European cities boast some of the most impressive public spaces in the world. From the Piazza Navona in Rome to the Superkilen Urban Park in Copenhagen, civic spaces across the continent deserve to be celebrated for setting atmospheric tone and shifting a city’s overall culture. The Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona has been awarding the European Prize for Urban Public Spaces since 1999 to recognize these necessary designs. According to the CCCB, “The aim of the prize is to recognize and foster the public character of urban spaces and their capacity for fostering social cohesion.”

For the ninth edition of this award, a panel of designers, architects, critics, and directors of major art and design institutions have chosen 25 projects out of 276 entries from 33 countries. All of the finalists will be included in a traveling exhibition that will be shown around the world. The winners and special mentions will be announced on July 4.

Fish Market by Dinko Peračić; Vodice, Croatia (2015)

Test Site Rotterdam by the IABR and ZUS; Rotterdam, Netherlands (2015)

"Ring of Memory": International Memorial of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette by Philippe Prost at AAPP Agence d'Architecture; Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, France (2014)

Embellishment of Sant Miquel Square by Paisaje Transversal; Olot, Spain (2015)

Harbor Public Bath by Urban Agency, JDS, Creo, Sloth Møller; Fåborg-Midtfyn, Denmark (2014)

"Mierīgi" by Fine Young Urbanists; Riga, Latvia (2014)

Escaravox by Andrés Jaque Architects; Madrid, Spain (2014)

Cycleways Network between Santa Pola and Alacant by RAS Architects; Santa Pola, Spain (2015)

"Arquipélago" Contemporary Arts Center by : Menos é Mais Arquitectos and João Mendes Ribeiro; Ribeira Grande, Portugal (2014)

Cykelslangen by DISSING+WEITLING Architecture; Copenhagen, Denmark (2014)

Forest Clearing by Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur; Uster, Switzerland (2014)

Lookout and Protection Building of the Genovés Park by José Luis Bezos Alonso; Cádiz, Spain (2015)

Nørreport Station by Gottlieb Paludan Architects; Copenhagen, Denmark (2015)

Refurbishment of Tåsinge Square by GHB Landskabsarkitekter; Copenhagen, Denmark (2014)

Improvement of Barkingside Town Centre by DK-CM; London, United Kingdom (2015)

New Multi-Purpose Canopy by BAUKUNST; Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Belgium (2015)

Wooden Benches for the Main Square by Fernando Menis; Bürchen, Switzerland (2015)

New Coastal Defence Dyke by OKRA Landscape Architects; Katwijk, Netherlands (2015)

New Lift to the Old City Centre by Carles Enrich; Gironella, Spain (2015)

Renovation of "Promenada" by Enota; Velenje, Slovenia (2014)

Temporary Bridge over the Charleroi Canal by Gijs Van Vaerenbergh; Brussels, Belgium (2014)

Dialogue Centre “Przełomy” at Solidarność Square by KWK PROMES; Szczecin, Poland (2015)

Recovery of the Irrigation System at the Thermal Orchards by Cavaa Arquitectes; Caldes de Montbui, Spain (2015)

"R-Urban": Network of Urban Commons by Atelier Architecture Autogérée; Colombes, France (2014)

Heavenly Hundred Garden by the volunteers of Heavenly Hundred Garden; Kiev, Ukraine (2016)