Cities in Dialogue Conference

Cities in Dialogue is a one-day international conference exploring how culture and participation can shape more inclusive, vibrant public spaces, it will take place on the 26th November 2026 in Prague.

Keynote Speakers

Petra Marko

Petra Marko

Petra Marko is the director of the Metropolitane Institute of Bratislava (MIB), an architect and a placemaking expert focusing on people-oriented cities, inclusive public spaces, and walkable neighbourhoods. She has contributed to projects across the UK, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. She has co-authored ‘Meanwhile City,’ a how-to guide for temporary intervention and ‘VeloCity’, a strategic vision to promote cycling and compact development for rural areas. Petra is an active commuter cyclist and a member of the pedElle - women’s cycling network.
 

Alexander Premm

Alexander Premm

Alexander Premm from the Lab of Thought focuses on why changing our cities seems so hard. When cities alter their mobility, things rarely remain quiet. Resistance almost always arises, emotional, visible, and political. Drawing on experience with more than a dozen mayors who have led successful mobility transitions, he focuses on what resistance truly means, uncovers the process behind every major transition in public space in our cities, and highlights how to deal with it.

Cities in Dialogue: People, Culture and Public Spaces

Cities in Dialogue is a one-day international conference where municipalities, urbanists, and the cultural sector meet to exchange experiences on how culture and participation shape more inclusive, vibrant public spaces.

Price: Free to attend but registration is required
Programme: Find more about the programme of the conference:

Conference Programme(PDF, 180 KB)


Join us on the 26th November 2026 in Prague – register now the capacity is limited!

Register for the conference


How can culture and community participation shape more inclusive, vibrant public spaces?

Be a part of a conference that brings together municipalities, artists, and civil society to collaborate across sectors and borders. 

Through exchange, dialogue, and shared learning we will explore how culture can play a meaningful role in shaping public space and urban life. You will engage with real-world examples, conversations, and participatory formats that challenge perspectives, inspire new ideas, and strengthen collaboration.

Take inspiration back to your city

  • Real-world case studies from cities across Europe
  • Honest conversations about what works and doesn't in cultural participation
  • Practical frameworks and approaches for your own city context
  • New connections across sectors: municipal administration, urban planning, culture, and civil society
Speakers include Petra Marko (Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava, SK), urban specialist Alexander Premm (Lab of Thought, NL) as well as municipal representatives, cultural practitioners and artists from across Europe.

Whether you work in municipal administration, urban planning, mobility, culture, or civil society, this is an opportunity to connect with others working across cities, and to take part in an open conversation about reimagining the future of our public spaces.
 

Register for the conference now!

Further Information

  • On Thursday, 26th November, the conference runs from 09:30–17:00.
  • The event will take place in English, with certain sessions translated into Czech. 
  • Lunch is included and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
  • Find out more information about directions, accessibility and facilities at the venue or reach out to CYCLE UP! project manager, Adele (adele.newman@goethe.de) in case of any questions.
  • For more information about the CYCLE UP! Project, read about who we are and what we do, see our events, and the resources we have created. 
We are looking forward to welcoming you in Prague!

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