Posts in category: News & Events

The SPICE project was proud to contribute to the discussions at WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva (6-10/7/2026), where global leaders, policymakers, researchers, and industry experts came together to explore the future of digital transformation. 

As part of the panel “Examining Governance Structures and Emerging Challenges», taking place on July 7^th, 2026, experts from academia, industry, and policy examined the evolving landscape of AI governance and the growing challenges surrounding artificial intelligence and virtual worlds. The discussion explored emerging governance frameworks, regulatory paradoxes, data protection, synthetic data, and the need to balance innovation with the protection of fundamental rights. Professor Orero joined an esteemed panel of experts to discuss the diverse AI governance structures emerging around the world and the challenges they present. During the discussion, she highlighted the importance of the human factor—a core principle of the SPICE project—which places citizens at the heart of spatial planning and the co-creation of sustainable public spaces. 

🎙️ Moderator 

• Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio, Professor, Harvard University 

 Panel Speakers 

• Prof. Pilar Orero, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona 

• Ms. Marielle Reints, VP Legal, AGC & Deputy Corporate Secretary, Elastic 

• Dr. Peter Kamminga, Arbitrator, JAMS 

• Mr. Jonathan Duffie, Associate Corporate Counsel, Amazon Web Services 

The session echoed the broader vision of SPICE, that places people at the heart of digital and urban transformation. By combining community engagement, AI-powered tools, Nature-based Solutions, and the principles of the New European Bauhaus, SPICE continues to support the co-creation of greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient public spaces across Greece, Poland, Finland, and Portugal. 

As digital technologies continue to reshape our societies, the discussions at WSIS Forum 2026 reinforced the importance of governance frameworks that are both innovative and inclusive. SPICE remains committed to demonstrating that sustainable urban transformation is achieved not only through technological innovation, but also through meaningful collaboration, citizen participation, and shared responsibility. 

Photo Credits: WSIS Forum 2026

On 17–18 June 2026, the SPICE consortium convened in Florence, Italy, for its second plenary meeting, bringing together project partners to review progress, exchange knowledge, and plan the next phase of activities. Hosted by IRIDRA and Codesign Toscana, the two-day event provided an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration and align efforts across all work packages. 

During the meeting, partners reflected on the significant achievements accomplished during the project’s first year, including the successful delivery of key milestones and deliverables. Discussions focused on the advancement of the SPICE participatory framework, the development of the co-creation methodology and toolkit, the integration of innovative digital tools, and preparations for the pilot demonstrations that will be implemented across the project’s four case-study locations. 

A central theme throughout the plenary was the New European Bauhaus (NEB) approach and the integration of its core values – Sustainability, Inclusion, and Beauty – into all project activities. Partners explored ways to further strengthen the “Beauty” dimension within participatory processes and discussed how artistic and cultural perspectives can contribute to more meaningful and impactful community engagement. 

The second day featured interactive workshops and capacity-building activities, allowing partners to collaboratively test and refine elements of the SPICE toolkit and evaluation framework. Participants also took part in a dedicated technical session showcasing the latest developments of the SPICE digital ecosystem, including the co-creation platform, the CitiVoice mobile application, the AI assistant, and the 3D Scene Editor. 

The plenary concluded with strategic discussions on upcoming priorities, including pilot implementation, monitoring and impact assessment activities, dissemination actions, and preparations for the project’s mid-term review. Partners also agreed on a series of actions to further develop and validate the SPICE co-creation model and digital tools over the coming months. 

The Florence meeting marked another important milestone for the SPICE project, reinforcing the consortium’s shared commitment to developing innovative participatory approaches that empower communities to co-create sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful urban environments in line with the values of the New European Bauhaus.  

In early June, partners from IRIDRA visited the demo site in Cuba, Portugal, to support the next phase of the project’s participatory regeneration process. The visit combined a site inspection with a Readiness Assessment Workshop, bringing together local partners, stakeholders, and community representatives to strengthen the foundations for the co-creation process.

The visit focused on Chafariz da Fonte dos Leões and its historic public washing tanks, a site of significant cultural and social value that has remained abandoned for more than a decade. Together with the Municipality of Cuba and Make it Better, the SPICE team explored how participatory Nature-based Solutions (NbS), guided by the principles of the New European Bauhaus, can help transform the area into an attractive, inclusive, and climate-resilient public space.

Walking through the site allowed participants to observe its current condition and collectively reflect on its challenges, opportunities, and future potential. Two key issues emerged as priorities for the regeneration process: addressing water scarcity and ensuring meaningful community engagement throughout the project’s implementation.

Building on these place-based observations, the Readiness Assessment Workshop introduced participants to the SPICE project, its objectives, and the participatory methodology that will guide the regeneration process. The workshop created a shared understanding of the project’s expected outcomes while encouraging participants to reflect on their hopes, concerns, and motivations regarding the transformation of the site.

Through facilitated discussions, participants identified potential barriers and enabling factors for inclusive participation and explored different levels of stakeholder involvement in decision-making, from consultation to co-development and self-governance. The session also helped align expectations, establish a common basis for future collaboration, and reinforce the value of structured participatory methods in supporting informed and transparent co-creation.

The visit marked an important milestone in the readiness and framing phase of the SPICE process in Cuba, laying the groundwork for the development of a detailed action plan and the transition towards implementation. By combining local knowledge, community participation, and NbS, SPICE continues to support the creation of public spaces that are environmentally resilient, socially inclusive, and deeply rooted in local heritage.

On 28-29 May 2026, partners of the SPICE project gathered in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, for a collaborative working visit focused on the city’s local demonstration site: 11 Listopada Street.

The Municipality of Bielsko-Biała welcomed representatives from IRIDRA and Codesign Toscana for two days of discussions, site visits, and stakeholder engagement activities.

The visit provided an important opportunity to explore the local context of the intervention area and exchange perspectives on its future development. Participants walked through the site, met with local stakeholders, and discussed how nature-based solutions could contribute to enhancing the area while addressing environmental and social challenges. Particular attention was given to the principles of the New European Bauhaus, with discussions focusing on sustainability, aesthetics, and the active involvement of residents and local users in shaping public spaces.

More than just a project site, 11 Listopada Street is a significant part of Bielsko-Biała’s city centre, with its own history, identity, and role within ongoing local development initiatives. Ensuring that SPICE activities are firmly rooted in the local context and build upon existing efforts remains a key priority for the project partners.

The visit brought together not only SPICE partners but also a range of local actors. Representatives from the Municipality of Bielsko-Biała, the City Development Office in Bielsko-Biała, and Punkt 11 played an important role in ensuring that meetings, workshops, and discussions reflected local needs, aspirations, and realities.

Alongside site-based activities, partners reviewed the project’s methodology, toolkit, and upcoming implementation steps. The exchange of ideas and expertise helped identify practical, place-based approaches for creating a more sustainable, accessible, and welcoming public space that responds to the needs of the people who live, work, and spend time in the area.

The visit marked an important milestone in the development of the Bielsko-Biała demonstration site and reinforced the collaborative spirit at the heart of the SPICE project.

On 21–22 May, representatives from IRIDRA and CoDesign Toscana visited Rovaniemi and met with local partners Arctic Factory | Service Design and Rovaseudun Markkinakiinteistöt Oy, Finland. The programme included project meetings and a technical site visit to the project’s local demo area.

The discussions focused on how local communities can play an active role in shaping this important hub of Rovaniemi and Lapland, in line with the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB). Particular attention was given to integrating community needs, local identity, and the Arctic context into future planning for sustainable and inclusive urban development.

The first day focused on the SPICE Toolkit currently under development, as well as the framing of vulnerable groups and the pilot area. Discussions on the second day centred on the development of the Masterplan, which represents the project’s main outcome, and the Demo Action Plan, which will provide the principal framework for future activities and piloting at the demo site. The second day also included a site visit to the project’s demo area, comprising the Bus Station, the main pedestrian street Koskikatu, and the connecting area between them. The tour was guided by Pertti Onkalo, Technical Director of the City of Rovaniemi.

The visit concluded on a more relaxed note with an opportunity to ‘grill and chill’ on the terrace of Café Snow (by SNOWIN) at the Bus Station. The participants enjoyed surprisingly warm spring weather for Lapland while wrapping up the visit and exchanging views on the similarities and differences between Italy and Finland.

Overall, the visit was considered highly productive. The Rovaniemi partners would like to thank CoDesign Toscana and IRIDRA, as well as Pertti Onkalo of the City of Rovaniemi, for their valuable contributions and look forward to welcoming them, together with the other project partners, for another visit next spring.

On 14 May 2026, Azadeh Shojaei presented the SPICE project at the TransMedia Catalonia International Meeting (TIM), hosted by the TransMedia Catalonia research centre at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).

The presentation provided an overview of the project’s objectives, achievements to date, ongoing activities, and upcoming milestones. Participants were introduced to SPICE’s collaborative approach to creating more inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred urban environments through co-creation and active stakeholder engagement.

Particular attention was given to the project’s expected impacts, including its contribution to inclusive public space design, citizen participation in urban decision-making, and sustainable urban transformation. The presentation also highlighted SPICE’s strong alignment with the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), promoting inclusion, sustainability, and beauty in urban development.

As the project progresses, SPICE aims to serve as a replicable model for cities and regions across Europe seeking innovative approaches to urban regeneration and community-led public space transformation.

The presentation took place within the framework of the TransMedia Catalonia International Meetings (TIM), a series of internal events organised by the TransMedia Catalonia research group to discuss ongoing and future research activities.

TIM 21: 14 MAY 2026

• 10:00-10:45 – Invited speaker: “Para Todos Todo” by Haris Shekeris.
• 10:45-11:30 – Invited speaker: “Un volto nuovo in game localization: the usage of gender-fair strategies and users’ perception across different videogame genres” by Anna Bevilacqua.
• 11:30-12:00 – Coffee break
• 12:00-12:15 – “InclusiVRity: Guidebook on the Pedagogical Applicability of VR for Neurodiverse Students” by Aikaterini Tsaousi.
• 12:15-12:30 – “SPICE: Sustainable Public spaces through Inclusive Community Engagement” by Azadeh Shojaei.
• 12:30-13:00 – TMC research update and final discussion led by Estel·la Oncins. 
• 14:30-16:00 – Can we transcend collapse by making accessibility foundational to regenerative world-building?

As part of the SPICE project, local partners Arctic Factory | Service Design and Rovaseudun Markkinakiinteistöt Oy, Finland, supported the City of Rovaniemi in organising an entrepreneurs’ coffee evening on 12 May at Café Snow, located in the Bus Station.

The event presented potential development scenarios for the city centre pedestrian street area, which forms part of the SPICE local demo site, while providing local entrepreneurs with an opportunity to share their views on the area’s future development. The event was very well received by participants and provided valuable insights for both the SPICE project and city representatives.

The Rovaniemi pilot reflects SPICE’s commitment to involving a wide range of stakeholders in the co-creation of public spaces. By fostering dialogue between local communities, businesses, city representatives, and project partners, SPICE is helping to shape more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments.

The first SPICE Demo Readiness Assessment Workshop was successfully held on 6–7 May at the premises of the Hellenic Design Centre in Thessaloniki, bringing together pilot partners from across Europe to advance the co-design process for more inclusive and sustainable urban regeneration.

Representatives from Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), Codesign Toscana, IRIDRA, the Municipality of Thessaloniki (Resilient Thessaloniki), and the Business and Cultural Development Centre (KEPA) participated in the two-day workshop, focusing on collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and planning future SPICE activities.

The first day concentrated on participation and stakeholder engagement, with discussions centered on:

• collecting expectations and concerns related to the co-design process,
• strengthening stakeholder involvement in decision-making, and
• identifying both barriers and incentives for inclusive participation.

The second day focused on linking strategy with practical action through collaborative activities, site exploration, and data-informed planning. Participants reviewed the SPICE methodology and visited the Thessaloniki demo site, examining its environmental, spatial, and social characteristics while discussing opportunities connected to Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).

Afternoon sessions were dedicated to:

• co-developing the Demo Action Plan (DAP),
• refining co-design activities,
• reviewing local datasets, and
• aligning the next implementation steps.

The workshop, developed within the framework of the SPICE project, contributes to a structured and evidence-based understanding of the morphological, socio-cultural, and economic conditions across the project’s four demonstration areas: Thessaloniki (Greece), Bielsko-Biała (Poland), Cuba (Portugal), and Rovaniemi (Finland).

The Thessaloniki pilot focuses on the urban regeneration of the Kritis Park “Mina Patrikiou” area, actively involving local stakeholders – including students, teachers, families, elderly residents, and local business owners – in the co-design of greener, more sustainable, and bioclimatic public spaces.

Building on existing local strategies for social cohesion, community participation, and cultural engagement, the initiative aims to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable urban future.

SPICE is pleased to co-organise the special session Integrating Ethical Technologies and Community Engagement in Multimedia Technologies Development, to be held as part of the 23rd IEEE International Conference on Content-Based Multimedia Indexing (CBMI 2026), taking place in Toulouse, France, on 21–23 October 2026. The special session will provide a platform for discussing innovative methodologies, participatory design practices, community-centred research, responsible AI, ethical data governance, and frameworks that foster trust between technology developers and the communities affected by emerging multimedia technologies. 

SPICE project partner Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona participated in the 43rd International Congress of the Spanish Association of Applied Linguistics (AESLA2026), held in Granada, Spain.

During the conference, Aida Villaécija presented the paper “Language and identity: Representativity and preferences of the Deaf community in the use of signatory avatars”, co-authored with Pilar Orero and Anna Matamala, as part of the SPICE project activities.

The presentation focused on the importance of understanding the needs of all citizens, particularly people who face communication barriers in public spaces. Within SPICE, the research explores how communication can become more inclusive through accessible design approaches and innovative tools such as Catalan Sign Language avatars.

The study also examines how open users are to these emerging technologies and how they can support more inclusive interaction within urban environments. Insights collected through focus groups will contribute to at least two upcoming academic publications.

Developed within TransMedia Catalonia and the SG21-Q1/21 working group of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), this work reflects a shared commitment to placing users at the center of innovation and ensuring that future public spaces are accessible and inclusive for everyone.