The recognition of the fragile body in the city: An interdisciplinary perspective on European fundamental values.

In the framework of the 4EU+ European University Alliance Program - Flagship 2 "Europeanness: multilingualism, pluralities, citizenship" a series of workshops will take place on the topic of "The fragile body in the city” organised by the Institute of sociological research (Fiorenza Gamba, Nikolena Nocheva, Sandro Cattacin) together with the University of Copenhagen (Henriette Steiner, Mark Vacher, Kristin Veel), Charles University Prague (Tomáš Karásek) and the Fondation Braillard Architects Geneva (Panos Mantziaras, Hélène Gallezot).

The interdisciplinary interaction frames a common orientation and groundwork, thereby uniting approaches from anthropology, urban sociology, history, political science and architecture. Each workshop unfolds with a different approach, and takes place in one of the partner universities. It is also possible to attend workshops online after registration.

Preliminary program

26. 11. 2024

“The fragile body in architecture”

Organised by Sandro Cattacin, Fiorenza Gamba, Nikolena Nocheva (University of Geneva) and the

4EU+ project partners : Henriette Steiner (University of Copenhagen), Mark Vacher (University of Copenhagen) Tomàš Karásek (Charles University - Prague)

Invited Speakers: Cristina Bianchetti (Polytechnic of Turin), Paolo Fusi (Hafen City University – Hamburg)
Discussants: Panos Mantziaras (Fondation Braillard Architects) Francesco Della Casa (Cantonal Architect Geneva)

How could architects design the city for the fragile body? This question is at the centre of the first dialogue of the 4EU+ European University Alliance project "The recognition of the fragile body in the city: An interdisciplinary perspective on European fundamental values”. Two invited speakers will launch the discussion on “the fragile body in architecture”.

On the one side, Cristina Bianchetti, professor of urban planning at the Polytechnic of Turin, deals with contemporary urban design criticism. Her work on the relation between space and bodies permits to focus on the agency of bodies. Her view on the body as an intermediary between space and person leads to read the sharing of experiences in housing, in the use of the public space, in the everyday encounters at the forefront of an architectural intervention.

On the other side, Paolo Fusi, Professor of Urban Design at the HafenCity University in Hamburg, tries to introduce the topic of multiplicity in the (historically established) design and in use of the same spaces. Cities characterised by this double multiplicity deserve care, Fusi argues, even more care than we are used to applying to our own private living environments.

Panos Mantziaras, architect, director of the Braillard Fondation Architectes (Geneva) and partner of the project and Francesco Della Casa (Cantonal Architect Geneva) will comment on how cities of differences can be designed.

Time: from 5.00 – 7.00 pm

It is possible to attend :

1) in-person at the Fondation Braillard Architectes, Rue Saint-Léger 16, 1205 Genève

2) online via Zoom, mandatory registration at the following link.

14. 01. 2025

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: conflicts over artistic restoration of public spaces”

Organised by Tomàš Karásek, Nikolena Nocheva (Charles University, Prague) and the

4EU+ project partners : Henriette Steiner (University of Copenhagen), Mark Vacher (University of Copenhagen), Sandro Cattacin (University of Geneva), Fiorenza Gamba, (University of Geneva).

Intoruduction: Tomáš Karásek (Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University)

Invited Speakers: Eva Němečková (Prague Institute of Planning and Development) and an intervention by specialists of the PRAHO! Project

Can beauty provoke conflict? How do local communities react to initiatives aimed at restoring public spaces with the use of artistic means? Are controversies emanating from such efforts avoidable through the process of public participation? How do images of human bodies connect with the theme of a fragile body in the city?

The workshop “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: conflicts over artistic restoration of public spaces” will discuss the aforementioned and related questions. Using the controversy over the artistic renovation of the underpass near the Faculty of Social Sciences Jinonice campus as a starting point, it will connect it to the issues tackled by the project “The recognition of the fragile body in the city: an interdisciplinary perspective on European fundamental values (REBO)”, run in cooperation between Charles University, University of Geneva and University of Copenhagen with the support of the 4EU+ European University Alliance.

Time: from 5.00 – 6.30 pm

It is possible to attend :

1) in-person at: Hollar building, room No. 212, Smetanovo nabrezi 6, Prague 1

2) online via Zoom, mandatory registration at the following link.

19. 03. 2025

“#CallsFromThePublic: Introducing a methodology to listen to voices from the margins of the city ”

Organised by Henriette Steiner, Mark Vacher and Kristin Veel (University of Copenhagen) and the

4EU+ project partners : Sandro Cattacin (University of Geneva), Fiorenza Gamba (University of Geneva), Tomàš Karásek (Charles University - Prague), Nikolena Nocheva (Charles University - Prague)

Introduction by Henriette Steiner, Mark Vacher, Kristin Veel from Copenhagen University of the methodology #CallsFromThePublic - a tool through which to listen to voices of citizens who may be marginalized in different ways.
Think-pair-share exercise in break-out-rooms for participants to adopt the methodology

Time: from 5.00 – 7.00pm

It is possible to attend:

1) online via Zoom, mandatory registration at the following link.

29. 04. 2025

“Participation of Marginalised Voices in Urban Decision-Making"

Organised by Nikolena Nocheva and Tomàš Karásek (Charles University - Prague) and the

4EU+ project partners : Henriette Steiner (University of Copenhagen), Mark Vacher (University of Copenhagen), Sandro Cattacin (University of Geneva) and Fiorenza Gamba (University of Geneva).

Invited speakers: Adela Petrovic (Charles University), Ross Beveridge (University of Glasgow)

Discussants: Talide Cividino (Concertation Project Manager, at the Office de l'Urbanisme, Geneva) and

Joy Bruni (Trainer, Facilitator, Actor and Assistant Coordinator at La Maison du Récit, Lausanne)

One of the guiding questions of the 4EU+ European University Alliance project "The recognition of the fragile body in the city: An interdisciplinary perspective on European fundamental values" is how can urban actors ensure the participation of fragile and marginalised voices in urban decision-making processes?

Adela Petrovic, scientific collaborator in social geography and regional development at the Charles University will discuss how racism, social exclusion, and displacement affect usage of public space by minority groups, hence also pertaining to their participation in urban decision-making processes. To do so, Adela Petrovic will refer to racially-motivated prejudices and attitudes of residents towards the Roma community in gentrifying neighbourhoods in Prague, and to examples from Brussels and Budapest' governmental efforts to displace street prostitution.

Ross Beveridge, senior lecturer in urban studies and social policy at the University of Glasgow will discuss the neccessity for an epistemological shift – to de-centre the state in a movement from institutions to practices, from jurisdictional scales to spaces of collective urban life. Ross Beveridge will argue that seeing democracy in the things urbanites already often do provides a way to reimage and re-locate democracy in everyday life, also at the margins. Thus, rather than ignoring such projects at the margins, or dismiss them as isolated and lacking impact, what would happen if we tried to build upon them as forms of actually-existing urban democracy?

Talide Cividino, concertation project manager at the Office de l'urbanisme (Geneva) and Joy Bruni, trainer, facilitator, actor and assistant coordinator at la Maison du Récit (Lausanne) will comment on practices, which can foster urban participation of marginalised individuals.

Time: from 5.00 – 7.00pm

It is possible to attend:

1) online via Zoom, mandatory registration at the following link.

20. 05. 2025

“The fragile body in urban planning”

Organised by Sandro Cattacin, Fiorenza Gamba, Nikolena Nocheva (University of Geneva) and the

4EU+ project partners: Henriette Steiner (University of Copenhagen), Mark Vacher (University of Copenhagen) Tomàš Karásek (Charles University - Prague)

Interventions by:

Fiorenza Gamba - "The Concept of Fragile Body"

Sandro Cattacin - "The City Open to All"

Olivier Waeber - "Difference-Oriented Urban Planning: The Geneva Case"

One of the primary challenges of the "Recognition of Fragile Bodies in the City" project is the accessibility and availability of urban space, both public and private, for vulnerable individuals. This challenge necessitates urban planning to prioritise the widest possible accessibility and usability for all city dwellers, considering their diverse characteristics and vulnerabilities.

However, this challenge extends beyond the relationship between the built environment and the body; it encompasses broader social and emotional dimensions of urban life. Consequently, to effectively address the needs and desires of vulnerable individuals, a comprehensive, interdisciplinary theoretical reflection on the concept of the fragile body is essential.

Fiorenza Gamba will initiate the analysis of the concept of the fragile body by clarifying its definition. Using the speculative tools of phenomenology and existentialism, Gamba aims to transcend the functionalist dynamic of lack and incapability versus repair. Instead, Gamba seeks to comprehend the fragile body in its entirety and complexity, encompassing not only physical perception but also personal sensitivity, moral standards, and power dynamics. Sandro Cattacin will reconstruct the concept of the open city within the context of fragility. Olivier Waeber will provide, using a socio-historical approach, an analysis of how differences have been operationalised in urban planning in Geneva since the 19th century.

Time: from 5.00 – 7.00pm

It is possible to attend :

1) in-person Room M 3393, Uni Mail, 40 Boulevard du Pont-d'Arve, 1205 Genève.

2) online via Zoom, mandatory registration at the following link.

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27. 05.2025

"Internal Writing Workshop"

This workshop is internal and it is closed to the public.

Requests to join could be considered. If you need more information, please contact nikolena.nocheva(at)unige.ch

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20.11.2025

4EU+ FINAL WORKSHOP

Organised by: Sandro Cattacin, Fiorenza Gamba, Nikolena Nocheva (University of Geneva)

4EU+ project partners: Mark Vacher (University of Copenhagen)

Invited: Christina Bianchetti (Politechnic of Turin), Paolo Fusi (Hafen City Universität)

Time: 09:30 - 13:00

Program:

09:30 Welcome Coffee

09:45 Welcome Address

10:00 Presentation of results and future perspectives from the University of Geneva team: Fiorenza Gamba, Sandro Cattacin and Nikolena Nocheva

Discussion

10:45 Coffee break

11:00 Presentation of results and future perspectives from the Charles University (Prague) team: Nikolena Nocheva

Discussion

11:45 Presentation of results and future perspectives from the University of Copenhagen team: Mark Vacher

Discussion

12:30-13:00 Conclusions and Future Research Perspectives: Fiorenza Gamba and Sandro Cattacin

Location: GamMAH (ex Cabinet des Estampes) Musée d'Art et d'Histoire - Promenade du Pin 5 -1204 Genève

This workshop is internal and it is closed to the public.