European Prize Shortlist Highlights Projects Turning Car Spaces Into Public Squares

The European Prize for Urban Public Space has announced its latest shortlist, spotlighting architectural projects that repurpose infrastructure once dedicated to cars into spaces designed to help city dwellers cope with rising temperatures linked to the climate crisis, according to The Guardian.

The shortlist, revealed on Wednesday, includes projects such as roundabouts transformed into splash pools, thoroughfares converted into green corridors, and car parks reimagined as gardens, the report said.

The prize aims to demonstrate that cities are not permanently bound to car-centric design, challenging the model in which urban planners historically prioritized roads and parking over public and green spaces, the article noted.

The initiative reflects a broader trend among European architects and urban planners seeking to reclaim streets and parking areas for pedestrians and community use, as cities face increasing pressure to adapt to extreme heat and other climate-related challenges, according to the report.