Urban Questions in the Times of Coronavirus. Responding to the Crisis of Public Space

This paper is co-edited on the basis of an intensive round-table discussion within a relatively small group of colleagues interested and involved in thinking, making, and working towards the quality of public space, to discuss, problematize and evaluate what is going on and to speculate on actions suitable for these times, and the times that follow. The title of the round table emphasizes questions, deliberately pointing at the enigmas posed by the current situation. We see it as an opportunity to get and think together in a structured brainstorming session that encourages brave and risky discussion. The “task” for all of the participants is to reflect upon practices/experiences that we are individually familiar with, those that we are witnessing these days, and - to suggest what would be the key questions /issues that need to be (re)thought and addressed in the weeks, months, perhaps years to come. The roundtable discussions were held online on 1st May 2020 – then recorded, transcribed, edited, and published as a joint piece.