The Elastic City: Fragility, Dynamism, Change

Photo credit: Laurie Thomas, Elevated view of Melbourne looking south-east, 1983. State Library of Victoria

The Australian Garden History Society and the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) join together to present a forum discussion on the Elastic City, considering the fragility, dynamism and changes facing our cities.

Cities are elastic, yet elasticity has its limits. Elasticity respects change yet is also imbued with the quality of returning to a known state. Yet we know cities cannot remain static. Gardens and urban landscapes share with cities those qualities of fragility and dynamism. And we also know that gardens and urban landscapes cannot remain static.

How do we engage with change in cities and their garden character and landscape context in ways that respect dynamism and fragility? How do we harness the qualities that give our cities their elasticity without taking that stress to a breaking point?

This event invites participants to reflect on cities, gardens and urban landscapes. The forum panellists driving the conversation to embrace the continuum between theory and practice and are vitally involved in the debate on contemporary landscape design in our cities. The panel discussion seeks opinions on managing cities that address issues from wide historical, social, and cultural perspectives.

This event is aimed at those interested in the future of our urban environments and especially those involved in guiding processes that will shape those futures. Local government planners, heritage consultants, historians, architects, designers and all those concerned about our cities and their hinterlands can participate to share knowledge, ideas, and opinions. Join us for this vital discussion. Share your concerns and ideas. Connect with others who value cities, gardens and urban landscapes.

Monday 23 October 2017

7pm – 8:30pm

FREE EVENT ( Limited tickets available) 

Speakers:

Vanessa Walker, Associate, Context Heritage Consultants

Dr David Nichols, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Melbourne

Amy Davidson, Landscape Architect & Urban Designer

Maddison Miller, Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub

Loop Project Space & Bar

23 Meyers Place, Melbourne

VIC 3000