Docklands, Melbourne, Victoria
In one point in time, Docklands was the largest and busiest port in Melbourne, yet by the late 1980s Docklands transformed into an industrial wasteland.[i] However, the Victorian Government saw fit to revitalize Docklands due to Melbourne’s rapidly growing population that favors inner-city living. The Victorian Government has “extended the western edge of Melbourne’s central business district and [has] reconnected the city to its historical waterfront.”[ii] Docklands is one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects, is home to nearly 10,000 residents and employs over 50,000 people, and is the national headquarters for some of the largest businesses in Australia including, but not limited to, Myer, Medibank Private and the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, commonly referred to as ANZ.[iii]
Key facts
Project area: 190 hectares (includes 44 hectares of water)
Development timeframe: 25 years (1997-completion approx. 2025)
Private investment: $17.5 billion (upon completion)
Population: 20,000 residents and 60,000 workers (upon completion)
Docklands attracts millions of visitors each year and offers a mix of uses including:
Development timeframe: 25 years (1997-completion approx. 2025)
Private investment: $17.5 billion (upon completion)
Population: 20,000 residents and 60,000 workers (upon completion)
Docklands attracts millions of visitors each year and offers a mix of uses including:
- residential
- commercial
- retail
- dining
- leisure
Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria
Southbank was once a largely industrial area that had been neglected, but is now considered the heartbeat of the central city area.[i] It is most attractive for young professionals in the 20s and 30s due to the popular nightlife, cultural and entertainment facilities along the Yarra River bank. [ii] Southbank is an ideal place for growth because it not only has “2 kilometers of absolute Yarra River frontage which is lined by wide pedestrian promenades offering scenic views of the river and city skyline”, but Southbank is also opposite of Melbourne’s CBD and provides direct access to the CBD through the Princes Bridge. [iii] Spatial interaction in Melbourne can be furthered examined by using Pred’s model to make observations on how both Docklands and Southbank encourage spatial interaction in the city.
Southbank Structure Plan 2010
The City of Melbourne has identified Southbank as an urban renewal area that will accommodate significantly more residents and employment growth over the new 30 years.
The Southbank Structure Plan 2010 provides a vision and strategy for the future development of Southbank as an integral part of the central city, with the Yarra River at its centre.
The plan outlines:
The Southbank Structure Plan 2010 provides a vision and strategy for the future development of Southbank as an integral part of the central city, with the Yarra River at its centre.
The plan outlines:
- a range of improvements for commercial, retail and community infrastructure
- the creation of a better street environment for walking and cycling
- new and improved public open spaces.
Reference
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/southbank-plan-2007.pdf Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, October 2006
http://www.places.vic.gov.au/precincts-and-development/docklands/about/docklands-history
Urban renewal: the transformation of Australia's docklands. Published by Big Black Dog Communications Pty Ltd, et al. 16th December 2009. http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/urban-renewal
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/southbank-plan-2007.pdf Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, October 2006
http://www.places.vic.gov.au/precincts-and-development/docklands/about/docklands-history
Urban renewal: the transformation of Australia's docklands. Published by Big Black Dog Communications Pty Ltd, et al. 16th December 2009. http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/urban-renewal