Futurecity Sydney recently attended The REMIX Academy summit on ‘Creative Cities – Incubating Creative Communities’ on the Sunshine Coast

 

SPEAKERS:

– Andrew Kalish, Director of Cultural Development, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

– Hannah Barry, Founder, Hannah Barry Gallery and Bold Tendencies

– Michelle Tabet, Director and Founder, Left Bank

– Jonathan Robinson, Founder, Impact Hubs & Founding Director, The Guardian Space

– Damian Borchak, Co-founder, For The People

– Alan Crabbe, Co-Founder, Pozible.com

– Peter Tullin, Co-Founder, CultureLabel.com & REMIX Summits

– Simon Cronshaw, Co-Founder, CultureLabel.com & REMIX Summit

 

SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS

We saw an inspiring keynote by Andrew Kalish from the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership reporting on their approach to slowing gentrification and building the foundation of culture.

One of the key insights was the process of ‘Relentless Incrementalism’, the consistent implementation of powerful, small projects to test new initiatives and build communities in economically sustainable ways.

We also heard from Nightingale, a Melbourne-based NFP that are providing a new community housing model. Their framework cuts out the developer and enables architects to execute the development process upholding standards in authentic marketing, community engagement, sustainable design and liveability. Central to the model is engaging the buyers as participants and co-creators before they move in, allowing them to form social bonds and strong ownership of Place.

While both the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and Nightingale are providing innovative solutions, it is important to note that they are a response to their contexts. Brooklyn succeeds due to its density and Nightingale as a result to Melbourne’s lack of regulations in housing standards. Not to say that we can’t learn and translate their successes into contextually relevant initiatives.

The innovation landscape in Sydney and Australia at age was discussed, noting that the conditions aren’t yet strong enough to enable it to thrive.

Sydney is ranked 16 in the world’s most innovative cities, yet it underperforms in the network connections of its ecosystem. It seems that platforms for brokering collaborations are in need for the rapid launch of ideas.

Attractive investing models in the UK were held up as best practice, whereby angel investors can receive 70% funding back if the investment fails. Sydney needs more low-risk models for investors if start-ups are going to thrive.

 

Common themes throughout the day:
  • Maximising existing elements of a place (transport, businesses, arts communities) to spearhead series of powerful, small initiatives– rather than rely on anchor developments and large funding.
  • Collisions: creating opportunities (through the strategic use of place, proximity of entities, networks, initiatives) for people to bump into each other, share ideas and launch creative collaborations.
  • The power of naming and branding destinations in enabling; visibility of place and communities, attracting audiences and developing an affinity to a place.
  • Engaging citizens as participants and agents in the process of placemaking.