Page 8 - U4SSC Case study: Participatory urban planning, June 2020

Background

Village Well worked closely with the Government of the State of Victoria, including Liveability Victoria
International and Trade Victoria, to develop an engagement plan that tapped into Victoria’s design and built
environment sector’s expertise, to gain a deeper understanding of the elements that have contributed to
the ‘Victorian Liveability Story’. As Melbourne is the main city of the state of Victoria, this story and the
lessons learned facilitated the creation of the ‘Melbourne Liveability Story’.

Challenge and Response

Melbourne was ranked the ‘World’s Most Liveable City’ by the Global Economist Intelligence Unit for
seven consecutive years, until 2018. This is the result of work of the city government and its different
departments, which were working together for many years.

Victoria embraces diversity and creativity and boasts numerous acclaimed houses of design. The
Victorian College of the Arts, the Melbourne Theatre Company, the Victorian Opera and the Australian
Centre for Contemporary Art are a few of the incubators of emerging artists, planners and designers.

The Project and the Challenges

Village Well has refined and developed processes of analysis, engagement, innovation and project
management, researching historical and contemporary narratives, in order to present recommendations
to enhance the city’s position and sense of character.

The following challenges can be listed:

• Infrastructure: Investing in civic infrastructure and transport networks in suburban areas to improve
services on the city fringes and increase social and physical connection (for the youth, single parents
and the elderly).
• Housing: Improving quality-housing stock, in particular apartment design and construction.

• Affordability: Improving the affordability of property prices especially for families, the elderly,
singles and young people.

The Response

The success of place-making is dependent upon close working relationships among various civic stakeholders
such as governments, private investment entities, companies, not-for-profit organizations, artists and
citizens. Melbourne has shared its public spaces and re-used its civic stakeholders’ skills through place-
making. With the introduction of the place-making concept to Melbourne, the following benefits can be
observed:

• Business Opportunities: Developing a shared understanding of the sectors that have capacity to
grow can enhance different business opportunities. The place-making can help to create new jobs
and entrepreneurial opportunities, through supporting local economies and attracting tourism.

2 Case study: Participatory urban planning, June 2020