As traditional economic models deplete the environment and turn communities into competitors, how can we flip the script and make sure our economy serves people and the planet, instead of the other way around? Warwick Smith, the Program Director for Wellbeing Government from the Centre for Policy Development, explains the transformative concept of wellbeing economics, and how we can start applying it in Australia.

Our streets are bursting with the possibility to radically transform how we live and adapt in the face of the many systemic challenges we face. In a new report one year in the making, Regen Streets Lead Convenor Nina Sharpe explores how we can better harness the potential on our doorsteps.

Over three weeks in September, the second-ever Riverfest took place along the banks of the Birrarung River. The event was organised by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and Regen Melbourne was privileged to play a role in the event’s success. Here, Charity Mosienyane, Lead Convenor for the Swimmable Birrarung project, reflects on an incredible celebration of Melbourne’s life force.

As she continues to explore emerging governance practices in her role as New Urban Governance Lead, Caroline Sanz-Veitch has been spending time in the field, learning from community and cultures close to her (as well as some a little further away). Here, she shares some of the insights she’s started to glean — and the importance of understanding how different people and groups relate to a place. 

How can Greater Melbourne respect the wellbeing of all people? This was the prompt for a series of workshops we held in August to explore the role Melbourne plays – and more importantly, can play – in the global social, political and economic context. Alison Whitten, Regen Melbourne’s Systems Lab Director and facilitator of the workshops, reflects on what came out of them, and what comes next.

With global attention on the Paris Olympics (and a swimmable Seine river), the newly launched Swimmable Cities Charter aims to harness this momentum for the good of our global rivers. Swimmable Birrarung Lead Convenor Charity Mosienyane explains. 

Between the cost of living, climate change, COVID, and conflict, the deep flaws and inequities in our food systems have been laid bare. In her new role as Regen Melbourne’s Food Systems Lead, Dheepa Jeyapalan reflects on the challenges and opportunities ahead of us as we collaborate to create a fairer and more regenerative food system for our city.

Last week RM held a Design Forum! The provocation to the room was: How do we catalyse a wave of regenerative streets in Greater Melbourne? Regen Streets Lead Convenor Nina Sharpe shares her takeaways below.