Public Space & Mobility: Rethinking Car Dependence | Architects Conference

Florence to Host Key Conference Rethinking Urban Life Beyond the Car

A major conference in Florence this September will explore strategies for prioritizing pedestrian-amiable spaces and sustainable mobility, aiming to reshape cities for a post-car future.

Florence, Italy, is set to become a focal point for urban innovation as it hosts “Beyond the Car: The City to be Measured by Those Who Live It” on September 22nd. The conference, taking place at the Royal Palazzina from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, is a collaborative effort between the Foundation of Architects florence and the Order of the Architects of Florence, and is officially part of the European Mobility Week (september 16-22, 2025) organized by the Municipality of Florence.

The event builds upon a project initiated in October 2024 with the conference “Post Car City,new spaces per city in change,” and seeks to foster dialogue between administrators,technical experts,researchers,and other stakeholders. the overarching goal is to diminish the dominance of the automobile in urban environments and reclaim space for people, enhancing both quality of life and community proximity.

Did you know? – Florence’s historic center is already largely pedestrianized, aiming to preserve its cultural heritage and improve walkability.

A Two-pronged Approach to Urban Transformation

The project operates on both a local and broader scale. Organizers intend to leverage the expertise of prominent speakers to present cutting-edge research and projects with significant technical, strategic, and scientific merit. Simultaneously, the conference will engage local administrators and policymakers to address the specific challenges and opportunities facing Florence, the wider metropolitan area, and the Tuscany region.

The conference program features a diverse lineup of speakers. The event will begin with remarks from Silvia Ricci, President of the Order of Architects of Florence, and Caterina Bini, president of the Architects Foundation Florence, outlining the role of their organizations in driving urban transformation policies. Simone Scortecci, Councilor at the Architects Foundation Florence and curator of the “Beyond the Car” project, will then present the project’s core vision – a city designed around the needs of its inhabitants.

Pro tip: – Prioritizing “sweet mobility”-walking, cycling, and micro-mobility-can reduce congestion and improve air quality.

Prioritizing Pedestrian Mobility and Quality of Life

Further presentations will delve into specific aspects of urban planning and mobility. Francesco alberti,from the Department of Architecture of Florence,will discuss the importance of “City and proximity spaces for a better quality of life.” A dedicated session at 4:00 PM will focus on “Post Car City, Policies for pedestrian and sweet mobility of the Florentine belt,” featuring insights from a range of local officials.

These include Andrea Giorgio, councilor for mobility and roads, tramway, ecological transition, urban security and municipal police of Florence; Caterini Biti, councilor for urban planning, urban decorum and toponymy of Florence; yuna Kashi Zadeh, Vicesindaco councilor for Mobility and infrastructure of scandicci; Francesco Pignotti, mayor of Bagno a Ripoli; Corso Petruzzi, councilor of the Municipality of Bagno a Ripoli; and Claudia Pecchioli, deputy mayor and councilor for public works, mobility, economic development and civil protection of Sesto Fiorentino.

Reader question: – How can cities balance the needs of residents with those of businesses during urban transformation projects?

The conference is also integrated into “The city” festival, a special Future4Cities event for the European Mobility Week 2025. According to a senior official, the initiative represents a crucial step towards creating more livable, sustainable, and people-centric urban spaces. The project’s emphasis on