‘Marvellous Melbourne’: Making the world’s most liveable city

Abstract

Melbourne has been named the world’s most liveable city for almost a decade on a number of global rankings. Leaving aside problems of such indicators, Melbourne has transformed from an economic basket-case of industrial decline in the 1980s into a vibrant and cosmopolitan world city. Central to this transformation been a set of determined moves by the city and state governments to change the city centre from an inhospitable place into a desirable location to work, live, and play. In this chapter, more than two decades (1980–2015) of city planning and policy development are charted to explain Melbourne’s remarkable economic resurgence and cultural revitalization. This is not a straightforward tale of policy success, however. Strained relations between the state and city governments, changing technologies and industrial trends, and at times hostile reactions to the creative visions of the city’s architects have threatened policy success. Informed by extensive research and consultation, the city government nevertheless stimulated housing and retail development, and activated public space. Strategic interventions by the state government to stimulate the economy in key areas of strength, combined with the city government’s people-centric approach to liveability, have effectively made the city more amenable, creative, smart, and sustainable.