Melbourne will profile its reputation as a garden city, as prominent visionaries from the horticultural, ecology and design industries take centre stage at Fed Square for a free Melbourne Conversations event on urban green space.

The Future Proofing Green Spaces conversation on Thursday 27 March will focus on the importance of fostering Melbourne’s connection with nature.

Panellists will dive into discussion on Laak Boorndap – an 18,000 square metre urban garden set to transform the Melbourne Arts Precinct with a densely planted, biodiverse space for people, art and performance.

Acting Director of Engagement and Impact at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Émer Harrington, will host the session, with panellists including:

Professor James Hitchmough – British horticulturalist, author and Emeritus Professor of Horticultural Ecology at the University of Sheffield. In 2024, Professor Hitchmough received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of the Society of Garden Designers. He worked as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus from 1983-93.
Associate Professor Claire Farrell – Director of University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus and a renowned green infrastructure researcher, offering a scientific perspective on how urban greening can make cities more climate resilient.
Jirra Lulla Harvey – Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri creative and founder of Kalinya Studios, a First Nations firm that consults on city-shaping projects to Indigenise design and increase collaboration.
Jon Hazelwood – Principal and Landscape Architect at Hassell, the lead designers for Laak Boorndap. Jon’s work consistently emphasises the significance of urban biodiversity in our cities.

The panel event is being presented through a partnership between the City of Melbourne and the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation (MAP Co), which is overseeing the delivery of the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, including Laak Boorndap.

The event will also explore how to ensure the City of Melbourne’s 570 hectares of public and green open space can support the community into the future.

Future Proofing Green Spaces is the second event in the 2025 Melbourne Conversations program. The six-part series analyses how the city continues to change through the lenses of density, movement, place-making, housing, transport and climate adaptation.

Attendance is free, but registration is essential through What’s On Melbourne. A curated selection of borrowable books and other learning resources will also be available at a pop-up library on the evening.

Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Nick Reece

“Victoria used to be known as the garden state and now we’re making Melbourne the garden city.”

“Our green spaces are more important as ever as our population grows and temperatures rise.”

“Future Proofing Green Spaces will bring together the best minds in design, ecology and sustainability to reimagine how nature and city life can thrive together.”

Quote attributable to Tourism and Events portfolio head Councillor Mark Scott

“Melbourne is a city built on big ideas – and this event is an opportunity for our community to hear how we can improve our city’s green spaces and make them more accessible to more Melburnians.”

Quote attributable to Principal and Landscape Architect at Hassell, Jon Hazelwood

“Melbourne’s Laak Boorndap urban garden is one of the most ambitious and influential urban greening projects to date. Its focus is a celebration of nature in the city, a place for both people and local wildlife species like Blue Banded Bees to co-exist, and will provide valuable insights into future-proofing the city’s existing and future greenery. This is a must-attend event for anyone invested in the future of the city’s green spaces.”

Quote attributable to Director of University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus, Associate Professor Claire Farrell

“Like the flora within them, public green spaces are constantly evolving. From small green infrastructure projects to landmark precincts like Laak Boorndap, research-led approaches to urban plantings have never been more important – it is key to supporting thriving environments. The Future Proofing Green Spaces discussion at Fed Square will explore how game-changing approaches like this will hold our cities in good stead for years to come.”

Quote attributable to founder of Kalinya Studios and Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri woman, Jirra Lulla Harvey

“To future proof our cities, we must deepen our understanding of the ecosystems that existed before the cities were built.”

“Future proofing our cities requires intergenerational practices. Guided by the knowledge of our Elders and shaped by the insights of the next generations who are deeply concerned about the health of our natural environment.”

“Future proofing greenspace means regenerating our connections to the waterways.”

INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.

Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au