City maker and thought leader Finn Williams inspires students and practitioners

The Melbourne School of Design (MSD) recently welcomed renowned Malmö City Architect and public sector innovator Finn Williams for a series of engaging discussions with students, researchers and practitioners, offering valuable insights into the future of public architecture, urban design and city-making.

Visiting Melbourne as part of the Living Cities Forum, Williams joined Professor Dan Hill, Natalie Miles and students in the multidisciplinary elective subject The Shaping of Urban Design. Held in the Design Gallery at MSD, the session provided students with a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the leading global voices shaping contemporary urban policy and practice.

Drawing on his extensive experience working across planning, development and government, Finn shared reflections on the challenges and opportunities facing cities today, encouraging students to think critically about the systems, processes and people that influence the built environment. The session was met with enthusiasm from students, who engaged deeply with Williams’ ideas and perspectives, and his ability to connect theory, practice and public purpose

Finn Williams with students in the Design Gallery at MSD

Following the student session, Williams participated in a Japanese Room Session at MSD, bringing together a curated group of local practitioners and decision-makers from across government, industry and academia. Participants included representatives from Merri-bek City Council, Moonee Valley City Council, the City of Melbourne, the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, the Victorian Government’s Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, Nightingale Housing, Fieldwork Architects, Arup, Simulaa and MSD researchers and educators.

Finn Williams in MSD’s Japanese Room

Building on themes explored with students earlier in the day, Finn and Dan hosted a discussion focused on how practitioners can work innovatively within and across institutions and communities to improve and repair existing systems. In particular, the challenge of transforming the built environment sector was to the fore, given its typically extractive and non-inclusive characteristics.

Drawing from Finn’s examples, the participants addressed the possibility in locally-sourced bio-based materials for construction—MSD’s recent research, Circle, had drawn much from Malmö's innovative work in this area— as well as an increased emphasis on retrofit over new-build, new models for shared public value beyond short-term financial return, and increased emphasis on diverse and participative approaches to urban development, not least within public institutions themselves. Finn’s work with Malmö, and previously with Public Practice, and the Greater London Authority, provided impetus for a lively discussion on shared ideas, challenges and practices for urban transformation, drawing together Melbourne and Malmö in new ways.

MSD extends its thanks to Finn Williams for his generosity, insight and ongoing contribution to conversations about public leadership, urban design, and city-making. Appreciation also goes to the Living Cities Forum and Naomi Milgrom Foundation for supporting the visit.

Finn Williams with practitioners in MSD’s Japanese Room

Through opportunities such as these, MSD continues to connect students and practitioners with leading thinkers, fostering meaningful dialogue about the future of our cities and the role that design can play in shaping them.