Innovative approaches for the spatial design of neighbourhoods

The design of neighbourhood public spaces defines their functionality, but also other aspects such as power dynamics and sense of belonging. A fair green transition[[ See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.]] calls for neighbourhood public spaces to be designed and managed for diverse users. Integrating new methods (such as research-by-design, security-by-design[[ LARCHER, M., KARLOS, V., SCHUMACHER, R., STREZOVA, D., CAVERZAN, A. et al., ’Security by Design: Protection of public spaces from terrorist attacks‘, Publications Office of the European Union, 2022, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/654492]](se abrirá en una nueva ventana) or life-centric design) in the architectural design and spatial planning of public space can help reflect on the values, practices and stakeholder relations that underpin the design of public spaces; rethink how public spaces are understood; overcome the potential conflict between the need to accelerate planning and the time needed for participatory[[ See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.]], inclusive[[ See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.]] and deliberative processes; and speed up their green transition while actively including their inhabitants’ diverse perspectives.

Proposals are expected to address all of the following:

• Assess how spatial design determines gendered, age-appropriate and identity-related patterns of use (e.g. in terms of mobility, safety, sense of security and access to public and private spaces) and how inclusive approaches and accessibility can address diverse needs and experiences of users and the community.
• Develop one approach to designing and planning public space that uses innovative methods. These innovative methods are expected to:
  • Analyse the values, practices and stakeholder relations that underpin the design of public space in neighbourhoods.
  • Be adapted to the sociocultural factors of the neighbourhoods and use co-creation[[ See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.]] to incorporate inhabitants’ diverse perspectives and to exploit the potential of cultural, creative, and educational (academic) sectors.
  • Address climate-resilience, water resilience, civil security, and biodiversity of public space and the safety, well-being and security of its users.
  • Assess the multisensory perception of public spaces, including their beauty and aesthetics, by users and the community.
  • Be adaptable, replicable and scalable to local specificities.
• Demonstrate the approach in at least three neighbourhoods (in urban, peri-urban and rural areas) located in different Member States and/or Associated Countries.
• Develop plans and recommendations for the take up of the demonstrated approach. This includes assessing its potential application to other areas of the green transition of neighbourhoods (e.g. water resilient design planning, public service design, procurement, etc.) as well as identifying skills needs and gaps.

Proposals are expected to follow a participatory[[ See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.]] and transdisciplinary[[ See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.]] approach through the integration of different actors and disciplines.

This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH)[[ See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.]] disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.

Proposals are expected to allocate at least 0.8% of their budget for engaging with the Horizon Europe-funded 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' to share their intermediate and final results, findings and learning, as well as to contribute to impact assessment.