POPS in Central Europe

We turn our focus onto POPS– Privately Owned Public Spaces– in Central Europe. POPS began to emerge in the region after the post-socialist transformation, primarily as part of commercial developments. Despite their growing presence, these spaces remain under-researched, particularly with regard to their spatial qualities, governance models, and social impact.

The project aims to open a critical discourse on contemporary approaches to POPS, emphasizing how the design and management of these spaces play a role in shaping their accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. Through comparative research, students will analyze existing POPS across Central European cities and develop a set of guidelines for their optimal design and management.

Privately Owned Public Spaces have been influencing urban development since the 1960s, first introduced in the United States as a means of integrating public spaces into private developments. In exchange for additional building rights, developers in New York City were required to provide publicly accessible plazas or open areas. However, these spaces were often poorly designed, hidden from view, or unwelcoming. Over time, regulations were implemented to improve the quality of POPS, ensuring that the spaces were beneficial to the public. Today, well-designed POPS often feature sustainable landscape and water management elements, along with space and furniture that prioritizes inclusiveness and social cohesion– pleasant, accessible, and sustainable public spaces that can be enjoyed by all.

The design and maintenance of POPS in Central Europe remain largely unexplored and under-discussed among architects, urban planners, and the general public.

CCEA aims to address this gap in knowledge and discourse through the research of POPS in collaboration with leading academic and research institutions in the region: FA ČVUT Prague, FAD STU Bratislava, KÉK, BME Budapest, and WA PK Krakow. Students at partner institutions will collect data and analyze local case studies with the ultimate task of developing a set of guidelines for designing POPS in Central Europe. They will present their findings at a collaborative workshop in Krakow in April 2026, where they will have the opportunity to connect with students, tutors, and guest experts from fellow V4 cities.

The full research program will be implemented through a series of interconnected activities: student research, a workshop, an international conference, and a final publication. The international conference held in Prague in January 2027 will present the POPS guidelines, a POPS in Central Europe publication, and presentations from international experts.

POPS 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.

Project in collaboration with:
– Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Architecture
– Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Faculty of Architecture and Design
– Cracow University of Technology
– KÉK – Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre

Supported: Visegrad Fund