The Power of Places: How Culture Shapes Cities

The vibrancy of urban areas largely depends on the quality of public spaces and their activation. Administrators, the private sector, and placemakers converge on a common idea: contemporary cities need open, stimulating places that encourage people’s engagement and personal growth.

If public space and culture are key elements in today’s urban discourse, it is up to professionals to understand how to unite these two forces and define effective tools for governance and development.

Utopian Hours opens the debate on how public space can serve as a platform for cultural expression and how culture, in turn, can transform and give new meaning to shared spaces. The panel will bring together perspectives from a policymaker, a representative of a philanthropic foundation, and a member of the international media, fostering a dynamic dialogue on the key issues.

With Matteo Bagnasco (Head of Culture, Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation), Aitor Hernandez Morales (Editor, Politico), Ya-Ting Liu (Chief Public Realm Officer, New York), and Paola Pasino (Principal Officer, City Centre Regeneration, Glasgow City Council).