CC-BYMady, Christine2024-11-292024-11-292024978-94-64981-82-7https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14235/2281Game changer? Planning for just and sustainable urban regions, Paris, 8-12th July 2024With globally increasing challenges for the role of public spaces and their contribution to inclusion and justice within urban settings, this article examines the repurposing of transport infrastructure to provide dedicated walking and cycling public spaces, specifically the case of Baana in Helsinki, Finland, a former freight railway conduit. Building on the concepts of mobility design and walking as a social experience, the article examines Baana’s role both as a non-motorised transit space, and one supporting fluid encounters among diverse users. The impact of Baana’s design is examined – in terms of utility, attractiveness, and symbolism – on pedestrians’ activities, experiences, and perceptions. Initial findings reveal Baana’s barriers and potentials and serve to develop further research on addressing differential pedestrian experiences, to inform future mobility design processes. Keywords: Baana, fluid encounters, Helsinki, inclusion, mobility designEnglishopenAccessconferenceObject1442-1468