Dive into Urban Transformation: swimmable cities as livable cities, an evening with Rob Stokes

Join us for an evening of conversation as we reimagine and enact the future of our urban waterways. Hosted by Regen Melbourne, this event welcomes Rob Stokes the former NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Cities, and Active Transport (2021–2023), who will share his unique insights and experiences in unlocking the potential of swimmable urban rivers and the profound transformations they bring to our cities.

Drawing from experiences across Sydney’s Blue/Green grid, making the Parramatta River swimmable again and the Places to Swim initiative, Rob will delve into the essential elements of these transformation—from behind-the-scenes evolutions to the role of public participation in realising the vision. We’ll have a conversation about how this applies to Melbourne, as we continue progress towards a Swimmable Birrarung, a movement that continues to grow in momentum as an urban regeneration opportunity. Together, we’ll explore how centering livability and fostering urban democracy can unlock the transformations our cities need for future generations. Let’s make our waterways swimmable, our cities livable, and our communities stronger—together.

As we celebrate the close of the successful exhibition of the REIMAGINING THE BIRRARUNG 2070 at the NGV, join us for an evening of conversation and a private tour of the exhibition (closing on the 2nd Feb!). There will time for networking over light canapes across the evening.