FESTIVAL
Different perspectives.
A shared idea of university public space.
Following the results and discussions of the first Conference on Public Spaces for Community Campuses and Universities, university campuses are increasingly recognized as strategic public spaces where education, social interaction, innovation, and community life converge. Within the framework of the Festival of University Campus Public Spaces (Sapienza University of Rome, organized and coordinated by Marichela Sepe), this Second Conference aims to advance the debate on the role of campuses as inclusive, resilient, and sustainable environments capable of responding to contemporary environmental, social, technological, and health-related challenges.
FESTIVAL
PROGRAMME
The Conference further explores the multifaceted role of campus public spaces in fostering well-being, accessibility, sustainability, and urban integration. Bringing together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and members of academic and local communities, it promotes interdisciplinary dialogue on innovative approaches, best practices, and emerging challenges. Through four thematic sessions, the Conference examines the relationships between public space, healthy lifestyles and food, mobility, cultural heritage, artificial intelligence, and technological innovation, contributing to the development of more liveable, connected, sustainable, and community-oriented campuses, while enhancing learning experiences and fostering the well-being, inclusion, and quality of life of students and communities.
PUBLIC SPACES FOR COMMUNITY CAMPUSES AND UNIVERSITIES CONFERENCE TOPICS
Session I (with EURA WG, GUDesign network, and INU Public Space Community)
Liveable, Resilient and Inclusive Campus Public Spaces: Analysis, Design, and Best Practices
This session explores the role of outdoor public spaces in university campuses as places for social interaction, inclusion, learning, well-being, and resilience. Contributions may address methods and tools for analysing campus spaces, innovative design approaches, participatory practices, and case studies focused on accessibility, environmental quality, climate adaptation, safety, sustainability, and social inclusiveness. The session welcomes interdisciplinary perspectives on how campuses can become more liveable, resilient, and community-oriented environments.
Session II
Healthy Food, Cultural Heritage, and Sports Activities on Campus: Improving Learning and Well-being
This session investigates how healthy lifestyles, cultural heritage, and sports and recreational activities contribute to improving students’ and communities’ well-being within university campuses. Topics may include healthy food systems and food environments, cultural and historical campus heritage enhancement, physical activity and sport infrastructures, social cohesion, mental health, and the relationship between well-being and learning performance. The session encourages contributions that integrate health, culture, sustainability, and education in campus planning and management.
Session III
Campus and the City: Universal accessibility, Proximity, and Multimodal Integration
This session explores the relationship between university campuses and the urban context, with particular attention to universal accessibility and integrated multimodal mobility systems. It examines how campuses can become more connected, inclusive, and sustainable through accessible infrastructures and integrated transport networks combining public transport, cycling and pedestrian routes, shared mobility solutions, and temporary or pop-up connections aimed at improving flexibility and urban accessibility.
Contributions may address topics such as universal accessibility, inclusive design, walkability, cycling and micromobility, proximity, mobility hubs, smart mobility systems, and temporary or pop-up solutions for mobility and public spaces, supporting the integration between campuses and urban networks. The session also welcomes studies and reflections on the concept of the “Open University,” analysing its opportunities, challenges, and social, spatial, and cultural impacts, with particular attention to the relationships between academic communities, citizens, and urban public spaces.
Session IV
AI, Technologies, and Traditional Campus Public Spaces: New Hybridizations and Challenges
This session focuses on the interaction between emerging technologies and traditional campus public spaces. It examines how artificial intelligence, digital tools, smart systems, data-driven approaches, and hybrid physical-digital environments are transforming the ways campus spaces are designed, managed, experienced, and perceived. Contributions may address opportunities and challenges related to innovation, inclusiveness, ethics, digital participation, smart campuses, virtual learning environments, and the balance between technological advancement and human-centred public spaces.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
CONFERENCE/FESTIVAL FEE: There is no conference/festival fee.
Partner of the Conference: GUDesign Network, gudesign.org
Scientific Responsible: Prof. Marichela Sepe, DICEA Sapienza Università di Roma
The Conference is organized within the framework of: L.O.V.E. Sapienza, Livable, enjOyable and attractiVE spaces for the community; University and Urban Regeneration: Redesigning Neglected Spaces and Routes with Sapienza as a Driver, NARRATES (architectural and urban regeneration research line); T.A.S.T.E., TrAnsforming public Spaces to foster healThy Eating at Sapienza, Sapienza University of Rome research projects; Community Inu Public Space; and EURA Working group Flexible, Healthy and Liveable Public Spaces.
ROUND TABLE
A scientific discussion forum focusing on the transformation of university open spaces and their role in quality of life, wellbeing and learning. International experiences, research and perspectives will be compiled in an open-access publication.
WORLD CAFÈ
A space for informal discussion and the sharing of ideas, to work together to develop new perspectives on the future of university spaces.