How can we create truly inclusive cities that celebrate and support LGBTQIA+ communities?

Last Thursday in Naarm/Melbourne, we wrapped up our Queering Urbanism series with the final panel: “Cities & Public Spaces” hosted at the stunning ClarkeHopkinsClarke offices in Melbourne’s CBD.

Through shared research, data, and local projects, we explored how cities can be designed to include and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities. We were reminded that design choices, from seating to sightlines, shape who feels welcome in public space.

Thank you to our Cities & Public Spaces moderator and panellists:

🎤 Moderated by Luke Mascarenhas (he/him), Design Manager at Development Victoria.

🌱 Sophie Weiner (she/her), Senior Sustainability Engineer at Arup spoke to Arup’s global research on queering public space.

🌀 Marti Fooks (she/they), Director,  Fooks Landscape Architecture + Urban Design, called on us to embrace complexity in community engagement.

🏛️ Adrian Coleiro (he/him), Senior Architect at ClarkeHopkinsClarke shared the story behind the Victoria Pride Centre.

Special shout out to ClarkeHopkinsClarke for hosting us and generously empowering this event – their welcoming space embodied the inclusive environments we were exploring.

We are incredibly grateful to the hundreds of queer and ally attendees who joined us throughout the series and are actively carrying these important conversations into their daily lives.

More events are on the way – keep an eye on your socials and inbox.