The City Belongs explored the social and transformative potential of participatory democracy in design and urban planning in Europe’s cities. The panel highlighted innovative approaches to collaboration between citizens, government actors, planners, and designers. The discussion unpacked how community involvement in decision-making can transform the built environment, create more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable places, and strengthen communities and civic life.

The panel was joined by Aliénor Saint-Cast, Head of Studies at Plateau Urbain; Marta Ribera Carbó, European Project Director of The Shift; Ailbhe Cunningham, Architect and Founder of Ample Space; Akil Scafe-Smith and Seth Scafe-Smith, Co-Directors of Resolve Collective.

Moderated by Manijeh Verghese, CEO of Open City.

Panel discussion The City Belongs was part of the Public Programme of the second Annual Summit of Open House Europe.

On 30–31 January 2025, the Irish Architecture Foundation hosted the Annual Summit at The Printworks, Dublin Castle, bringing together festival organisers, architects, and urban thinkers from across Europe. The public programme explored the theme of Accessibility and Inclusion, examining how cities can become more welcoming, equitable, and open to all.

Annual Summit Host: Irish Architecture Foundation
Co-organisers: Forum Kunst und Architektur (Open House Essen) and Culture and Management Club (Open House Brno)
Project Coordinator: Architektūros fondas, financed by the Lithuanian Culture Institute
Principal Funders: The Arts Council, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Office of Public Works, Dublin City Council
Accommodation Partner: Staycity Aparthotels
Programme Partner: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design
Partners: Regionalverband Ruhr, Route Industriekultur
Project Media Partner: ArchDaily

Partner Festivals:
Open House Athens and Thessaloniki (Open House Greece), Open House Bilbao (Asociación Open Urbanity), 48h Open House Barcelona, Open House Brno (Culture and Management Club), Open House Dublin (Irish Architecture Foundation), Open House Essen (Forum Kunst & Architektur), Open House Praha, Open House Roma, Open House Stockholm, Open House Lisboa (Lisbon Architecture Triennale), Open House Slovenia (AFRONT zavod za prostorsko inovativnost), Open House Milano, Open House Tallinn (Mittetulundusühing Eesti Arhitektuurikeskus), Open House Valencia, Open House Vilnius (Architektūros fondas).

The project is co-funded by the European Union.

© 2025 Open House Europe