WHAT MAKES A PUBLIC SPACE GREAT?

HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT THE PLACES WHERE WE GATHER ARE AUTHENTIC, WELCOMING, VIABLE AND ARE PROUDLY EMBRACED BY THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE?

As social, environmental and physical demands on our cities extrapolate, the places where we gather have become increasingly important. What does it take to make these places authentic and viable and why, as the conversation about “place” has become more fashionable, do we miss the mark so often?

Who better to lead this discussion than Kate Brennan who was CEO of Fed Square from 2005-16, when it became the heart of Melbourne with over 2000 community and cultural events and 10 million visits each year?

Kate has a particular interest and expertise in providing for inclusive, creative and collaborative cities and, in particular, the successful planning and management of public realm infrastructure and activities and the role of cultural practice in the lives of communities and cities.

Kate is now a consultant with a focus on spatial and activity planning and a member of several cultural boards and committees. Her previous roles have included CEO of the Adelaide Festival Centre Manager of Community and Cultural Development at Melbourne City Council and Chair of the South Australian Capital City Forum which advised the SA Government and Adelaide City Council on Adelaide’s development. She has also led smaller arts and community-based organisations with a focus on inclusion and social justice.

Kate has always been an active member of local and international business, arts, tourism and community organisations. She is a board member of the Canberra City Renewal Authority and the Australia Council for the Arts’ Major Performing Arts Advisory Panel. For the past 4 years she has provided advice to the Bangaroo Delivery Authority about planning and activating its public spaces. She is an active member of several groups with education and community improvement objectives including Melbourne University’s Research Unit in Public Cultures.