City SPARK: Innovating Sustainable Urban Solutions

Bologna | Milan | Venice
August 31 – September 5

City SPARK is an opportunity to see how Italians are rethinking their cities, block by block. Step beyond the classroom to learn from local leaders and explore neighborhoods where history and innovation meet. Each day is packed with hands-on activities, lively discussions, and eye-opening encounters that will inspire new approaches you can bring back to your own community.

Limited to 30 participants, you will engage directly with local experts, participate in hands-on workshops, and walk the streets where tactical urbanism and centuries-old architecture meet.

Picture yourself under Bologna’s iconic porticoes, pausing for espresso before engaging workshops. In Milan, stroll from green towers to bustling piazzas where design and tradition blend seamlessly. Arrive in Venice by train, discovering quiet backstreets where resilience meets history. Each city promises immersive experiences, vibrant streetscapes, innovative projects, and hands-on learning, all designed to inspire and connect you with the future of sustainable urban living.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Explore strategies for new neighborhoods and housing outside historic centers, such as Bologna’s TALEA Project (climate shelters, nature-based solutions) and the Città 30 mobility strategy (pedestrian zones, traffic calming).

  • Investigate amenities and livability in growing urban areas through Milan’s green districts, including Porta Nuova, CityLife, and Bosco Verticale.

  • Compare planning in both historic and developing contexts with field visits to contemporary Venetian neighborhoods and the Venice Biennale’s “In Minor Keys” (entrance included).

  • Synthesize lessons from heritage preservation, innovation, community participation, and equity-driven policies to inform your approach to resilient, socially inclusive city-building.

Where we’ll go and what we’ll explore

Bologna: The Resilient Core

Bologna, your home base, welcomes you with its iconic arcades, terracotta rooftops, and bustling markets. As Europe’s oldest university city established in 1088, it buzzes with energy and tradition. Today, Bologna leads in urban innovation (think green mobility, digital modeling, and climate-ready public spaces) proving how a city can blend rich history with forward-thinking solutions.

  • Key Themes: The "Città 30" mobility strategy (traffic calming), digital tools and twins for climate, planning, and heritage modeling, and the TALEA Project’s nature-based solutions.

  • Highlight: Visit the Museo Spazio Pubblico and engage in workshops on community resilience.

Milan: The Greening Metropolis

Milan is Italy’s design and innovation capital, now transformed by lush vertical forests, vibrant parks, and bustling plazas. Here, eco-districts fuse with lively streets, offering a glimpse of a city redefining modern urban life. Tradition and trend come together as Milan models what it means to be green and dynamic.

  • Key Themes: Delivering livability in growing urban areas and managing public space in high-density zones.

  • Highlight: Field studies of the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest), Porta Nuova, and CityLife districts to understand the next frontier of green urbanism where housing and mobility connect residents with urban amenities.

Venice: Laboratory of the Future

Venice is a city like no other. Its shimmering canals and winding alleys carry centuries of history and resilience. Rising tides and mass tourism challenge daily life, yet creativity and adaptability shine through. Venice inspires with its blend of ancient beauty and bold experiments in sustainability.

  • Key Themes: Balancing mass tourism with local livability, housing in peri-urban areas, and water-adapted infrastructure.

  • Highlight: Included in your itinerary, the 2026 Venice Biennale (with entrance included), themed "In Minor Keys," delves into resilience and artistic resistance through a transformative lens. The experience also features visits to contemporary neighborhoods like Mestre, providing a unique opportunity to explore the interplay between historic preservation and modern urban planning.

Experts Gallery

Demetrio Scopelliti
Director of Urban Planning, City of Milan – AMAT | Milan
A driving force behind Milan’s celebrated tactical urbanism and public space transformation, Demetrio brings deep expertise in delivering lasting improvements to city life through bold projects like Piazze Aperte.

Chiara Quinzii & Diego Terna
Quinzii Terna Architecture | Milan
Award-winning practitioners, researchers, and authors specializing in participatory design, tactical interventions, and inclusive urban landscapes. They will guide you through Milan’s green districts and share practical insights on real change.

Simone Garagnani
Associate Professor of Architecture, University of Urbino | Bologna
A leader in applied digital technologies for cities, Simone makes the future tangible by connecting digital twins with urban realities. His accessible approach brings complex planning tools to life for planners and non-experts alike.

Social Program

City SPARK goes beyond learning to immerse you in authentic Italian life. Our social program is your chance to build connections over aperitivos, savor local flavors, and get rare insider access to groundbreaking urban projects. Enjoy shared meals, cultural evenings, and behind-the-scenes moments that capture the spirit of every city and make lasting memories with new friends and peers.

§  Evening Aperitivos & Networking

After a day of discovery, relax over classic Italian aperitivos in local spots with time to share stories and ideas, build connections, and experience the authentic flavors and atmosphere that make Italian evenings so memorable.

§  Behind-the-Scenes Access

See a side of Italy most travelers miss. Get exclusive entry to bold urban projects, creative spaces, and inspiring offices as you meet local changemakers shaping Bologna, Milan, and Venice today.

§  Culinary Adventures

Experience Italy through its flavors. From city specialties at lively trattorias to group dinners and spontaneous tastings, meals bring you together, deepen connections, and let you savor authentic local life.

Meet The Organizers


A global academic scholar and social entrepreneur, Luisa is a leading voice in the public space debate. Based in Bologna, she is the founder of the Public Space Academy and works tirelessly to promote public space as a fundamental common good through intersectional art, architecture, and urban design.

Dr. Luisa Bravo | Founder, City Space Architecture and Ecocity Board Member


Kirstin leads Ecocity Builders' program development, global collaborative network, and communications. She specializes in translating the 'ecocity' concept into actionable standards and practices, facilitating international exchange to build cities in balance with nature.

Kirstin Miller, AICP | Executive Director Ecocity Builders

Rick is a renowned planning consultant and author specializing in Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and smart growth tools. A Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, he brings decades of experience in land-use strategies that preserve open space while accommodating growth.

Rick Pruetz, FAICP | Planning Consultant and Ecocity Board Member

Pricing & Logistics

Standard Participant

$600 USD

AICP Professional (seeking credits)

$700 USD

Mandatory Ground Transportation & Entry Fees

$165 USD

For high-speed rail travel to Milan and Venice, local transit passes, and entry to pedestrian zones and related venues.

What is Not Included:

  • Round-trip airfare to Italy.

  • Accommodation (we will provide recommendations).

  • Meals and personal expenses.

 

What is Included:

  • Full 6-day curated educational itinerary.

  • Expert lectures, workshops, and technical tours.

  • Entry to the Venice Biennale.

  • Coordination of professional meetings and office visits.

  • AICP CM credit logging and administration (for professional tier).

AICP CM Credits Pending


Invest in your career while you travel. This workshop is currently pending approval for AICP Certification Maintenance (CM) credits. The curriculum is designed to meet the rigorous standards of the American Planning Association, covering essential topics in resilience, equity, and design.

Reserve Your Spot

Capacity is limited to 30 participants to ensure an intimate and interactive experience.

Don’t miss this chance to spark new ideas and connect with global peers in one of the world’s most inspiring urban environments.

Registration starts in April.

Confirm Your Interest and Save Your Spot Now

About Ecocity Builders and City Space Architecture

Ecocity Builders is a pioneering nonprofit based in Oakland, California and Missoula, Montana, dedicated to sustainable urban planning. With a focus on urban ecology and healthy cities, they champion pedestrian-oriented development, resource efficiency, and biodiversity. Their innovative initiatives, like the Ecocity Standards, support communities worldwide to build more resilient, equitable urban environments.

City Space Architecture, headquartered in Bologna, Italy, is a global advocate for public space culture. As a UN-Habitat partner, they lead initiatives like the Public Space Academy and the Journal of Public Space, blending research, education, and artistic expression to reimagine urban life. Their work champions inclusive, vibrant public spaces that connect communities and inspire change.