POPS Workshop

POPS – Privately Owned Public Spaces – are rapidly spreading across Central European cities, offering new possibilities for urban life while raising important legal, social, and spatial questions. By critically examining these emerging spaces, we can proactively shape them into vibrant public spaces that uniquely synchronize public and private interests.

From April 20–24, we met with project partners and students for a five-day workshop at the Cracow University of Technology.

The first two days focused on knowledge exchange through student presentations, site visits, and group discussions. Prior to the workshop, students from participating universities analyzed assigned POPS case studies in their home cities. They examined architectural and urban characteristics, observed how people use these spaces compared to traditional public areas, and explored the legal frameworks shaping their design and management. At the workshop, students formed international, interdisciplinary teams to share insights and deepen their analyses.

In Kraków, students visited local case studies and engaged in collaborative brainstorming sessions. The program also featured expert lectures by David Burney (Pratt University Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment) and Wojtek Świątek (55architekci).

The latter part of the workshop focused on developing practical guidelines for the creation, management, and maintenance of POPS, with an emphasis on inclusivity, accessibility, and long-term sustainability.

Inspired by established frameworks in cities such as New York City, London, and Toronto, these guidelines are intended for developers, architects, urban planners, and policymakers. Ultimately, their goal is to ensure that POPS serve the public effectively.

By working in mixed international teams, participants fostered cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural learning, comparing legal systems, planning approaches, and social contexts that influence how POPS are created and used.

Program Summary

Monday, April 20
Site Visit: Osiedle Wizjonerów (Visionaries’ Estate), part of Mieszkaj w Mieście (Live in a City)
Guest Meeting: Discussion with developer Arch. Anna Bochnia (Henniger Investments)
Student Presentations: Case study analyses including diagrams, maps, photographs, and spatial observations of POPS

Tuesday, April 21
Collaborative Workshop:
Students worked in mixed international groups (V4 partner institutions) on brainstorming activities. Discussions explored: how we define public space, how different users & actors interact with public spaces, influence of urban context, qualities that make public spaces inviting and high-quality
Lecture: David Burney

Wednesday, April 22
Collaborative Work:
Teams began drafting their POPS guidelines
Lecture: Wojtek Świątek / 55architekci

Thursday, April 23
Final Presentations:
Student groups presented their proposed guidelines
Feedback & Discussion:
Local experts and project tutors provided feedback, followed by open discussions with participants

Friday, April 24
Excursion: Tour of Kraków Old Town
Museum Visit: Rynek Underground Museum