Second call for participants for Living Spaces peer-learning visits on architecture and the built environment
Participate in a peer-learning visit
We want you to participate in a peer-learning visit on high quality architecture and built environment organised by the European Living Spaces project. 12 European cities and regions will host peer-learning visits in 2024.
Funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, Living Spaces - Cities and regions shaping the built environment for everyone (Living Spaces) is implemented by Eurocities and the Architects’ Council of Europe.
If you are part of the administration of a city or region in the EU or a professional working on architecture and urban planning, this is your chance to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and learn from your peers and from experts on how to plan and implement high-quality architectural policies and projects. All you need to do is fill out the form with your information and motivation to participate.
The focus of the peer-learning visits will be on architecture and the built environment, and they will address various cross-cutting topics such as climate change, social equality, sustainable development, housing, public and open spaces, mobility etc.
20 participants for each visit will be selected through 2 rounds of calls for participants.
12 Peer-learning visits
The 12 onsite peer-learning visits take place from March to October 2024, based on identified Living Spaces good practices in the following cities and regions:
| City | Good practice |
|---|---|
| Berlin, Germany | Social mix in the Blumengroßmarkt neighbourhood |
| Bordeaux, France | A new life for 530 homes |
| Brussels Capital Region, Belgium | Bouwmeester – Maître Architecte |
| Caceres, Spain | Designed by locals |
| Gdańsk, Poland | Gdańsk Design Workshops |
| Grand Paris Sud, France | A tailor-made city renewal |
| Malmö, Sweden | From shipyards to sustainable living in Varvsstaden |
| Oulu, Finland | AaltoSiilo |
| Prague, Czech Republic | Public Space Design Manual |
| Toulouse, France | Responsible urban development in Toulouse |
| Vienna, Austria | Urban planning for and with women |
| Vilnius, Lithuania | Museum of Urban Wooden Architecture |
Participation is limited to one visit per participant to allow as many people as possible to benefit from this opportunity.
Selected participants are expected to dedicate three full days to the visit.
Each visit will last 3 days and 2 nights. Participants are expected to travel to the host city/region on the morning of the first day and travel back on the afternoon/evening of the third day.
Who should apply
- Active professionals (technical staff and/or elected representatives) working on architecture, public space design and/or urban planning, for local or regional administrations from European Union Member states: 16 places available per visit.
- Urban planners, architects, representatives from civil society organisations, NGOs, initiatives/projects, thematic associations relevant for the topic of the visit (e.g. in culture, heritage, health, safety and wellbeing, sustainability, mobility, gender equality) in European Member states: 4 places available per visit.
- Active professionals working on architecture, public space design and/or urban planning, for a national administration in European Union Member states: 5 places available per visit. Attention: participation at cost of your ministry/administration. The allocation of these places will be based on a presentation of specific learning needs and decided on an ad-hoc basis.
Why you should apply
Local and regional insights
- Learn more about architecture, planning and development policies at local and regional levels from the inside!
- See first-hand how other cities and regions successfully implement policies and projects in high-quality architecture and the built environment.
- Meet local policy makers, architects, and relevant stakeholders for a comprehensive experience.
Inspiration and feedback
- Share your successful local policies and projects, top tips, pitfalls, and failures with participants with expertise in the field of architecture and built environment, in a safe and friendly environment.
- Get useful information and ideas for improving or initiating local projects or transferring some key elements from the presented practices.
International networking
- Network with peers from various backgrounds and countries, collect good practices, share ideas and foster your connections at European level.
- Impulse future bilateral and network cooperation with other cities and regions.
- Travel worriless: the project covers travel, accommodation, and meal costs. Conditions are detailed in the Participants Guidelines and FAQ to this call.
How to apply
Submit your application online in the link below.
The deadline is 13 May 2024 (23:59 Central European Time).
Expectations and responsibilities
Before the visit
Participants will liaise with the project team to plan their trip to the host city/region. They will share arrival and departure dates and times.
Participants are expected to get familiar with the participants’ pack they will receive at least 1 week before the visit. The pack will include the agenda of the visit, the participants and experts list, maps and directions and a background paper explaining the local context and describing the different structures visited during the peer learning visit).
During the visit
Participants will be introduced to the host city/region local context and successful practices related to architecture and the built environment.
Our peer-learning methodology is designed to stimulate interaction, collaborative learning and solution-building. Participants are expected to contribute to lively conversations!
After the visit
Participants will be invited to fill in an evaluation form and indicate their main takeaways from the visit.
Budget
Living Spaces will cover international travel, accommodation (2 nights) and meal costs (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners) for participants in the host city/region. Detailed budget guidelines will be shared with participants ahead of the visit.
Selection process
The selection will consider the following criteria.
- Quality and clarity of the application
- Match between the topic(s) of the visit and the learning needs from the applicants
- Relevance of the profile of the participants for the visit: we want to involve specialists to maximise future impacts in the cities/regions shaping the built environment
- Potential contribution from the participants during the visit, based on their professional experience and on their local challenges
- Geographical and demographic spread among participants of the 12 peer-learning visits
- Gender balance between the participants of each peer-learning visit
- Diversity of professional backgrounds and experience
- Availability and time commitment to the peer-learning visit for its entire duration
- Language skills: B2 level of English recommended
The Living Spaces project team will inform selected participants of the results at least 45 days prior to the visit.
The first call for participants closed in January 2024.
The second call for participants is open from 10 April 2024 to 13 May 2024 and will cover the following visits:
- Oulu, Finland: 11-13 September
- Vilnius, Lithuania: 18-20 September
- Malmo, Sweden: 9-11 October
- Gdansk, Poland: 23-25 October
Frequently asked questions
If you have questions about the call for participants, please check the frequently asked questions below.