Sandbox: How Cities Collaborate for Transformation – Sheffield x Melbourne

What kind of city do we want to be in 2035?

In partnership with Sheffield City Goals

Sheffield has co-created six stories that imagine the futures we want to live in – visions of a city that reflects our shared values, our hopes, and our collective ambition. These stories form the foundation of Sheffield City Goals – a living strategy built by and for the people of Sheffield.

From these stories, a set of civic infrastructures are now being designed – practical, place-based systems that help us work together across neighbourhoods, organisations and communities to turn our shared goals into action.

But Sheffield isn’t alone in this journey. Across the world, others are exploring how to build regenerative city systems. In Melbourne Australia, Regen Melbourne has been leading a similar process: co-creating a new city vision in 2021 and developing an “engine for collaboration” that now connects over 200 organisations working for a thriving future for people and planet.

Join this in-conversation with Alison Whitten, Director of Systems Lab (formerly Research Lead at Regen Melbourne) and Helen Sims, CEO of Voluntary Action Sheffield, and explore how cities can learn from one another in re-imagining civic life for the 21st century.

Alison is a leading voice in urban regeneration and action research, helping to shape tools like the Melbourne City Portrait and Melbourne Doughnut. These are frameworks that blend data, storytelling, and imagination to drive systemic change. Her background spans urban planning, systems engineering, international development, and management consulting – bringing a rare blend of rigour and creativity to city-making.

This event is part of Sandbox – a new Sheffield event series from Opus Independents, Festival of Debate, and Now Then. Sandbox is a space for connection, imagination, and action, where citizens can explore new ideas shaping our collective future, and discuss how they might take root here in Sheffield.

The evening will open with an in-conversation before we move into interactive breakout sessions, where you’ll have the chance to contribute, collaborate, and help shape what’s next.

Doors open 6:30pm. Refreshments and a complementary glass of wine will be provided.