MTalks—Citizen-led, Government Dread: Why is it so hard to get civic-minded projects happening?

Melbourne is recognised as the world’s most liveable city, and the most intelligent. But what does the city do to remain relevant and maintain these accolades? European cities are seeing river and ocean pools open in the major cities almost monthly; urban farms are activating disused spaces and creating vital services and income to displaced members of the public; and events that encourage wide community participation have been created right across Asia to engage the active millennial traveler and growing population. Listen in on a vibrant and urgent discussion about the processes and challenges of gaining funding and approval for community- and market-led projects in Melbourne with a panel of speakers who share their experiences of getting projects off the ground and developed. Led by Yarra Pools, this conversation sought to understand whether we are hesitant as a city to move forward on validated and global ideas. Mat Pember from the Little Veggie Patch Co spoke about his pop-up patch in Federation Square; Courtney Carthy shared the journey of the Inflatable Regatta, and lastly Mirerva Holmes discusses the four-year journey to take the Yarra Pool from concept to community-driven reality. The panel was moderated by Caroline Clements, founding editor of Broadsheet and author of the exciting new release, Places We Swim. Image courtesy of Yarra Pools and Studio Octopi.