City streets are evolving, and the use of curbside lanes for parklets and other public-serving uses has been at the forefront of the possibilities for their transformation. The International Parklet Symposium, California will be held in San Francisco in April 2025 during San Francisco Restaurant Week, will build on the rich dialogue and global insights shared at the first International Parklet Symposium in Bologna, Italy in September 2024.

The International Parklet Symposium, California will further explore the potential of parklets and other related interventions as true public spaces; and shape the future of parklet policies, design, implementation, and impact. The event will bring together 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.

In addition to Proceedings from the program, the Symposium will publish a California Parklet White Paper. The White Paper will outline imperatives and opportunities for public policy and programs in California to advance the transformation of our public realm through re-adaptation of existing infrastructure. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic advocate, this symposium offers a platform to shape California’s streetscape for a more connected and inclusive future.

Thematic areas for the International Parklet Symposium, California include but are not limited to:

1. Evaluating Social Equity and Economic Impacts
Frameworks for managing and/or funding parklet and other public space programs to achieve social equity outcomes. Research, documentation and storytelling initiatives that look at measurable and perceived impacts—how parklets affect social cohesion, mobility, local businesses, property values, and pedestrian circulation in communities.

2. Catalysts for Community Engagement and Cohesion
Explore how parklets serve as community gathering spaces, promoting local businesses, and enhancing urban life. Topics could include case studies of bottom-up implementation through community initiatives, strategies for inclusive design, creative placemaking and art interventions, and storytelling to create, sustain and advocate for parklets.

3. Innovations in Engineering, Design, and Materials
Encourage innovative designs that address challenges such as limited space, accessibility, cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, aesthetic appeal, and local regulations. This could also invite creative ways of using materials or integrating technology. Development of design guidelines, manuals, and technical specifications are also critical.

4. Safe and Sustainable Mobility: Integrating Walkability, Cycling, and Public Transport
The role of parklets in achieving street safety outcomes like Vision Zero programs and compact communities that support human-powered mobility through enhancing pedestrian safety, connecting with bike infrastructure, and encouraging alternative forms of transport.

5. Policy and Partnerships: Enabling Projects in the Public Realm Innovations in Policy and regulatory frameworks; especially as the result of collaboration between cities, businesses, artists, and community groups. Current opportunities and challenges for investment in parklets and ideas around the economics of parklet development and maintenance. Transition of individual sites and/or municipal programs – from temporary or pilot to permanent – are also important; for example with legislation, code changes, or program development.

Call for Presentations and Site Tours

The International Parklet Symposium, California invites proposals for presentations and site tours that showcase innovative approaches, best practices, and critical reflections on parklet design, policy initiatives, implementation, and community impact. International submittals are accepted, and special consideration will be given to presentation proposals that focus on California-specific contexts for parklets, considering urban density, climate, and diverse community needs. We welcome contributions from design practitioners, urban planners, government agencies, policymakers, researchers, and community organizations. We encourage cross-disciplinary perspectives that bridge urban design, environmental studies, public health, and social equity.

Submissions may focus on case studies, theoretical explorations, policy frameworks, or creative interventions and future proposals. Additionally, proposals for site tours that highlight exemplary parklets or related public space projects across San Francisco are highly encouraged. Selected presenters will have the opportunity to share their work with a diverse audience and shape the discourse on the future of parklets in California and beyond.

Session Types
  • Presentation, panel session: Appropriate for more detailed presentations on case studies, policy analysis, project evaluation and research findings. Ten minutes per presentation. Presentations will be grouped into 60-minute sessions to include a moderated Q&A at the end.
  • Presentation, Pecha Kucha: Quick Four Minutes with up to twenty slides per presenter. Ideal for sharing a provocative or innovative idea, highlighting a case study, or posing a challenging question. Presenters grouped into 45-minute sessions
  • Interactive Workshop: Ideal for hands-on trainings of toolkits, evaluation methods, or other resources you have developed. These sessions can also be leveraged to brainstorm solutions and gather feedback on policy, design, or other challenges. Sessions are 60 minutes.
  • Site visit or tour: Bring visitors to a real world site (or sites close together). Best when designers, planners, community members and/or stewards of the project are on hand to talk about challenges and successes. 90-minute sessions; including transit back and forth between main venue and site. Public transit and/or bikeshare encouraged.
Timetable
  • Jan 2025: Call for Proposals released
  • Fri, 14 Feb, 5:00 PM PST: Deadline to submit proposals (EXTENDED from Feb 7th!)
  • Wed, 19 Feb: Presenters notified of acceptance.
  • Wed, 26 Feb: Deadline for Presenters to confirm participation & attendance. Registration opens (check back on this webpage for registration details & link).
  • Wed, 19 Mar: Early Bird Registration Deadline for General Public + Speakers
  • Wed, 2 Apr: Presenters’ pdf presentations due. Site Tour itineraries and timetables locked.
  • Thu 10 – Sat 12, Apr 2025: Symposium In-Person
Submission Guidelines

Submittals are accepted digitally via webform HERE. You may submit more than one proposal, each for a different idea. Each submittal must be made in a single session. The webform is for submitting one proposal at a time.

 

  1. Proposal
    1. Title (300 characters)
    2. Narrative Description (3000 characters max)
    3. Relevance to at least two of the Symposium Themes
    4. Takeaways for attendees
    5. Supporting Images (5 images max, 1MB max each)(optional)
  2. Presenter(s) information
    1. Full name(s) and contact information
    2. Professional title(s) and affiliation
    3. A brief bio (1000 characters max)
    4. Headshot (1MB max, square format color preferred)
Call for Volunteers

The Organizing Committee is seeking volunteer support with event planning & logistics Volunteers will receive a waiver for registration fees for the entire symposium 

To express interest, please fill out the Volunteer webform HERE. 

Co-Presenting Partners
Program Committee

Robin Abad Ocubillo, John Bela, Luisa Bravo, Monica Munowitch, Shruti Shankar, Ilaria Salvadori

Advisory Committee

Blaine Merker

 

For questions or more information, please email parklet.studies@gmail.com with “Symposium” in the subject line.