Melbourne is one of the fastest growing developed cities in the world, with the population increasing by around 100,000 residents per year. Melbourne’s population is forecast to reach 8 million by 2051.
Melbourne is acknowledged as one of the most liveable cities in the world as assessed by The Economist. However, sustained population growth is placing extreme pressure on Melbourne’s famed livability.
At the same time, globalisation and technology change are accelerating. The jobs of the past are not the jobs of the future. If we are to prosper, our cities needs to cater increasingly for a services, knowledge and creative economy in which most of the jobs growth, especially high value jobs, will be in key employment and innovation precincts.
Key pressures arising from this sustained population growth and pivoting economy include:
Concentrated population growth in dedicated “growth areas” in outer Melbourne. Rapid growth in demand for transport infrastructure coupled with the centralisation of employment, services and cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities results in a loss of access to these opportunities.
Reduced accessibility translates to a significant increase in the cost of living in Melbourne as people spend more time and money travelling for these opportunities. If this cost can not be met, new residents are effectively excluded from these higher order opportunities.
Building a truly polycentric city, including linking key precincts in the middle suburbs, will facilitate decentralisation and grow high value employment and higher order goods and services, as well as improve the accessibility of government services and cultural, sporting and recreational facilities.
This needs to be underpinned by a comprehensive infrastructure build, including transport. The efficient and sustainable management of urbanisation through the application of smart technology will also be important.
All of this is critical factor in ensuring that Melbourne can meet the challenges of rapid population growth in an inclusive manner.
Team experience includes:
Victorian Government - developed a baseline analysis, strategic narrative and portfolio of catalytic investments for seven key employment and innovation precincts in Melbourne - Parkville, Arden, Monash, La Trobe, Fishermans Bend, Sunshine and Dandenong
City of Monash – strategic land use strategy for the future development of the Huntingdale precinct in the City of Monash
Victorian Government – an analysis on the potential for the development of a creative media hub in the Docklands precinct
Victorian Government – a feasibility study for the Suburban Rail Loop, a $50B+ proposal to transform Melbourne’s rail network to support a polycentric city
City of Melbourne – an economic development strategy for the City, addressing immediate COVID recovery and long-term development