New Outdoor Arts Portugal publication challenges assumptions about culture, the city, and public space

When we step outside, what place are we looking for? This book explores how public space can be transformed through collective participation, artistic intervention, and placemaking. At the intersection of sustainability, aesthetics, and social engagement, it examines how creative processes shape more inclusive, dynamic, and meaningful urban environments. Bringing together insights from experts in public space, urban development, and the arts, this volume delves into the sectoral challenges of placemaking, the role of artistic creation in shaping cities and rural areas, and the power of outdoor arts to foster social and cultural wellbeing. By positioning performing and visual arts as catalysts for dialogue, participation, and shared urban experiences, this book invites readers to reimagine cities not just as places we inhabit, but as ever-evolving spaces co-created by communities, artists, and policymakers. Available online for free.