The aim of this research paper is to explore the sustainable approach towards the management of public spaces. The paper is divided into seven sections. In the beginning, a discussion of why management of public spaces is generally an important subject is described by means of a literature review. The second part of the paper focuses on the value of public space, providing an overview of the benefits of, and roles played by, properly defined and planned public spaces. The third part of the paper presents a detailed discussion of the process of what is seen to be an innovative approach to the management of public spaces. Significant objectives are identified, in accordance with the new process of public space management, its impact, and synergies. In the fourth part, the research methodology is discussed. This section outlines the two approaches taken towards a case study of temporary use of public space in Slovakia and a survey exploring the success of the temporary approach.Finally, the outcome of the case study and results of the survey are outlined, highlighting interesting potential best practices regarding the temporary use of public spaces. The results of the case study suggest that the planning of public spaces plays a significant role in the cities; consequently, the creation of public spaces must be considered as one of the most important aspects when analysing strategies towards sustainable urban development.

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Energy efficiency has been of the key topics for urban planning for the past few years in relation to sustainable development, resilience as well as climate change. There are many technological approaches aiming at efficient use of energy, innovative technologies and renewable sources of energy, but what is often missing is its relation to spatial planning and planning system and documentation. Horizon 2020 project Making City is striving to promote Positive Energy District (PED) planning and methodology aiming at development of new integrated strategies to address the urban energy system transformation towards low carbon cities, with the PED approach as the core of the urban energy transition pathway. It is implemented on the level of cities and city districts, having two types of areas – two lighthouse cities and six follower cities. The city of Trencin (Slovakia) is one of the follower cities where multiple urban areas have been selected to replicate the PED concept developed by the project consortium. Trencin is the eight largest city is Slovakia with a rich manufacturing history in textile and arms industry. It is currently focusing on diversified its economic activities in the sectors of tourism, innovation, culture and industry. The PED replication will involve a broader city centre area including multiple municipal buildings (schools and sports infrastructures) and residential buildings (individual housing and apartments). The following paper describes the key notions from the PED concept providing a holistic approach on harmonizing energy and urban planning for energy. It evolved from single, unintegrated, simple “building” based interventions into PED concepts looking forward to reaching energy and climate targets which will lead to an integrated energy planning. The paper further explores this PED approach in the city of Trencin, including the challenges it had to overcome during the implementation, as well as perspectives for its future development. The aim of the project further on is to create a standardized concept ready to be the core of specific urban energy transitions planning processes.