Innovative approaches for the spatial design of neighbourhoods

Open EU call topic HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-PARTICIPATION-02 · HORIZON Innovation Actions. Part of call HORIZON-NEB-2026-01: Beautiful, inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods for communities. Next deadline 2026-12-01. Topic page: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-PARTICIPATION-02

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: - Demonstrated approaches aligned with NEB allow architects, designers, spatial planners and neighbourhood[1] decision makers to ensure an efficient and effective integration of user perspectives in the spatial design and/or transformation of public spaces. - The demonstrated approaches deliver positive climate, environmental, social and cultural impact (such as addressing inequalities and enhancing social cohesion, community[1] resilience, civic engagement and a sense of security, ownership and belonging).

Scope: The design of neighbourhood public spaces defines their functionality, but also other aspects such as power dynamics and sense of belonging. A fair green transition[1] calls for neighbourhood public spaces to be designed and managed for diverse users. Integrating new methods (such as research-by-design, security-by-design[4], or life-centric design) in the architectural design and spatial planning of public space can help reflect on the values, practices and stakeholder relations that underpin the design of public spaces; rethink how public spaces are understood; overcome the potential conflict between the need to accelerate planning and the time needed for participatory[1], inclusive[1] and deliberative processes; and speed up their green transition while actively including their inhabitants’ diverse perspectives. Proposals are expected to address all of the following: - Assess how spatial design determines gendered, age-appropriate and identity-related patterns of use (e.g. in terms of…