What makes a city feel vibrant, welcoming and safe — both day and night?
Join urban designers, artists, planners and community leaders for a walk-talk-walk through Central Geelong, exploring how design and creativity are shaping the city’s public spaces, connections and nighttime experience.
Choose to join all three parts or just the session that suits you.
Part 1 — Walk & Talk
5:30 – 6:30 pm. Meet at Market Street Breakthrough, near 184 – 186 Ryrie Street, Geelong
Start at the Market Street Breakthrough and hear from designers, artists and project leaders about city-shaping projects including Market Street, the Women in Street Art program and the Nighttime Vibrancy program, finishing at Denny’s Place Breakthrough.
Part 2 — Panel Discussion
7.00pm – 8.00pm (6:45pm doors open), Podium, Wurriki Nyal, 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong
Hear from a panel of leading experts in urban design, creative wayfinding, landscape architecture, academia, and city-making as they discuss what makes a city thrive both day and night. They will discuss how best-practice design can shape the nighttime vibrancy, perceptions of safety, connections and experiences and new opportunities for Central Geelong.
Margie McKay
Manager Urban Design and Place, City of Greater Geelong
Drawing on extensive experience in urban design and local government to discuss how cities can create welcoming and vibrant places for everyone.
Jesse Mentha, PhD candidate
Melbourne Centre of Cities, Melbourne School of Design,University of Melbourne
Researcher behind the NightShift project, exploring how people experience cities, safety, and vibrancy after dark.
Matthew MacKay
Studio Director, ASPECT Studios Melbourne
Landscape Architect and Urban Designer of Denny’s Place and Market Street Breakthroughs in central Geelong, bringing experience in shaping people-focused public spaces, green infrastructure, and living architecture.
Geoff Trensky
Perimeter Design
Placemaking and wayfinding designer focused on creating engaging and legible public spaces that encourage exploration, connection, and activity.
Key themes include: Central Geelong activation · gender-sensitive placemaking · public art · urban design · public realm · nighttime vibrancy
