The December line-up at MPavilion is chockablock with thought-provoking talks, workshops and performances, providing a range of perspectives on re-imagining our urban future. To help you craft your itinerary, and to ease you through to the end of the silly season, here’s our top picks:

Creating Space: where is it found, who is it for, and how should it be used?

Thursday 5 December, 6.15 – 7.15pm

How is Melbourne providing more open space for its growing population? Are Melbourne property leaders effectively incorporating open space into their developments? Through a series of panel discussions, this conversation will explore Melbourne’s approach to green, open and public space – and how it’s shaping our society. More info here.

MTalks: Eugenia Lim and APHIDS present ‘on work and mobility’.

Tuesday 10 December, 6.15 – 7.30pm

Join artist Eugenia Lim and leading thinkers and advocates from across the fields of labour and industrial relations, in a panel that explores working in the digital age, and the impact of the gig economy on our relationships, rights, creativity and bodies. Speakers include Sarah Kaine, Associate Professor, School of Business, UTS; artist and performance maker Roshelle Fong; and former Foodora worker Josh Klooger. More info here.

‘Imagining Future Cities by Connecting with Past Visions’ with Flavia Marcello, Ian Woodcock and Jeni Paay.

Thursday 12 December, 5 – 6pm

In the midst of global climate disaster, how can architects think beyond the realm of the possible and create new visions of the future? Have utopian visions of the past eventuated, and how can we learn from them? Scholars of architectural history, urban planning and human-centred design discuss these questions in the context of smart cities, while reflecting on past imaginings and the role architects play in shaping how people live. More info here.

MTalks: Design Culture: Creating with and Within Cultures

Wednesday 18 December, 5 – 6pm

A designer should be able to lift themselves out of their preconceived ideas and apply open-minded design principles to any project. Conversely, designers are selected on their unique talent and experience. As designers, especially when working internationally, how do we know when to respect what’s gone before us? Join Lex Design Agency and Goodss Design in a discussion exploring the complexities of creating with and within cultures. More info here.

Head over to the MPavilion website to peruse the full programme of upcoming events.

Image: courtesy of MPavilion