Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change and Cities Symposium

Presented by the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning and the Connected Cities Lab; with partners the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia and the Banksia Foundation.

Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change and Cities Symposium

30 September – 2 October 2020

Across three days in September and October, the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning invited colleagues, partners and the public to the inaugural virtual ABP Symposium, which in 2020 focused on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Featuring interactive workshop sessions, breakout rooms, keynotes and opportunities for delegates to connect across time zones, the summit showcased the role cities and their urban partners are playing in implementing the SDGs.

The virtual symposium format provided a platform for delegates to listen and interact with some of the world’s leading voices in urban sustainability and action on climate change, including case studies of responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were also two streams dedicated to learning from and engaging with cities participating in the SDGs Cities Challenge.

Delegates were invited to join the collaborative process of co-design between business, academic and government solution providers, offering each participating city the opportunity to produce an implementation plan aligned to the SDGs.

Recorded keynotes, sessions and panels were made immediately available to all delegates at the conclusion of the Symposium and will be made available to the general public in the weeks following the event.

Download digital program booklet

Download SDGs Climate Change and Cities final report

COVID-19

The University of Melbourne continues to work closely with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Australian Government and health experts. Our number one priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of our University community and we are doing everything we can to reduce the rates of infection in the community. The University has transitioned to a virtual campus model with most teaching, learning, research and support services being delivered remotely. All classes are being delivered remotely and we are asking students not to attend their physical campus. Staff are working from home wherever possible. Our virtual campus maximises the opportunities for students to study effectively and successfully, while maintaining the quality and standards of our degrees and sense of community.

Further information on the University’s response to COVID 19 can be found here.

About SDGs Cities Challenge

The Connected Cities Lab is working with the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia and Banksia Foundation to identify the best approach for cities to deliver on the SDGs through a new participatory action research project.

The participant cities in the SDGs Cities Challenge will be developing their own response to the SDGs, while developing solutions and implementation plans for a key urban SDGs target. Solutions are being developed via a collaborative process, using knowledge and practical expertise in local government, academia and business, offering each city the opportunity to produce an implementation plan, and ultimately a voluntary local review (VLR) aligned to the SDGs.

Their work will be presented at the SDGs Cities Challenge Symposium, and delegates will have the opportunity to participate in the discussions and deliberations as these cities prepare their responses to the SDGs.

The SDGs Cities Challenge is linking cities with urban experts in academia, business and community in a structured process of co-design. This will create innovative approaches for cities to accelerate action towards the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, using an initiative or project to which they are already committed.

Expressions of interest for cities are now closed, however if you would like to offer your expertise on the SDGs to the SDGs Cities Challenge Participants, please contact msd-events@unimelb.edu.au.

Partners

Thanks to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), who are supporting the development of Voluntary Local Reviews as part of the SDGs Cities Challenge. The Symposium is an official Urban Thinkers Campus '5.0' event, part of the UN-Habitat led World Urban Campaign.

A special mention to Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, Murrup Barak and the New Student Precinct who we worked with to assemble a Student Ambassador group to work with us on program development, facilitation and writing.

Keynote release dates

Keynote presentations will be released prior to the Symposium date so that delegates can have maximum opportunity to view these presentations before the live panel discussions at the live online event.

At the conclusion of the Symposium we will be providing recordings of keynote presentations. A link to recordings will be provided soon.

Monday 31 August	Hans P Bokelund, Director Aboriginal Melbourne - City of Melbourne Topic: Indigenous Perspective on SDGs, Cities and Climate Change
Monday 7 September	Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner - NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Topic: SDGs and Cities
Monday 14 September	Theresa Williamson, Executive Director - Catalytic Communities, Brazil Topic: SDGs, Urban Planning for Equity and Climate Resilience in our Cities
Monday 21 September	Peter Rayner, Acting Director - Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne Topic: SDGs, Building Cities for Health and Wellbeing of People and Nature
Monday 28 September	Claire Ferres Miles, CEO - Sustainability Victoria Topic: SDGs, Cities Acting on Climate Change, Encouraging a Circular Economy

Download digital program booklet

Wednesday 30 September

9:15 – 9:45 am	Watch pre-recorded keynote Delegates are encouraged to view pre-recorded keynote presentation (if you haven’t already done so): Hans P Bokelund, Director Aboriginal Melbourne - City of Melbourne Topic: Indigenous Perspectives on SDGs, Cities and Climate Change
10:00 – 10:15 am	Day 1 Opening Welcome to Country – Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elder Welcome: Marley Holloway-Clarke – Symposium Master of Ceremonies
10:15 – 11:30 am	Responding Panel to Keynote Indigenous Perspectives on SDGs, Cities and Climate Change - Hans P Bokelund, Director Aboriginal Melbourne - City of Melbourne Moderator: Marley Holloway-Clarke, Project Officer - Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development Panellists: Jefa Greenaway, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning and Principal Architect - Greenaway Architects Stacie Piper, Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai-Illam Wurrung, First Nations Curator - Yalingwa, Djirri Djirri Dancer, Chairperson Victorian NAIDOC Committee Hans P Bokelund, Director Aboriginal Melbourne - City of Melbourne
11:30 am - 12:00 pm	Djirri Djirri Dance Group Djirri Djirri Dance Group, with members of the Wurundjeri community, formed officially in 2013, after being part of other mixed dance groups. Our young women create the dances to the songs sung in Woiwurrung and relate to our Creation Spirits, Country, our Ancestors, animals and family. Our profile picture is of our 3 yinga guyup-guyup (song bird) who sing along to every song. Djirri Djirri means Willy wagtail in Woiwurrung, a language that has been sleeping for generations. Djirri Djirri is helping us wake it up!
12:00 - 1:30 pm	SDG Plenary Workshop Leave no one behind: Learn - Enable - Act – Influence, facilitated by Arup Arup will facilitate a collaborative session in which participants will consider their own systematic and holistic approach to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and input into the collective awareness and actions. These sessions will be participatory, fun and productive. Bring your biggest question and your best ideas! Leaving no one behind is the mantra of the SDG framework and illustrates the clear intention that the fruits of achieving the SDGs should be shared equitably. Meeting the goals means meeting them for everyone, not just on average. At Arup we recognise that the time to act is now. Our commitment to the UN SDGs is guided by our implementation plan that is grouped under four key areas: Learn: Build capability and deep expertise through research, learning, knowledge management and communications. Enable: Integrate sustainable development in operations and practices. Act: Deliver projects, products, services and solutions that create shared value and drive innovation. Influence: Use knowledge and networks to lead the way. This workshop will follow these themes, as we immerse the audience in the SDGs in readiness for the Symposium discussion sessions 1-2 October.
1:30 - 1:45 pm	Close of Day 1 Marley Holloway-Clarke - Master of Ceremonies There are no other live discussions today. Delegates are encouraged to view pre-recorded keynote presentations for Thursday’s panel discussions (if you haven’t already done so): Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner - NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Topic: SDGs and Cities Theresa Williamson, Executive Director - Catalytic Communities, Brazil Topic: SDGs, Urban Planning for Equity and Climate Resilience in our Cities

Thursday 1 October

9:30 am

Day 2 Opening

Acknowledgement of Country

Official’s opening of Symposium:

Marley Holloway-Clarke – Symposium Master of Ceremonies

Julie Willis, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Duncan Maskell, Vice Chancellor - University of Melbourne

10:00 am (AEST)

7:00 pm (GMT-4) - Washington, D.C.

8:00 am (GMT+8) - Taipei, Taiwan

7:00 pm (GMT-4) -
New York City

Responding panel to Keynote

SDGs and Cities - Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner - NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs

Moderator:

Michele Acuto, Director - Connected Cities Lab

Panellists:

Director General Chingyu Yao, City of New Taipei

Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development, Brookings Institution

Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner - NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs

Roger Swinbourne, Associate Principal - Arup

11:00 am

BREAK

11:15 am

Breakout Sessions

The symposium has two breakout session streams, reflecting the themes and objectives of the event.

City Partnerships will feature SDGs Cities Challenge city participants discussing their sustainable development challenges and their ongoing discussions with solutions providers in academia, business and government; and Localising the SDGs will be a series of micro masterclasses on key topics for engagement in the SDGs. Each breakout session will be delivered as standalone events so there is no need to stick with one stream throughout.

City Partnerships – Session 1A: SDGs Cities Challenge cities, their challenges and partnerships for solutions

Host:

Sarah Forde, Director Projects and Programs – Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA)

Co-Host:

Thomas Jacobs, Project Coordinator - Connected Cities Lab

Contributor:

Anna Rubbo, Senior Scholar -Center for Sustainable Urban Development, The Earth Institute

Cities:

City of Newcastle
City of Whitehorse

Localising the SDGs – Session 2A: SDG Reporting: Connecting the national to the local

The session will showcase examples of how SDG reporting can be done national and at local government levels, explore the differences and similarities of reporting at these different scales, and discuss the challenges and opportunities for connecting them through one reporting framework.

Host:

Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) and SDSN

Contributors:

Prof John Thwaites (MSDI) – Transforming Australia (Update 2020)

Alison Leighton, General Manager Strategy, Planning & Climate Change – City of Melbourne

Renz Cerillo, Sustainability Management – ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability South East Asia Secretariat

Discussion:

How do we connect these different approaches through a national reporting framework?

Audience Q&A

12:15 pm

BREAK

1:00 pm (AEST)

12:00 am (GMT-3) - Rio de Janeiro

6:00 am (GMT+3) - Nairobi, Kenya

Responding panel to Keynote

SDGs, Urban Planning for Equity and Climate Resilience in our Cities - Theresa Williamson, Executive Director - Catalytic Communities, Brazil

Moderator:

Stephanie Butcher, Research Fellow - Connected Cities Lab, University of Melbourne

Panellists:

Anna Hurlimann, Associate Professor and Assistant Dean Diversity and Inclusion of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Theresa Williamson, Executive Director - Catalytic Communities, Brazil

Shipra Narang, Chief, Urban Practices Branch (OIC) and Global Solutions Division, UN-Habitat

1:45 pm

BREAK

2:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

The symposium has two breakout session streams, reflecting the themes and objectives of the event.

City Partnerships – Session 1B: SDGs Cities Challenge cities, their challenges and partnerships for solutions

Host:

Sarah Forde, Director Projects and Programs – Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA)

Co-Host:

Thomas Jacobs, Project Coordinator - Connected Cities Lab

Cities:

City of Dehradun
University of Melbourne: Estate Planning and Development

Localising the SDGs – Session 2B: #Recover Better: Partnering for local SDGs impact – Local Government and the SDGs

The global pandemic has laid bare how well cities and communities can protect and support their citizens in the face of a health, economic and social crisis. Designed to build resilience and sustainability, the UN argues that the SDGs are the roadmap to post COVID-19 recovery.

Join in an interactive discussion around the role community groups and local government can play to ensure we #RecoverBetter and the ways the SDGs can guide the way.

Hosts:

Sophie Arnold, Executive Manager - United Nations Association Victoria and Nicole Battle, President - Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association

Contributor:

Mitra Anderson-Oliver, Manager - Industry Support and Recovery - Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

3:00 - 3:15 pm

Close of day 2

Marley Holloway-Clarke – Symposium Master of Ceremonies

3:15pm – 4:15pm

Networking opportunities

A range of networking opportunities will be provided on the InEvent platform for delegates to join

Delegates are encouraged to view pre-recorded keynote presentations for Friday’s panel discussions (if you haven’t already done so):

Peter Rayner, Acting Director – Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne

Topic: SDGs, Building Cities for Health and Wellbeing of People and Nature

Claire Ferres Miles, CEO - Sustainability Victoria

Topic: SDGs, Cities Acting on Climate Change, Encouraging a Circular Economy

Friday 2 October

9:45 am

Day 3 Opening

Acknowledgement of Country

Welcome:

Marley Holloway-Clarke – Symposium Master of Ceremonies

10:00 am

12:00 pm (GMT+12) - Fiji Islands

Responding panel to Keynote

SDGs, Building Cities for Health and Wellbeing of People and Nature - Peter Rayner, Acting Director – Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne.

Moderator:

Crystal Legacy, Senior Lecturer - Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne

Panellists:

Anne-Marie Pisani, Senior Associate - Aspect Studios

Karibaiti Taoaba, Regional Director - Commonwealth Local Government Form Pacific

Peter Rayner, Acting Director – Climate and Energy College, University of Melbourne, Melbourne Australia

11:00 am

BREAK

11:15 am

Breakout Sessions

The symposium has two breakout session streams, reflecting the themes and objectives of the event.

City Partnerships – Session 1C: SDGs Cities Challenge cities, their challenges and partnerships for solutions

Host:

Sarah Forde, Director Projects and Programs – Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA)

Co-Host:

Alexei Trundle, Research Fellow in Sustainable Urban Development – Connected Cities Lab

Cities:

City of Woollahra
Warrnambool

Localising the SDGs – Session 2C: Embedding SDGs in organisational planning and the built environment

Hosts:

Gerard Healey and Clare Walker - University of Melbourne, Chief Operating Officer portfolio

Contributors:

Mitra Anderson-Oliver, Manager - Industry Support and Recovery - Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions

Gavin Ashley, Better Cities & Regions Lead – HIP V. HYPE

Cities:

City of Newcastle
City of Whitehorse

12:15 pm

Djirri Djirri Dance Group

Djirri Djirri Dance Group, with members of the Wurundjeri community, formed officially in 2013, after being part of other mixed dance groups. Our young women create the dances to the songs sung in Woiwurrung and relate to our Creation Spirits, Country, our Ancestors, animals and family. Our profile picture is of our 3 yinga guyup-guyup (song bird) who sing along to every song. Djirri Djirri means Willy wagtail in Woiwurrung, a language that has been sleeping for generations. Djirri Djirri is helping us wake it up!

1:00 pm

Responding panel to Keynote

SDGs, Cities Acting on Climate Change, Encouraging a Circular Economy - Claire Ferres Miles, CEO - Sustainability Victoria

Moderator:

Brendan Gleeson, Director - Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, University of Melbourne

Panellists:

Claire Ferres Miles, CEO - Sustainability Victoria

Patrick Cobbinah, Lecturer in Urban Planning - Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne

Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia

1:45 pm

BREAK

2:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

The symposium has two breakout session streams, reflecting the themes and objectives of the event.

City Partnerships – Session 1D: SDGs Cities Challenge cities, their challenges and partnerships for solutions.

Host:

Sarah Forde, Director Projects and Programs – Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA)

Co-Host:

Alexei Trundle, Research Fellow in Sustainable Urban Development – Connected Cities Lab

Cities:

Alor Gajah
City of Melbourne

Localising the SDGs – Session 2D: Communication and Engagement with the SDGs: How can we communicate with and mobilise our youth amidst global stress and uncertainty?

Hosts:

Jeremy McLeod, Breathe Architecture Founder

Contributors:

Amelia Leavesley, Engagement Advisor and Masters Student

Sabareesh Suresh (City of Dehradun), Consultant - Urban Governance and Service Delivery | Local Pathways Fellow UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

Leah Hyland, Communications and Engagement (Co-creation) Manager Development – Estate Planning and Development - University of Melbourne

Dante Di Paolo, New Student Precinct Intern - University of Melbourne

3:00 – 3:15 pm

Closing Session

Marley Holloway-Clarke - Symposium Master of Ceremonies

Julie Willis, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Symposium curators:

Cathy Oke, Anna Hurlimann, Judy Bush

3:15 – 4:15 pm

Networking opportunities

A range of networking opportunities will be provided on the InEvent platform for delegates to join

Master of Ceremonies

Marley Holloway-Clarke
Project Officer - Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development

Keynote Speakers

Panellists

Session Hosts

Session contributors

Curators

The participant cities in the SDGs Cities Challenge have worked to develop their own response to localising the SDGs, while developing solutions and implementation plans for a key urban SDGs target. Solutions have been developed via a collaborative process, using knowledge and practical expertise from academia, business, civil society and local government. This process has offered each city the opportunity to take meaningful steps towards the creation of an implementation plan for their challenge, and/or a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) aligned to the SDGs.

This work was presented at the SDGs Cities Challenge Symposium, and delegates had the opportunity to participate in discussions and deliberations as these cities prepared their responses to the SDGs.

The SDGs Cities Challenge linking cities with urban experts in academia, business, civil society and local government is a structured process of co-design. This process has created innovative approaches for cities to accelerate action towards the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on SDG 11: To make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, using an initiative or project to which they are already committed.

Learn more about the cities in this trailer video or at the links below.

ABP Symposium – Introducing the SDGs City Challenge Participants

Cities

Recordings from the Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change and Cities Symposium can be watched on YouTube using the links below

Download SDGs Climate Change and Cities final report

Keynote speeches

Responding panels

Breakout sessions

The symposium had two breakout session streams, reflecting the themes and objectives of the event. City Partnerships features SDGs Cities Challenge city participants discussing their sustainable development challenges and their ongoing discussions with solutions providers in academia, business and government; and Localising the SDGs was a series of micro masterclasses on key topics for engagement in the SDGs.