What is the Activation Challenge?
The City North Social Innovation Precinct Activation Challenge is a place-based initiative that brings together students, researchers, community organisations, industry partnersand civic institutions to work on shared challenges in the Precinct.
It provides an opportunity for participantsto work collaboratively in place, connecting ideas with action and contributing to the life of the Precinct through practical, visible activity.
Projects are developed in response to key urban challenges and are supported through interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorshipand engagement with partners.
Through this approach, the Activation Challenge moves beyond individual projects to contribute to a more connected and coordinated precinct, strengthening relationships, capability and shared learning over time.
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Looking Ahead
The projects presented in this compendium represent more than a collection of individual ideas. They demonstrate the role the City North Social Innovation Precinct can play in connecting people, partners and institutions around shared challenges, and in creating the conditions for collaboration, experimentation and applied innovation in the heart of Melbourne.
As these connections continue to grow,the next phase will build on the foundations already established. Future activity will support challenge-led innovation while enabling deeper partnerships, stronger knowledge exchange and more inclusive forms of community participation across City North and the wider district.
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the contributions of all those who have supported the 2025 City North Social Innovation Precinct Activation Challenge.
This includes RMIT students, staff and partners, as well as community organisations, local residents, industry collaborators and civic partners who have contributed their time, knowledge and lived experience.
We also recognise the role of collaborators across the Melbourne Innovation District, whose ongoing partnership helps strengthen connection, capability and shared effort across the district.
Special thanks to:
- Videographers, Video Editors and Photographers for the Activation Challenge: Nam Tram, Aya Ishii, Hunter Callaghan and
Aan Ko. - RMIT Property Services Group: Louise Tozer, Melinda Iser, Rachel Elliot-Jones, Coco Williams, Amanda Noakes, Craig Baker and Sophie Snowball.
- Other RMIT staff: RMIT Strategy Office and Capability Teams, RMIT Activator Team (Incl. Ky Snyder & Jen Mulyawan), RMIT Library Team (Incl. Charles Barnett & Mel Kidman), Prof. Johanna Macneil, Ali Al Shaher, Alen Oraha, Tim Burdeu, Mashiat Mostafa, Elyse Dawson, Ry Achen-Donnelly, RUSU Team, Mary Gilman and Ainslie Gowan, Emer Cleary, Ahn Ding, Vincent Huang, GJK Facility Services, and RMIT AV Team, OIERE, and Dr. Michael (Miek) Dunbar.
- Others: Michael Killalea (Studio ESEM), City of Melbourne (incl. Andrea Blake, Kimberley Pierzchalski and Nas Mohamud), Regen Melbourne (incl. Nina Sharpe, Nicole Barling -Luke, Yasmina Dkhisi, and Alison Whitten), Aurecon (incl. Amanda Good), and Biik Bundjil (Jaeden Williams).