A networking event around public space will take place on 19 October, from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. in room MR11 at the venue of the Habitat III Conference, Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana “Benjamin Carrion” with Ax:son Jonson Foundation and UN Habitat as hosts. The panel will consist of: Cecilia Martinez, UN-Habitat, Raf Tuts, UN-Habitat, Joanna Alimanestianu, Council for European Urbanism, Doug Kelbaugh, University of Michigan, Setha Low, Public Space Research Group, CUNY. Moderated by Michael Mehaffy, Chair, Future of Places Research Network

This session will bring together members of national and local governments, UN agencies, research institutions, communities, NGOs, private sector companies, professionals and others, to identify and take forward the collaborations that will be needed to implement this vital “public space agenda.” Following a panel discussion to frame the issues, participants will help to develop recommendations for implementation as follows:

–  Identify key levers for action and transformational change;

– Identify the enabling tools and resources that will be required at global, national and local levels, to support implementation.

– Distill key recommendations for the implementation, on national, local and global levels;

– Develop key networks and partnerships to facilitate collaborative dialogue, exchange, cooperation and research among partners and local authorities in driving the New Urban Agenda forward into implementation.