The Friendly City – Reimagining Public Spaces

Hostile design has become a widespread strategy to deter certain uses of urban spaces, often targeting vulnerable groups such as homeless individuals. By adding barriers, removing cover, or dividing benches, these interventions subtly, but powerfully, dictate who belongs in the city and who does not.

Together, we’ll explore creative visions for inclusive public spaces and the friendly city of tomorrow.

This event explores alternatives to hostile design by asking: How can we reimagine our cities to foster inclusion and social equity? What role can creativity, collaboration, and policy play in shaping public spaces that serve everyone, regardless of their social or economic status?

Join us for an evening of inspirational talks, engaging debate, and an exhibition showcasing playful alternatives to hostile design, developed by students at the Royal Danish Academy and Roskilde Unviersity. Together with experts in urban design, social inclusion, and policy-making, we will examine the challenges and possibilities of building cities that welcome rather than reject.

Program

• 16:30-17:00: Arrival, refreshments, and an exhibition of student models
• 17:00-17:15: Welcome and introduction by Jonas Høiness, EAHR
• 17:15-18:00: Inspiration talks by three experts
  • Pia Justesen, human rights lawyer specializing on the rights of vulnerable groups. Author and editor of the publication No Access – Social Exclusion in Urban Spaces (2024)
  • Ronni Abergel, founder of the Human Library and initiator of the project Bazar under Broen, a social project working for the inclusion of Roma people in Nørrebro, from fall 2024
  • TBA
• 18:00-18:45: Panel debate and Q&A, led by Ben Bosse, EAHR
• 18:45-19:00: Closing reflections and open networking.

The event will be in English.