Many European metropolises are rethinking the function of their public space. Cycling and walking are becoming the preferred ways of moving around and the design of public space reflects this. In this session we will hear from Jelle Therry how his office West 8 rescued the old Manzanares river in Madrid river from the suffocating grip of the highway that used to snake around it. Gert-Jan Wisse will explain how B + B transformed the famous Mariahilfer Strasse of Vienna into a pedestrian paradise. A big part of his story focuses on how they managed to get enough public support. In the beginning their ideas for redesigning the area were not popular they only gradually got more support. An interesting experience form the field.