The climate crisis is creating unprecedented social and environmental pressures, often accompanied by fear, uncertainty and a sense of paralysis. Amid this challenge, imagining regenerative futures becomes vital – not only as a way to envision sustainable cities but as a practice for cultivating hope, agency and collective action. Engaging with alternative scenarios encourages communities to confront uncertainty creatively and consider pathways toward equitable, resilient and ecologically thriving futures. 

This report brings together key insights from a two-day, in-person urban live-action role-play (LARP) event held in Carlton, Melbourne, designed to explore how neighbourhoods and communities might collectively imagine regenerative futures. 80 players attended the event - they were a diverse cohort of students, creatives, professionals, and families. A sample of 55 players were interviewed, whose reflections are highlighted and analysed in this report. 

The event was structured around two key components: first, the transformation of Cardigan Street, Carlton, into a civic square and urban commons for experiential learning; and second, the use of urban LARP to engage players in imagining Naarm Melbourne in 2050. 

Players explored challenges such as sustainability, equity, climate adaptation and community resilience through collaborative problem-solving and role-play. They were also immersed in Boonwurrung language learning workshops and walking tours through an ecological streetscape filled with native species. 

Findings reveal that immersive play serves as a powerful modality for collective future-building. Participants reported a heightened sense of agency, social connections and increased awareness of complex urban and environmental systems. The playful, participatory format temporarily dissolved social silos, enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds to collaborate creatively and envision shared futures. The event also fostered culturally grounded engagement and a deeper connection to place.