The Arden Activator studio imagined the Arden Precinct as an innovation district, testing new sustainable technologies to deliver a vision of a resilient, urban future. Distributed systems of provision for energy, water, food, waste and transport are proposed at a range of scales. These systems are presented as maps and visualisations that are then arranged in ‘activators’ or display suites to introduce the public to the different kinds of experiences and affordances they would provide. The site for this proposed living laboratory of new systems is the new North Melbourne Metro Rail station at Arden.