Porous Body of Tbilisi: Courtyards at Risk and the Future of Urban Commons
As part of the European Action Week 2026, Ubani is organising an international conference, which explores Tbilisi’s unique porous urban morphology — a network of courtyards, passages, and shared spaces, while also drawing on case studies presented by contributors from Paris, Berlin, and Mexico City.
Rather than focusing solely on individual monuments or historic buildings, this event will explore the urban fabric as a living system that supports collective life, social interaction, cultural memory, and shared urban experiences. Many of these qualities are threatened by development pressures, physical deterioration, fragmented ownership patterns, changing social structures, and the gradual loss of permeability and shared spaces. While individual buildings often receive attention within heritage discussions, the urban environment and the spatial networks that connect them frequently remain overlooked.
The forum will bring together contributors from Berlin, Paris, and Mexico City, who will join the discussion online and draw on their case studies to examine why these often-overlooked urban forms matter and what they can teach us about more inclusive urban development. The discussion will address collective spaces, permeability, urban commons, and preservation approaches that consider the wider urban fabric beyond individual buildings.
The local context, with a focus on Tbilisi’s porous body, will be introduced by architect and Ubani co-founder Nata Tatunashvili, who will also moderate the discussions with the invited contributors. In addition to talks, the program will include Q&A sessions and networking opportunities.
Program
Nata Tatunashvili
Architect, founder of Ubani and NWDS
Introduction to “Ezologia – Porous Body of Tbilisi,” a project initiated by the non-profit organisation Ubani and the architecture studio NWDS
Edouard Moreau
Urban designer and co-founder of Orchestra Design with over 20 years of international experience
“Berlin Morphotypes of Collective Space”
Anton GorlenkoBerlin-based architect, photographer and researcher working across architecture, education, and research through Gorlenko Studio
Victor Karovskiy
Berlin-based architect working across architecture, research and community-based initiatives
“Culture and Form: Las Casas de Vecindad in Mexico City”
James O’BrienArchitect registered with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and co-founder and director of O’Brien Van der Steen
Q&A with the audience moderated by Nata Tatunashvili
Open Discussions & Networking
Concluding Remarks & Conference Closing
Visitors Info
The event is organised by Ubani. It's partner and host is Design Institute.
The conference is taking place as part of European Action Week 2026.
About European Action Week
A Europe-wide, decentralized format that brings together initiatives, organisations and committed individuals to jointly advance the process towards a socially just and sustainable transformation of our built environment and society.
Hosted by Architects for Future.
Funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). Funding was provided pursuant to a resolution of the German Bundestag.
Co-funded by the European Union.
More info about the European Action Week 2026, can be found here.