Keeping as a general reference the theme Connecting the city: connecting citizens (Access to networks and flows to improve citizenship), the Biennial tries to explore the spatial impact of transport and other networks suppliers of resources such as information, materials and energy, and tackle the challenges they create for spatial planning.

• Is the rise and interconnection of networks at all scales inducing more concentrated or disperse developments?

• How can planners develop efficient networks and make them compatible with friendlier, more environmentally sound cities?

• How can we ensure citizens and neighbourhoods attain parity of access to those services provided by networks so as to avoid social and spatial exclusion?

These questions and others suggested by European planners have to be explored and further developed at the different workshops held during the event:

Focusing on the different conceptions and levels of connectivity is a today’s crucial aspect to understand systems as complex as cities, and to formulate plans, programs and projects balancing economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection. How do cities and regions manage the growing flows of information, persons, freight, energy, water and waste when planning urban and regional development? How do they manage to control the impacts of these flows in the environment and the quality of life of citizens?