Throughout history, both citizens and authorities have used public space to express their vision of society. In the 19th century, British control of a distant southern colony was achieved partly through town planning - notably the exclusion of the piazza (or town square). Today this legacy presents an ongoing challenge for Melburnians seeking to develop an open, vibrant public realm. We are clamouring to get back open spaces that encouraged public discourse, collaboration and community. Aaron Magro will discuss how far we have come in Melbourne, and what else can be done.”

BIO

Aaron Magro is a PhD. Candidate in the Department of Archaeology and History at La Trobe University, Melbourne. His current research analyses how key 20th century planning schemes, handed down by various authorities in Victoria, Australia, contributed to the shaping of physical spaces across the city, and as a result, how people interacted with them across time. Working within the parameters of urban history, his focus is on the physical form, and how it influences people’s perceptions of, and interactions with, space. 

6:30 PM @Belleville, Globe Alley, Melbourne VIC 3000

Entrance over 18  |  The venue is wheelchair accessible.