Anthology by WTA Labs: Starting a Talk Series

WTA Labs launches its first Talk under Anthology Dialogues Anthology Dialogues

Towards Improving Social Life in Public Spaces

WTA Anthology Dialogues is a periodic roundtable discussion series that brings together voices from diverse sectors — academe, culture, policy, business, science, and advocacy — to converse on the most urgent challenges facing our cities and communities. The platform aims to foster constructive dialogue, broaden perspectives, and catalyze collaborative thinking on urban issues.

Towards Improving Social Life in Public Spaces

The inaugural session explores how social life in Philippine cities can be strengthened by rethinking the role of public spaces. It seeks insights on both opportunities and constraints within the urban environment — from the scarcity of open spaces and the persistence of long commutes, to the fragmentation caused by sprawling neighborhoods. The discussion aims to surface practical, interdisciplinary ideas on how cities can better nurture everyday interactions, shared experiences, and inclusive social environments.

Intended Outcomes

• Generate multi-sector perspectives on improving social life in public spaces

• Identify key challenges and opportunities in the local urban context

• Inform future research directions and design strategies of WTA Labs

• Build a network of collaborators and thought partners for ongoing urban discourse