Davor Meersman pt 6 – The Next Generation of City Building:

Open Source, AI, and Community Design

Francesca Rizzo pt 1 – Design, Participation, and the New European Bauhaus

Francesca Rizzo, professor at Politecnico di Milano, explores the role of design in the New European Bauhaus. She discusses how participatory methods can empower citizens to shape their environments, why sustainability must be both functional and aesthetically appealing, and how designers can bridge the gap between policy and everyday life.

Francesca Rizzo pt 3 – Digital Twins, Public Space, and Citizen Engagement

Can digital twins help us plan better cities? Francesca Rizzo shares insights from projects that use technology to create digital models of urban spaces, from historic fountains to entire neighbourhoods. She explains how these tools can improve maintenance, support policy decisions, and help citizens visualise the impact of urban development.

Markus Reymann pt 2 – Knowledge, Community, and the Role of Experts

Whose knowledge matters? Markus Reymann challenges the traditional hierarchy of expertise, advocating for the inclusion of local and indigenous knowledge in environmental decision-making. He explores how meaningful community engagement differs from box-ticking exercises and how art can bridge different ways of knowing.

Markus Reymann pt 4 – The New European Bauhaus, Inclusion, and the Ocean as a Continuum

The New European Bauhaus isn't just about architecture. Markus Reymann discusses how the initiative can redefine inclusion—not just for people, but for non-human species and ecosystems. He explains his work on coastal governance models that incorporate "speakers for the living," ensuring that marine environments have a voice in decision-making.

Mia Roth-Čerina pt 1 – Architecture, Education, and the New European Bauhaus

Mia Roth-Čerina, architect and professor at the University of Zagreb, discusses the evolving role of architectural education in addressing climate change, circularity, and inclusivity. She explores how the New European Bauhaus provides a framework for redefining design practice, particularly in South European contexts, and how architectural pedagogy must adapt to a rapidly changing world.

Roberto Cavallo pt 3 – The New European Bauhaus: Connecting People, Places, and Professions

How can architecture address not just sustainability, but also aesthetics and inclusion? Roberto Cavallo breaks down the principles of the New European Bauhaus and how they shape the built environment. He discusses how designers must navigate economic realities, policymaking, and community engagement to create meaningful change.

Roberto Cavallo pt 4 – Digital Tools, Access, and the Future of Design

The DigiNEB project is mapping digital tools for architects and designers, but what happens next? Roberto Cavallo explores the role of technology in design, the challenges of accessibility and affordability, and the potential for digital tools to connect professionals across Europe. He also reflects on the balance between digital efficiency and the need for hands-on design thinking.

Sheela Patel pt 1 – Informality, Migration, and the Right to the City

Sheela Patel, founder of SPARC and a leading voice on urban informality, shares how decades of work with migrant communities in Mumbai shaped her understanding of survival, resilience, and the structural barriers facing the urban poor. She discusses the politics of displacement, the failures of city planning, and why informal settlements should be seen as solutions rather than problems.

Sheela Patel pt 2 – Collective Power, Feminism, and Changing the Rules

What does real empowerment look like? Sheela Patel explains how grassroots women’s networks have transformed not only their own communities but also the way governments and institutions engage with the urban poor. She reflects on how solidarity, rather than charity, leads to lasting change and how redefining leadership can challenge entrenched power structures.

Sheela Patel pt 3 – The New European Bauhaus and the Global South

Why is a community organiser from Mumbai advising the EU on architecture and design? Sheela Patel discusses her role on the New European Bauhaus high-level roundtable and how European policies influence—and sometimes harm—communities in the Global South. She challenges Europe to rethink its sustainability goals in a way that accounts for global responsibility rather than just local impact.

Sheela Patel pt 5 – Jugaad, Waste, and Lessons for Europe from the Global South

What can European cities learn from the resourcefulness of informal settlements? Sheela Patel explains Jugaad—the Indian concept of frugal innovation—and how it applies to housing, infrastructure, and urban resilience. She challenges the Western obsession with high-tech solutions and argues for a shift in mindset towards making better use of what we already have.