Small town in focus: Multi-dimensional perspectives on today‘s challenges

This lecture series explores current research and practices relating to the development of small and medium-sized towns in selected European countries. It discusses ongoing spatial dynamics, ranging from small neighbourhoods and inner cities to regional and national perspectives. These dynamics are closely linked to political debates and planning strategies in the relevant countries, as well as to the wider European context.

Small towns are not only peripheral -both geographically and mentally- but also represent strategic stepping stones for large-scale spatial issues and future development challenges. This applies to the quality of services in regions undergoing demographic change and housing provision in both metropolitan areas and decentralised regions. Small and medium-sized towns are therefore confronted with questions of adaptability and renewal in existing settlement areas, as well as questions of innovation. We explore how current and future planning cultures can be inspired by small towns and what lessons can be learned from the experiences of various European towns. This lecture series brings together scholars and experts from a variety of disciplines across Europe. It addresses researchers, students and practitioners alike.

Call for Contribution: Special Issue of the Scientific Journal Urban Challenge

Walking with Hope: Public Spaces for Wellbeing

We invite academics, practitioners, artists and all other interested contributors to submit full-length papers for a Special Issue of the international scholarly journal Urbani izziv / Urban Challenge. This call builds on the event "Walking with Hope: Public Spaces for Wellbeing" of AESOP Thematic Group Public Spaces and Urban Cultures, which was co-organized by the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS), Polygon – Center for Cultural Research and Project Development, and Center for urban transition, architecture and urbanism – DeltaLab at the University of Rijeka.

The Special Issue explores the vital relationship between the built environment, public spaces and human wellbeing through the interconnected lenses of walkability and the concept of hope.

Thematic focus

This special issue goes beyond the traditional understanding of walkability, examining it as a critical framework for assessing the accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability of our cities, settlements and other populated areas. We seek to encourage an interdisciplinary dialogue by bringing together two distinct epistemological perspectives – urban design/scholarly research and artistic expression/practice, both grounded in processes of exploration and reflection. We imagine new ways of reading space, tracing the shifting relations between bodies, movement within space, the economies of architecture that shape them, and the spaces they inhabit, while proposing models and practices that move fluidly between scientific inquiry and artistic creation. From here, we envision public spaces not only as sites of design but as more hopeful, human-centred environments of encounter and possibility.

We encourage contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes and questions:

•  Urban design perspectives:

• walkability as a catalyst for social, economic, and cultural vitality,
• ‘’broken world designs’’ (Rethinking Repair, Steven J. Jackson, 2014) as a starting point for the future public spaces for wellbeing,
• human-centered spatial planning and design strategies that prioritise pedestrian experience and wellbeing,
• empirical research on the psychological and social dimensions of spatial experience and its impact on mental health and community sense,
• the intersection of walkability with social equity, environmental justice and climate change adaptation;

• Artistic & cultural perspectives:

- artistic research-based methodologies that emphasise embodied spatial inquiry, including practices of peripatetic exploration, dérive and ambulatory methods, drawing on traditions such as situationist psychogeography, performative studies of space and contemporary artistic research frameworks, which position walking and wandering as critical tools for examining spatial, social, and political relations,

- the role of the pedestrian in public space, politics of space, urban innovation, art and social change as artistic resistance,

- contemporary art practices and interventions that illuminate or challenge trends in urban planning,

- how artistic approaches can transform the experience of movement and public space into a sense of identity, atmosphere and hope,

- investigations into historical urban pedagogies and their relevance for human-centred design today.

Submission types and audience

We strongly encourage submissions from a wide range of disciplines, including architecture, urban planning and design, cultural studies, social sciences, environmental studies, contemporary art, philosophy, policymaking etc.

This call is open to:

• original research articles, review articles, or methodology papers and
• contributions that critically engage with the theme through artistic practice, inquiry-based design, reflective essays, or theoretical explorations of the artistic process in urban transformation, e.g in the form of a visual essay.

Submission guidelines and publisher requirements

All submissions intended for the "Articles" section of Urbani izziv will undergo high-quality double-blind peer review.

• Submission language: Papers must be submitted in English
• Manuscript type: Full-length research, review or methodological articles, or high-quality artistic/practice-based papers or essays ADD WORD COUNT!
• Review process: Double-blind peer review for all contributions
• Publication fees: The journal is Open Access and charges no submission fee for authors and no publication fee

Key Dates

• Full paper submission: February 15, 2026
• Notification of review: March 2026
• Revised paper submission: May 2026
• Foreseen publication deadline: Summer 2026

Please consult the journal's official Instructions for Authors on the publisher's website for detailed formatting and referencing requirements before submission of academic papers that intend to be classified as a scientific contribution. The artistic/practice-oriented contributions can be structured more freely and according to the needs of the presented theme. However, if authors intend for their work to be listed within the scientific part, they must still ensure some attributes of scientific work.

Submission Email: matej.niksic@uirs.si and branka.cvjeticanin@polygon.hr

Guest Editors: Matej Nikšič, Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia; Branka Cvjetičanin, Polygon; Tihomir Viderman, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg

Next Level Parking (NXTLVL Parking) brought two new bicycle shelters to Ljutomer

As part of the international project Next Level (NXTLVL) Parking, where the Urban Planning Institute is one of the partners in an international consortium, two bicycle shelters were installed near the high school and sport center in Ljutomer, Slovenia.

These shelters are a simple but effective way to make cycling safer and more convenient, encouraging everyday mobility habits to shift toward more sustainable choices. This initiative also connects with Ljutomer’s work on the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), where the Transformative transport planning research group of the Urban Planning Institute was actively involved in the preparation process — ensuring that measures for active mobility are planned and implemented in the long run. 

The new video from the opening event:

More about the project Next Level Parking.

Mobility Observatory – A New Tool for Traffic Analysis in Slovenia

14 July 2025

Ljubljana, 14 July 2025 – The Transformative Transport Planning Research Group at the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS) today presented its new Mobility Observatory. The Mobility Observatory offers new data-driven insights into transport in Slovenia. It brings together a wide range of data at the municipal, regional, national, and European levels, along with expert commentary and analysis. The platform presents data across three main categories – users, quality of life, and the transport system – covering data areas such as road safety, private car ownership, access to public transport, and tourism-related traffic pressure.

The Mobility Observatory is available free of charge online in Slovenian at www.observatorij-mobilnosti.si and supports the implementation of the Slovenian Sustainable Mobility Planning Act. It promotes data-driven decision-making and raises awareness of mobility issues among both professionals and the general public. In doing so, it contributes to a shift in the transport paradigm and encourages a transition toward more sustainable, accessible, and high-quality mobility services at local, regional, and national levels.

The Observatory is the first thematic tool of its kind in Slovenia that brings together in one place selected data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, Eurostat, Slovenian Police, ZRC SAZU, and other reliable sources. It provides users with access to multi-year statistics and expert commentary, offering a new perspective on transport trends and challenges.

The tool was developed—drawing on international examples—by experts from the Transformative Transport Planning Group at UIRS: Dr. Aljaž Plevnik, Prof. Dr. Tom Rye, Assist. Prof. Dr. Luka Mladenovič, Dr. Mojca Balant, and Andraž Hudoklin.

The event included a presentation of the Observatory's key functionalities, which allow for in-depth analysis of the selected datasets, grouped into three categories (users, quality of life, transport system). Thematic data—such as car ownership rates, development levels, and tourism-related traffic pressure—will be regularly updated.

The team also presented the connection between population ageing and transport planning, as demographic changes are leading to a growing number of people facing increasing accessibility challenges. They emphasized that changes in transport policy are essential to ensure a more inclusive and efficient environment for all residents of Slovenia—including older and younger populations—and to alleviate transport poverty. The Observatory is currently in its beta phase and will continue to be upgraded.

The Transformative Transport Planning Research Group (UIRS) focuses on shifting the paradigm in transport planning and management. Active both in Slovenia and internationally, it collaborates with leading experts and stakeholders from the public and private sectors. It develops evidence-based professional recommendations and solutions grounded in research, field testing, and over 20 years of experience. The group also trains domestic and international professionals and decision-makers, and is involved in the education of future transport planners.

This consultation was organized by the Transformative Transport Planning Research Group at UIRS as part of the CARE4CLIMATE.

Example of data visualisation on the Mobility Observatory:
Access to public passenger transport, source: https://observatorij-mobilnosti.si/podatki/dostopnost-do-javnega-potniskega-prometa

VIDEO MOBILITY OBSERVATORY:

New issue of Urbani izziv/Urban chalange journal scientific edition

Volume 36, No. 1, June 2025

Did you know that the apple originates from Kazakhstan? In Astana, it even holds a symbolic role in shaping the city's identity. In the new issue of the scientific journal Urbani izziv, you can also read about how the method of netnography is used for research purposes, how green spaces affect the residents of Pristina, and more.

The new issue  - under new editorial leadership and with a redesigned cover - is now available and fully accessible online. You're welcome to read it!

Slovenian Version of the Urban Heat Island Mitigation Good Practice Catalogue!

Be Ready project (INTERREG Danube Programme)

We are pleased to announce that at UIRS, as part of the Be Ready project (INTERREG Danube Programme), we have prepared the Slovenian version of the Good Practice Catalogue focusing on mitigating urban heat islands in cities. 🌡️🏙️

The catalogue offers inspiring solutions from various European cities that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable, and pleasant urban environment. 📘✨

Invitation to the international conference: Walking with hope - public spaces for wellbeing

June 16th and 18th, 2025

The Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (UIRS), Polygon – Center for Cultural Research and Project Development, and Deltalab – Center for Urban Transition, Architecture and Urbanism, University of Rijeka, invite to the three-day international conference "Walking with Hope: Public Spaces for Wellbeing".

The event will take place between June 16th and 18th, 2025, at three locations – in Ljubljana, Rijeka, and Cres.

The event will take place between June 16th and 18th, 2025, at three locations – in Ljubljana, Rijeka, and Cres.

The conference is the first event in the series "Public Spaces, Urban Cultures, and Hope", organized by the AESOP Thematic Group Public Spaces and Urban Cultures. Our wish is to explore how thoughtfully designed and programmatically conceived public spaces can encourage positive social interactions, support diverse cultural practices, and instil optimism, opening up new possibilities for the future of our living environments. We will pay special attention to walkability and its great potential in creating community spaces through innovative urban designs and artistic approaches

The official language of the conference will be English.

Registration for the conference

Participation requires registration. Please register your attendance by sending an email to: mancag@uirs.si. We are accepting registrations until all available spots are filled. When registering, we kindly ask you to indicate at which locations you will be present (Ljubljana and/or Rijeka and/or Cres), this will help us in planning the event.

Important information for participants

• Transport: Organizers do not cover travel costs for registered participants, nor do they provide transport between conference locations (Ljubljana, Rijeka, Cres) - participants should arrange their own transport between cities
• Accommodation: We also kindly ask you to arrange your own accommodation for the duration of the conference                                                                                                                                            

The full program of the event is available at the link.

With kind regards,

 The Organizing Committee of the conference Hoja z upanjem / Walking with Hope

Cross-fertalisation of Be Ready, CICADA4CE and URBIO BAUHAUS projects for Climate Resilience of Cities in Slovenia

We started with the cross-fertilisation of the Be Ready (INTERREG Danube Region Programme), the CICADA4CE (INTERREG Central Europe Programme) and the URBIO BAUHAUS (INTERREG Central Europe Programme) where the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia and the City of Kranj will closely collaborate on tackling climate change through innovative solutions and stakeholder engagement from different aspects. The collaboration aims to synchronise efforts and methodologies, ensuring a comprehensive approach to tackling climate change.

The project Be Ready

The project Be Ready (co-financed by the INTERREG Danube Programme) and its comprehensive online toolkit for assessing cities from the urban heat island aspects were recently presented during as a part of the lecture titled "The Role of Urban Planning Concept in the Design of Settlements and Reducing the Impact of Climate Change". This event was a part of the regular series of lectures for architects and urban planners organised by the Chamber of Architecture and Spatial Planning of Slovenia (ZAPS), where more than 30 professionals attended.

Barbara Mušič from the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia led the lecture, showcasing the Be Ready project, which was designed to empower local decision makers, policy makers, urban planners and architects with the tools and knowledge needed to create sustainable and climate-resilient settlements. The online toolkit will provide practical resources, guidelines and best practices to help professionals efficiently integrate climate change mitigation strategies into their urban planning processes.

We are proud to see such proactive steps being taken towards creating a more sustainable future for our communities. Let's continue to innovate and collaborate for a greener tomorrow!

 (photos by Branko Lenarčič)

Walking with Hope: Public Spaces for Wellbeing

June 16-18, 2025

Call for Contributions

An AESOP Thematic Group Public Spaces and Urban Cultures Event

Dates: June 16-18, 2025

Locations: Ljubljana (Slovenia), Rijeka and Cres (Croatia)

Organizers: Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia (Ljubljana), Polygon – Center for Cultural Research and Project Development (Zagreb), University of Rijeka – DELTALAB – Center for Urban Transition, Architecture and Urbanism (Rijeka)

In collaboration with: University of Rijeka, Palace Moise
 

Theme:

We invite you to actively participate in 'Walking with Hope: Public Spaces for Wellbeing,' a unique three-day event exploring the profound connection between our built environments and human wellbeing. We will examine walkability and the role of hope within public spaces through two distinct epistemological perspectives: urban design and artistic expression. This event will explore how the pedestrian experience of public spaces - from streets and squares to parks and community areas - shapes our mood, mental health and sense of community. We aim to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue, bringing together scholars, practitioners, artists, policymakers and community members to envision and create more hopeful, human-centered urban spaces.

 

The core themes of this event include exploring walkability as a catalyst for social, economic and cultural vitality, understanding the pedestrian's role in politics, urban innovation, art and social change as cultural resistance, and investigating the relationship between urban syntax, architecture and the concept of an error. The event is conceptualised as a combination of lectures, discussions and site visits which will examine urban evolution and adaptation through case studies from Ljubljana, Rijeka and Cres, focusing on balancing preservation of walkable environments with contemporary needs and socio-economic transformation. To differentiate between epistemological approaches in art and urbanism regarding the pedestrian experience and drawing on historical urban pedagogies we will also address human-centered spatial planning and design, focusing on the "errors" in current urban environments and advocating for a renewed focus on human wellbeing, explore the psychological dimensions of spatial experience and aim to understand how urban design and contemporary art can foster positive social interaction and wellbeing.

This event transcends the traditional understanding of walkability, examining it as a critical lens through which we can assess the accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability of our cities and towns. We will investigate how walkability intersects with social equity, environmental justice and the creation of vibrant, community-oriented places, emphasizing the role of art as a tool for critical engagement and transformative intervention. We will address the challenges and opportunities presented by contemporary urban planning, including artistic critical perspectives on emerging urban models. We encourage a discussion that acknowledges both the benefits and potential drawbacks of current trends in urban matters and explores how artistic approaches can illuminate and challenge these trends.

This call is dedicated to the intersection of the two epistemological approaches on how different positions generate knowledge, perception about walking, movement, and public space in relation to the spatial interpretations and transforming experience into identity, atmosphere and consequently the hope.

We welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines including and not limited to architecture, urban planning and design, cultural studies, heritage studies, social sciences, environmental studies, contemporary art, philosophy, community activism and policymaking. We invite for submissions to be part of the programme provided by local co-organisers. The contributors are most welcome to join the whole 3-day programme but can also opt for attendance at one or more of the three locations of the event.

Preliminary Program:

The event will feature keynote speeches by leading experts, paper sessions presenting selected contributions from this call, discussions, case study visits, on-site talks and a hands-on workshop in a small settlement of medieval origin, exploring historical urban pedagogies.

• Monday, June 16th: Ljubljana Session with a focus on Research and Policy Making
• Tuesday, June 17th: Rijeka Session with a focus on Urban Studies and Errors of Hope
• Wednesday, June 18th: Practicum and the case study of the Cres Neighbourhood, focusing on the preservation of vernacular architecture and Renaissance urbanism alongside contemporary citizen-led urban initiatives

Invited Speakers:

Sanja Bojanić, University of Rijeka, Academy of Applied Arts
Nikola Bojić, University of Zagreb, Academy of Fine Arts
Branka Cvjetičanin, Polygon, Center for Cultural Research and Project Development
Marin Gregorović, Mayor of City of Cres
Blaž Križnik, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Arts
Ida Križaj Leko, University of Rijeka, DeltaLab Urban Studies
Luka Mladenovič, Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia
Marcell Mars and Miro Šarić

Inge Solis, senior curator, City Museum Cres
Tadej Žaucer, Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy of the Republic of Slovenia

How to submit the proposal for your contribution:

Write an abstract of not more than 500 words and not more than 5 keywords by 28^th of April 2025, and submit it to walkinghope@uirs.si.

The abstract shall articulate your unique perspective on the “Walking with Hope” event’s central themes, demonstrating a connection between your work and the exploration of walkability’s impact on urban life. This includes specifying how your research or practice addresses walkability as a driver of social, economic and cultural development, and how it considers the pedestrian’s role in shaping urban spaces through politics, planning, art, social change, innovation etc.

Explicitly state the preferred place of your presentation or contribution (Ljubljana, Rijeka or Cres)  - to allow for appropriate consideration within the event’s program.

Abstracts will be peer-reviewed, the final decisions of acceptance will be communicated by May 5^th 2025.

Logistics:

Attendees are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements (June 15-17 in Ljubljana, and June 17-19 in Cres).

Sunday, June 15: Arrivals to Ljubljana

Tuesday, June 17: travel to Rijeka in the morning hours, travel to Cres in the evening hours

Thursday, June 19: Return to Ljubljana

Transportation between event locations (from Ljubljana, via Rijeka, to Cres, and back to Ljubljana) will be provided by the organisers however, seats are limited.

Please note the Ferry-boat location and schedule - Valbiska (island of Krk) to Merag (island of Cres).

Further information will be provided closer to the event.

Publishing options:

A book of abstracts will be published for the event. Furthermore, selected contributors will be invited to prepare full papers for publication in the blind peer-reviewed scientific journal Urbani izziv (Urban Challenge)

Organisational Information:

Local organisers:

• Branka Cvjetičanin, Polygon – Center for Cultural Research and Project Development: branka.cvjeticanin@polygon.hr
• Matej Nikšič, Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia: matej.niksic@uirs.si

AESOP TG PSUC Representatives:

• Chiara Belingardi, LAPEI University of Florence, Italy
• Mohamed Saleh, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
• Tihomir Viderman, BTU Cottbus – Senftenberg, Germany

Do not hesitate to contact local organisers for more information.

 

We look forward to your participation in this engaging and thought-provoking event!