How do we imagine cities beyond the limits of our collapsing present?

In this thought-provoking talk, Tom Rivard explores how storytelling, adaptation and design can help us reimagine the urban future. As our world undergoes accelerating transformation—ecological, social and economic—Tom challenges us to think beyond the constraints of the “now.” He introduces Narrative City-making as a way to reconnect natural systems, communities and infrastructure, and to create cities that evolve as living, regenerative instruments for change.

Rather than accepting familiar versions of the present, Tom invites us to imagine transformative futures—where cities become stories of resilience, restoration and possibility.

About Tom Rivard

Tom is a futurist, urbanist, architect, artist and educator whose work bridges design, ecology and imagination. With decades of experience in climate adaptation and systems-based design, he has developed a distinctive approach called Narrative City-making, combining resilience, community restoration and regenerative infrastructure.

His projects range from invisible rivers in Los Angeles to a re-naturalised Sydney Harbour precinct grounded in radical co-existence. Through his teaching, advisory roles and public engagement, Tom advocates for one idea above all: better cities begin with better stories.