Inhabiting the Outdoors. Exposed Bodies, Climate Change and Conditions of Habitability
Round table organised by Braillard at the Rendez-vous de l’urbanisme 2026
Thursday 29 October 2026, 13:00 – 14:15, Pavillon Sicli, Geneva
As part of the Rendez-vous de l’urbanisme 2026, devoted this year to the theme of the City (Living) Together, the Fondation Braillard Architectes is organising the round table “Inhabiting the Outdoors. Exposed Bodies, Climate Change and Conditions of Habitability”.
The round table
An increasing share of life takes place indoors, in our homes, in transport or through digital interfaces. Who, then, still truly inhabits public space, and how? Being outdoors today is above all a matter of individual use. The street is no longer really a place of exchange but a place of passage. Many streets and squares are empty of everyday life and come alive only during events that are often organised and supervised, or through the persistent and conditioned flow of tourists. The much-celebrated flânerie of the 19th century has quite literally vanished from urban space. How can it be given back to its inhabitants? How can public space offer simple forms of support and once again become a place of presence, relationships and hospitality? These questions are all the more pressing in the prospect of a city at +4 °C, in which heat, wind and rain will put the diversity of bodies and their vulnerability to an even greater test.
Speakers
- Panos Mantziaras, Fondation Braillard Architectes (FBA)
- Sandro Cattacin, University of Geneva (UNIGE)
- Fiorenza Gamba, University of Geneva (UNIGE)
- Stéphanie Pédat, Youth Service (SEJ), Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity (DCSS), City of Geneva
- Valentina Grimaldi, urban planner FSU, member of LARES Romandie
Format
- Welcome and introduction
- Cross perspectives and round table
- Discussion with the audience
- Conclusions
Practical information
Thursday 29 October 2026, 13:00 – 14:15 (duration 1 hr 15 min)
Pavillon Sicli, Route des Acacias 45, Geneva
Free admission, accessible by public transport
Full programme of the Rendez-vous de l’urbanisme 2026: https://www.pavillonsicli.ch/fr/les-rendez-vous-de-lurbanisme
Round table organised by the Fondation Braillard Architectes (FBA) with contributions from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Youth Service (SEJ) of the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity (DCSS) of the City of Geneva.
The Rendez-vous de l’urbanisme 2026
Organised by the Urban Planning Office in partnership with the Fondation Pavillon Sicli and HES-SO Genève, the Rendez-vous de l’urbanisme take place from 27 to 29 October 2026 at the Pavillon Sicli and across the Geneva area. This edition underlines the importance of placing people and societal issues among the foremost territorial concerns. It examines how urban planning takes account of the diversity and vulnerability of the people who experience the city. The programme includes lectures, workshops, walks, exhibitions and screenings. All events are free of charge, and some require registration.
