Melbourne Conversations returns with bold discussion on public spaces

The City of Melbourne’s longest-running free public talk series, Melbourne Conversations, will launch its 2025 season with a forum exploring the role Melbourne’s public space plays in its ever-evolving urban identity.

On Monday, February 24, guests will hear from leading urban design experts and academics who will convene at The Edge at Fed Square for the event, titled This Is Public … Space.

Produced by the City of Melbourne, Open House Melbourne and Fed Square, the conversation will explore what constitutes public space and how it can drive culture and connection.

It will also examine unique public spaces like Fed Square and consider the upcoming impact of major infrastructure works like the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation and Metro Tunnel.

Walkley award-winning journalist and community activist, Dr Jeff Sparrow will moderate the discussion, with panellists including landscape architecture firm Oculus associate director Claire Martin, Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation director and CEO Katrina Sedgwick, chair of architecture and urban design and director of the Informal Urbanism Research Hub at University of Melbourne Professor Kim Dovey and architectural practitioner, academic and write Sarah Lynn Rees.

“Melbourne Conversations is back for bigger and bolder conversations in 2025,” Lord Mayor Nick Reece said.

Great public spaces are part of the secret sauce that makes Melbourne one of the world’s most liveable cities.

“From University Square to the Metro Tunnel openings, the city is buzzing with transformative projects. Now is the perfect time to explore how we can shape public spaces to benefit even more Melburnians.”

“Last year’s program sold out so get in fast.”

Following a fully-booked program in 2024, this year’s Melbourne Conversations schedule will deliver six events around the central theme of “Metro/Morphosis” – the examining the vital signs of contemporary Melbourne across density, movement, place-making, housing, transport and climate adaptation.

According to the City of Melbourne's open space strategy, around 15 per cent of the total area of the municipality is dedicated to open space – equating to around 570 hectares of public parks, gardens, waterways, forecourts, plazas, and sporting venues.

The council’s new innovation and education portfolio head Cr Andrew Rowse said the best part of the program was that it amplified and “opens up the robust conversations that are already happening in our community.”

A curated selection of borrowable books and other learning resources will also be available at a pop-up library on the evening.

This Is Public … Space is free to attend however registrations are essential. Tickets are available now via What’s On Melbourne.