Urban provocateurs share their thoughts on the future of Coburg at this year’s Melbourne Design Week
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Merri-bek City Council and RMIT PlaceLab are proudly partnering to present: Disruptive Ideas for Revitalising Coburg—a thought provoking panel discussion on the future of Coburg as part of this year’s Melbourne Design Week.
On Tuesday 28 May at Schoolhouse Studios—right in the heart of Coburg—the Disruptive Ideas for Revitalising Coburg panel will invite the audience to question: what is possible for Coburg if we look at its future from radically different angles?
Hosted by Merri-bek City Council Mayor Adam Pulford, a panel of esteemed urban provocateurs will delve into unconventional approaches to public space and urban design on the night, asking how these approaches could be incorporated in Coburg. The lineup of speakers includes:
- Hon A/Prof Esther Anatolitis: As one of Australia’s leading advocates for arts and culture, Anatolitis brings a unique perspective as the Editor of Meanjin and an Associate Professor at RMIT School of Art.
- Dr. Simona Castricum: With a multi-faceted background spanning architecture, music, and broadcasting, Castricum promises to challenge conventional notions of urban landscapes. A spatial designer, her practice—D4TGD—Design for Trans and Gender Diverse—centres on developing research-led design justice methodologies in gendered spaces.
- Celeste Morgan: As Integrated Water Management Lead (Australasia) at Arup, Morgan offers insights into sustainable development and environmental considerations crucial to Coburg's future. She has worked globally to reimagine cityscapes to harness and celebrate water, reframing what has historically been hidden, to instead be a shaper of place, building resilience, supporting greening and revitalising waterways
- Jan van Schaik: As an artist, architect and creative-practice researcher and Senior Lecturer at RMIT Architecture, van Schaik brings an interdisciplinary approach to the conversation, exploring intersections between art, architecture, and community engagement.
- Lauren Garner: As an architect and Associate Lecturer at RMIT Architecture & Urban Design, Garner adds depth to discussions with unique expertise exploring design beyond physical boundaries, emphasizing lesser-known narratives of place.
The event is part of Council’s ongoing project The Coburg Conversation, which seeks to harness community feedback and expertise to shape the long-term vision for Council-owned properties in the heart of Coburg. From a brand-new Coburg Library, to the creation of new, inviting public spaces and housing, including social and affordable housing, Council’s objectives for revitalising the heart of Coburg have been shaped by the vision and hopes of our community Council heard through The Coburg Conversation.
"There’s so much we love about Coburg – and it’s an important meeting place for diverse members of our community. But right now, walking through the heart of Coburg can feel like walking through a barren sea of car parks,” said Mayor Adam Pulford.
“Over decades, Council has purchased a number of these carparks, as well as supermarkets and other pieces of land in Coburg. This puts Council in a powerful position to influence the future of the area. Our vision and plan to revitalise the heart of Coburg is an incredibly exciting opportunity for urban renewal.
“This is a big job that will take time to make sure we get it right. We are being guided from the start by what our community has told us through the Coburg Conversation. We’ve heard from our community that they want this part of Coburg to be greener, cooler and more pedestrian and bike friendly. Community members also want a modern, multi-purpose library and more public open space – and want high quality, well-designed housing to be available to everyone, no matter their income.
“This Melbourne Design Week event will continue the conversation with our community about the future of Coburg. We’re excited to hear and take note of the disruptive ideas shared by our panelists and community members.”
This event marks the inception of a participatory design project, a collaborative effort between Council, RMIT Master of Architecture students, and the community. Together, participants will explore new models for understanding place and design, envisioning a revitalised Coburg that fosters diverse public life and sustains future generations.
Book your free tickets to Disruptive Ideas for Revitalising Coburg
For more information on The Coburg Conversation, please visit: The Coburg Conversation | Conversations Merri-bek.
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