Power to the People: The importance of democratic public spaces

You’re invited! Join us on Tuesday, 23 January 2018 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm for our first ever MTalk, Power to the People: the importance of democratic public spaces. Held at MPavilion in the heart of Melbourne, you’ll hear from architect, urban designer and A4P’s founder Beatriz Maturana Cossio; professor of architecture and urban design at the University of Melbourne, Kim Dovey; architect, design tutor and researcher, Peter Raisbeck; and moderator Lara Brown, writer and former senior editor of Chicago Architect magazine.

The discussion will focus on the history and importance of democratic public spaces in urban environments, examining the necessity of places that are free and open to all members of the public. Looking at relevant examples from Melbourne and around the world, we’ll delve into the challenges of contemporary public spaces.  

Beatriz Maturana Cossio will discuss the origins of Architects for Peace and politics of space. She’ll be joined by Peter Raisbeck, who will focus on topics from his Design Activism course, including: occupying and democratizing space and how architects can serve as advocates. Kim Hovey will also weigh in on the design of public space, the politics of authority and resistance, and the commercialization and privatization of public space.

We hope you’ll join us at our first MTalk at MPavilion. There will be drinks and snacks available at the MPavilion bar. Register now. Free and open to the public.

This event is made possible in part to a grant from the City of Melbourne.