The Erasmus Foundation which, through the Prize, recognises exceptional contributions to European culture, has this year given the award to Joan Busquets for his outstanding contribution in the field of urban planning. Professor of Urban Planning and Design at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, Joan Busquets has taken part in the strategic planning and design of several cities including Barcelona (where, from the City Council, he led the project of transforming of the city in preparation for the Olympic Games), Lisbon, The Hague, Marseilles, Toulouse, Milan, Geneva, Sao Paulo and Singapore.

Participating in the Symposium, which is to focus on the social importance of public space, will be Max Sparreboom (director of the Erasmus Foundation), Jo Coenen (Chief Government architect and urban planner in Holland), Maarten Kloos (jury member and director of the ARCAM Gallery of Amsterdam), together with the Catalan architects Beth Galí and Carlos Ferrater.