Docklands, Melbourne

(Taken from www.docklands.com.au, 16/4/12)

A current urban renewal project is being undertaken in Docklands, Melbourne. It is trying to gentrify the area after years of desertion which led to much of the area being derelict. The area started out as a thriving dock area of Port Melbourne in the 1880’s. As time progressed, so did the abandonment of industry within the area. By the 1980’s this area was near abandonment, and crime was rampant. This caused the urban renewal project of the area, with the Victorian Government   Docklands taskforce set up to identify the best options for the area in 1990. By 1991 – Docklands Authority act of 1991 passed through Victorian parliament. The idea was to work with the private sector in developing the area. The first major milestone of redoing this area was the building of Colonial stadium, now called Etihad stadium. By 2000 major plans were underway into the regeneration of this area. The plan I am focusing on is the Docklands, The second decade. Draft shared vision which was released in 2010.

What I really like about the Docklands redevelopment is the community focus. The diagram below shows the process. I think by working with the community they are able to help create a vision in which will allow for this area to progress. I liked the idea of mixing high density housing with office space. The most important thing they did with this was having smaller densities closer to the water’s edge. I think this helps to create a more vibrant and interesting space, opposed to a concrete jungle. The thing I really liked with the housing was the development of many cafes and restaurants under this dense housing near the water’s edge. By doing this they embraced the Melbournian culture of drinking coffee and eating out, which according to a local is very traditional of here.

What do you like about the plan? Do you agree that part of the culture here what I describe?

X

(Docklands- the second decade, 2010)