The British Council is proud to partner with Naomi Milgrom Foundation to bring two celebrated architects and designers to this year's Living Cities Forum. Lesley Lokko OBE (Ghana/Scotland) and Kabage Karanja (Kenya) will join a host of industry experts for full-day events in Sydney and Melbourne this September.
Living Cities Forum is Australia's flagship event for urban designers, thinkers, and place makers. This global programme features cross-disciplinary speakers who share inspiring, actionable ideas to improve the cities of today and tomorrow. Moderated by Program Director Andrew Mackenzie and centred on the theme of 'Common Interests', this day-long series of international keynotes and conversations will spotlight progressive ideas and solutions from across the globe, all focused on the future of the public realm.
Professor Lesley Lokko OBE is a leading voice in architecture, academia, and education. A best-selling novelist and founder of the African Futures Institute, Lokko was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2024. She also served as the curator of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023.
Kabage Karanja brings his unique perspective as an architect and co-founder of Cave Bureau. His work explores architecture's role in urbanism, nature, and culture. He has been selected as co-curator of the UK Pavilion for the upcoming 2025 Venice Biennale.
At the British Council, we focus on and invest in the transformative power of artistic and cultural expression to create positive change in response to global challenges. With Melbourne and Sydney on track to become megacities by 2050, reimagining public spaces amid population growth, increased densities, and a warming planet has never been more vital. Discussions like the Living Cities Forum are crucial for addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our growing cities.
This forum presents a unique opportunity for industry professionals, students, and anyone invested in the future of our cities to hear from a global, multi-disciplinary panel. Attendees will gain insights into transformative ideas and solutions essential for shaping our urban future.
More information: Living Cities Forum