21 November 2017: Leading experts in urban planning and creative expression are meeting in Canberra to discuss playful ways to make cities better places to live at a symposium hosted by the University of Canberra.
The ‘Play for a Vital and Sustainable City’ symposium will highlight how city planners, councils, creative practitioners or artists, and residents can draw on the unique things that a city has to offer and give them new life to help a community to see the world in more engaging and positive ways.
Assistant Professor of Communication and symposium coordinator Cathy Hope said play is all the things we choose to do because they’re fun, interesting and make us feel good.
“Play is a term that we tend to use for what kids do. As we get older and take on ‘adult responsibilities’ we get serious and stop associating what we do with play, but adults still need play in their lives,” Dr Hope said.
“The promise of technology was that it would give us more time to play. Instead, it means that work follows us everywhere. The flow-on effects include our mental health has been declining, heart attacks and obesity increasing and we spend less time being active.”
Key speakers include:
- Mike Horne, Founder and Director of Turf Design Studio, noted for his work on the new Sydney Park water-reuse project, the Central Barangaroo redevelopment and the Sydney Olympics.
- Adjunct Professor Penelope Coombes, Founder and Managing Director of The People for Places and Spaces, which consults with government, private and volunteer sectors on projects around Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the US and Europe.
- Associate Professor Quentin Stevens from RMIT University, whose research examines people’s perceptions and uses of urban open spaces.
- Fiona Robbé, Director of Architects of Arcadia, whose work includes public playgrounds in parks, as well as schools, preschools, zoos, churches and museums.
Dr Hope said the symposium will focus on public spaces, which are free to be used by the entire community.
“Public spaces are where you encounter the wonderful mix of people who live in your city. They’re symbols of what a city has to offer, so using them to create a more playful atmosphere; it can set the tone for the entire community,” she said.
“We need to fight to make sure that we have time to play – with our kids, our partners, our family and friends, and our community. Importantly, we also need the spaces to make opportunities for play an everyday part of our lives.”
The symposium is co-sponsored by the University’s Play Creativity and Culture Project and Centre for Creative and Cultural Research, and the Canberra Renewal Authority.
WHAT: The Play for a Vital and Sustainable City Symposium.
WHEN: Wednesday 22 – Thursday 23 November, 9:15am – 4:00pm
WHERE: Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, 180 London Circuit, Canberra
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Marcus Butler: 0438 447 810
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362