Living Cities Forum

The Living Cities Forum explores contemporary urban issues, focusing on the critical examination of design, planning, and cultural narratives shaping present and future cities. The event engages with themes such as the interplay between architecture, public space, and the built environment, with an emphasis on pressing concerns like urban sustainability, social inclusivity, and Indigenous perspectives. Each year, the forum adopts a distinct thematic focus, encouraging multidisciplinary dialogue around the challenges and potentials of urban life.

The target audience includes urban planners, architects, landscape architects, policymakers, academics, students, artists, and community leaders, as well as broader members of the design and cultural sectors with an interest in city-making processes. The forum facilitates knowledge exchange across multiple industries involved in shaping urban environments, reflecting a collective approach to addressing complex city issues.

Notable speakers and panellists for the Living Cities Forum have previously included internationally recognised figures such as Lesley Lokko (architect and educator), Rahul Mehrotra (architect and urbanist), Junya Ishigami (architect), and Carolyn Whitzman (housing policy researcher). The program typically features keynote presentations, panels, and discussions with both Australian and international contributors from architecture, planning, research, and the arts. Participating organisations often include influential design practices, academic institutions, and policy-advisory groups.

Curated and presented by the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, the forum serves as a key platform in Australia for the exchange of ideas and strategies concerning urban development and the cultural life of cities. It is widely regarded as a significant event fostering critical discourse, innovation, and collaboration among professionals and communities engaged in designing more liveable, equitable, and resilient cities.