Programs
Experts from across North America gathered to exchange ideas for adapting streets to the challenges of the decade to come.
City streets have evolved over the last two decades to meet new challenges and complexities. Parklets, pedestrian plazas, open streets celebrations and other interventions have been at the forefront, sparking joy and imagining possibilities for transforming urban places. The International Parklet Symposium, California gathers experts from across North America to exchange ideas for adapting streets to the challenges of the decade to come.
Parklets and open streets are vital to the future of public space policies, design, implementation, and impact. The Symposium brought together inter-disciplinary and multi-sector experts — architects and designers, urban planners, policymakers, and community leaders — to showcase case studies, host panel discussions and interactive workshops, and foster dialogue around sustainable urbanism and placemaking.
Representatives from Canada, Mexico, and across the United States gathered at the Center for Architecture + Design on day one, Thursday, April 10. The San Francisco Bay Area Urban and Regional Planning Association (SPUR) hosted days two and three, Friday and Saturday, April 11–12.
In addition to proceedings from the program, the Symposium published a California Open Streets White Paper, outlining imperatives and opportunities for public policy and programs in California to advance the transformation of our public realm through re-adaptation of existing infrastructure.
The Symposium featured presentations and site tours showcasing innovative approaches, best practices, and critical reflections on parklet design, policy initiatives, implementation, and community impact, with a focus on California-specific contexts for parklets — considering urban density, climate, and diverse community needs. Content spanned case studies, theoretical explorations, policy frameworks, and creative interventions and future proposals, with cross-disciplinary perspectives bridging urban design, environmental studies, public health, and social equity. Friday afternoon was dedicated to site tours highlighting exemplary parklets and related public space projects across San Francisco.
Resources
The International Parklet Symposium, California featured presentations and site tours that showcased innovative approaches, best practices, and critical reflections on parklet design, policy initiatives, implementation, and community impact, with international presentations alongside a focus on California-specific contexts.
The International Parklet Symposium, California Report-Out Book is a comprehensive written recording of the sessions and their contents.
About three-quarters of the Symposium budget went towards local vendors and nonprofits. Curious about what else it took to put on the International Parklet Symposium? The Fiscal Impact Report breaks down the Symposium’s impact from sponsorships and in-kind donations, including contributions from women- and minority-owned businesses. All contributions were tax-deductible.
The California Parklet & Open Streets White Paper was published in October 2025. It distills key recommendations, policies, and regulations at the state and local levels, outlining imperatives and opportunities for public policy and programs to advance the transformation of our public realm through re-adaptation of existing infrastructure.
Organizers
Co-Chairs: Robin Abad Ocubillo (City of Oakland) and Shruti Shankar (Studio 111)
Program Committee: John Bela (Bela Urbanism), Monica Munowitch (SFMTA), Ilaria Salvadori (SF Planning)
Advisors: Blaine Merker (Gehl) and Luisa Bravo (The Museum of Public Space)
Production Team: Austin Blackwell, Jitka Dekojova, Lawrence Li, Aubrey Littleton, Ellina Poltavtseva, Sophia Teng, Carolyn Huynh, Jensen Zack
For questions or more information, please email parklet.studies@gmail.com with “Symposium” in the subject line.