Thinking about the Future Design of Streets, implies the consideration of a variety of approaches, concerns, ideas, concepts, examples, models, guidelines, design principles, tools, and solutions. As streets are the backbone of our collective public space this involves all society.

The open call will have a focus on street design and planning: theory and practise.

The conference is organised by four main themes: SOCIAL, NATURAL, MOBILITY, and TRANSITIONS, calling for contributions to show street projects and planning strategies, tools and research results.

Streets are social spaces, serving as a foundation for various social activities. Recent street interventions in cities and villages highlight a renewed appreciation for streets as spaces for cultural, educational, and economic interactions. Equally important is the connection between building ground floors and the street environment.

Some key concepts: school streets, streets as art spaces, placemaking, liveable streets, active ground floors.

Sustainability and climate adaptation challenges are driving the way urban areas are organised and planned. Providing room for permeable surfaces, plants and trees, vital soil conditions, and dynamic stormwater basins can contribute to this. Improving air and noise conditions and providing solutions for urban heating.

Some key words: green streets, urban trees, permeability, ecology, gardens.

Urban mobility faces significant challenges in transitioning to a more equitable and sustainable system. Walking, cycling, and public transport are essential. The needed model shift requires rethinking street design and planning, including new parking strategies. Innovations such as Mobility as a Service (MAAS), curb management, and shared mobility also will influence street design.

Some key word: sustainable mobility, shared mobility, innovation, digitalisation.

How streets can be designed and transformed, depends not only on social, natural and mobility demands, but also on how the design and planning culture is organised. Do successful street transformations require always transparent participation among citizens, stakeholders, and politicians? Or is it equally important to have skilled designers and engineers within local authorities? How can street design briefs create conditions to encourage a broad spectrum of solutions, moving beyond the current dominance of mobility-focused approaches?

Some key words: participation, transition, design assignments, planning processes, design manuals, policy.

André Fontes
Bruno Moreira
Daniel Casas-Valle
Frederico Sá
Ivo Oliveira
João Ferreira
Nuno Travasso
Sara Sucena

This list will be updated in the beginning of 2025.