Founded in 2023 by architect, artist and educator Milan Mijalkovic, UNPLATZ! was created to revitalise an area that, despite hosting major international institutions, lacked the qualities of a vibrant public meeting place. 

Its name reflects this ambition: while "Unplatz" can mean a "non-place" in German, it also refers to the nearby United Nations headquarters. The project aims to transform this overlooked urban space into a meaningful civic forum.

Born in Skopje and based in Vienna since 2001, Mijalkovic believes modern cities need more spaces where people can meet face-to-face. While Vienna is celebrated for its quality of life, he argues that many public spaces are increasingly shaped by tourism and commercial activity, leaving fewer opportunities for spontaneous civic interaction.

"The public sphere we need now doesn't arise from debating with enslaved machines, but from confronting equal and free people in the open air," Mijalkovic says.

After beginning with temporary interventions and performances, UNPLATZ! Expanded into its first festival in 2024. In 2026, the initiative grew further, using both the outdoor square and the Donaucity Church as venues for exhibitions, discussions and artistic installations.

Under the theme "Public life doesn't happen by itself – it has to be created," this year's programme encouraged dialogue through performances, installations and community events. A highlight was the Position Plus exhibition inside the Donaucity Church, featuring works by around 40 artists.

The church was deliberately chosen as an open civic venue rather than solely a religious space. According to Mijalkovic, the collaboration originated with the church community itself, which welcomed discussions about culture and society. The exhibition also sparked criticism and petitions from some groups, reflecting broader debates over public space and artistic freedom.

Supported by partners including Donaustadt District authorities, TU Wien, cultural organisations and Austria's Ministry of Culture, UNPLATZ! combines urban design, artistic practice and civic engagement. Although several participating artists have Balkan roots, the project remains international, selecting contributors based on artistic merit rather than origin.

As Vienna continues to evolve, UNPLATZ! offers a vision of urban development centred on participation rather than infrastructure alone. By transforming an overlooked area into a place for dialogue, it demonstrates how culture can strengthen democratic life.

Whether the initiative becomes a permanent fixture remains uncertain, but its message is already clear: public space is not simply inherited—it is created through the active participation of communities.