public Spaces (reference: Framework. Section 8)

Questions for discussion:

·         What innovative ways and strategies can be found for the mobilization of resources?
·         How to sustain resource availability throughout the whole cyce?

16:00-16:15
Coffee Break
16:15-17:45
Session VIII – Surveys and Indicators

Questions for discussion:

·         Citywide Public Space Surveys: assessing processes as well as outcomes
·         Surveys: by whom and for whom?
·         According to what performance indicators?

17:45-18:30
Closing Session

Wrap up and conclusions
Closing remarks and farewell
18:30
Transfer by bus to hotel

20:30
Farewell dinner in a nearby restaurant (to be announced)