Gehl Melbourne 2004

PLACES
FOR PEOPLE
City of Melbourne in collaboration with

GEHL ARCHITECTS, Urban Quality Consultants Copenhagen
MELBOURNE 2004
Client
City of Melbourne
Design and Culture
PO BOX 1603
Melbourne 3001 Victoria
Australia
City of Melbourne project team

Project director:
Prof Rob Adams
Project coordinator:
Ros Rymer (Research, analysis and mapping)
Project team:
Jenny Rayment (Text and layout)

Robert Moore (Advisor)

Alastair Campbell (Research and photographs)
Consultant
Project manager:
Project coordinator:
Project team:

Jan Gehl, Professor, Dr. litt.

Henriette Mortensen, arch. MAA
Paule Ducourtial, arch. MAA
Isabel Sandra Duckett, arch. MAA
Lisa Hilden Nielsen, stud. arch.
Joan Maria Raun Nielsen, stud. arch.
foreword
Over the last decade Melbourne has experienced an urban renaissance through a gradual
but consistent transformation of streets, lanes and other spaces into public places that are
culturally engaging and diverse, and that respond to the citys intrinsic physical character.
Much of this change is attributable to the Citys strong strategic direction in planning and
design since the mid 1980s. From this period, a vigorous pace of reform commenced through
collaboration and joint initiatives between the State Government and the City of Melbourne.
This has seen the consistent application of a range of urban design strategies and individual
initiatives of varying scales. It has focused on achievable actions, and aimed at reinforcing
the existing qualities of the city. In economic terms, the result has been a reversal of the long
downward trend in CBD commercial activity and employment of previous decades. This has
been supported by rediscovery of the city as a centre of culture and entertainment, a haven
for small creative businesses, and a great place to live and learn.
Eleven years ago, the publication Places for People: Melbourne City 1994 offered a vivid,
factual picture of the quantity and types of activity occurring in the citys public places. It set
ten year targets for attracting more people to the city and established benchmarks against
which Melbourne could measure its progress. It has been instrumental in inspiring, directing
and accelerating the process of revitalising the citys laneways, streets and spaces.
In 2005, this new document is the next instalment in Councils systematic and long-term
urban plan. By applying the same methods used to analyse the uses of Melbournes public
spaces in 1994, it helps to understand how things have changed and which of these changes
has been most beneficial in supporting the public life of the city.
The findings demonstrate Melbournes remarkable success in attracting more public life
through physical improvements to existing public places, providing additional public space,
and initiatives such as PostCode 3000. The nature of public life has quite radically changed
with more people choosing to stay for optional rather than purely necessary activities until
late evening. The results clearly illustrate that places designed to be people-friendly attract
people, and public life will follow.
Evolving urban issues require that we continue to pursue new avenues of excellence in urban
design, particularly in response to changing patterns of use and Melbournes expanding
population. Collectively, the survey results, analysis and a range of recommendations will provide
further direction over the decade to achieve our vision for a thriving and sustainable city.
Lord Mayor
John So
This study examines the Central City area of Melbourne

bounded by Spencer Street, LaTrobe and William Streets,
Victoria Street, Spring Street and the Yarra north bank to the
north, and the area of Southbank bounded by Clarendon
Street, Whiteman and Power Streets, Grant Street and St
Kilda Road. Parklands, open space and riverfront areas
beyond this zone, including Docklands, have been excluded
in order to focus on Melbournes existing urban street
life, and to make comparative assessments against the
data presented in the 1994 Places for People study. The
Southbank area has been extended to include the Arts
Precinct and Southbank Promenade west in line with these
areas inclusion within the central business district as part of
the Capital City Zone.
places for people 2004
contents
introduction
part 1 public spaces & public life
part 2 recommendations
part 3 public life data
Foreword
Executive Summary - Public Spaces and Public Life Studies 1994 & 2004
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13
1.14
Major achievements
A larger residential community
An increasing student population
Improved streets for public life
New squares, promenades and parks
A revitalised network of lanes and arcades
More places to sit and pause
City-wide art programs
Attractions and places to go
A 24-hour city
Better cycle and public transport access
An integrated policy for street treatment and furniture
A greener city
A remarkable increase in public life
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
Major challenges
Expand the pedestrian network
Reinforce and improve the cycle network
Develop better links to public transport
Upgrade streets abutting major transport and retail corridors
Link Southbank with the city
Link Docklands with the city
Control building heights and form
Moderate commercial advertising in the city
Extend city improvements to adjacent neighbourhoods
Build a sustainable city
3.1
3.2
3.3
Public life studies - methodology

Pedestrian traffic
Stationary activities
E xecutive
summary
Public Spaces and Public Life studies 1994 & 2004

1985: City of Melbourne Strategy Plan
The 1985 Strategy Plan formed the foundation for the subsequent
two decades of the citys urban renewal. Culminating in publications
such as Grids and Greenery (1987), which represented the first
documented strategic direction for urban design, the 1985 plan
presented a development framework and implementation priorities
for land use, movement, built form, community services, city
structure and the physical environment.
1978 An empty, useless city centre
1994: Places for People

In 1993 Professor Jan Gehl was invited to Melbourne by the City of
Melbourne to conduct a survey of Public Spaces and Public Life
in Melbourne. The study examined the issues and opportunities
regarding public space and collected data on public life. The data
was presented in Places for People: Melbourne City 1994, which
incorporated both analysis and a set of overall recommendations.
The publication served as a foundation for further development and
improvement of Melbournes public spaces, as new projects could
be measured against the 1994 benchmark.
Effective city planning has been almost unknown in

Melbourne for at least 30 or 40 years. For the ordinary
Melburnian that means our city has been progressively
destroyed. It no longer contains the attraction and charm it
once had.
To the city retailer ever ready to adapt to new
circumstances it means expensive expansion into the
suburbs to chase the customers who no longer visit the city.
Our planners lack the courage to bring the city back to life.
Our planners should be reaffirming the notion of Melbourne
as an arcaded city instead of allowing architects to allocate
useless, wind-swept forecourts for the public use.
Quote from The Age, June 1978
Article by Prof Norman Day
Places for People 2004
PLACES
FOR PEOPLE
In 2004 Professor Gehl and GEHL Architects were invited to return

to Melbourne to update the previous study in association with the
Design and Culture division of Melbourne City Council.
Background
By 1980 Melbournes city centre was generally thought to be
unplanned and inhospitable, with the Melbourne City Council
having a laissez-faire approach to new development. This
forms the backdrop for evaluating the improvement programs
carried out over the twenty years from 1985 to 2005.
The findings and recommendations of the 2004 study are presented

in this report.
City of Melbourne in collaboration with

GEHL ARCHITECTS, Urban Quality Consultants Copenhagen
MELBOURNE 2004
The purpose and the methods for the 1994 and 2004 studies have been
kept identical in order to create an opportunity for direct comparisons.
However, the area for the 2004 study has been extended to include
the major new public spaces which have been established during the
intervening ten years.
E xecutive
Key recommendations 1994
summary
Key findings 2004
Improve the pedestrian network
A better pedestrian network
Further develop Swanston Street and Bourke Street as the great

walking streets of Melbourne.
Swanston Street and Bourke Street have been upgraded in new sections with footpath
widening, bluestone paving and tree planting. Large scale projects with active street
frontages (including QV, new Melbourne Central, Federation Square and City Square) also
support a livelier Swanston Street.
Increase the links between the central city and the Yarra River,
especially the north bank.
Many new links have been formed, such as north-south laneway sequences, Federation
Square and Birrarung Marr, Enterprize Park and the Turning Basin, and Spencer Street
footbridge.
Introduce more sun, wider footpaths and more active facades.
Footpaths have been widened throughout the citys retail core, more active facades have
been introduced through the laneway improvement program and other initiatives, and
public open spaces have been developed to offer greater sunlight access.
Relieve overcrowding on the footpaths of the 10m streets and

attract more activity to the wider streets.
Kerb extensions with bluestone paving have been implemented in sections of each of the
'little streets'. The combination of kerbside cafes on widened footpaths in the 30m
streets and expanded street vendors promotes greater activity and vibrancy.
Repair missing links in the pedestrian network.
The systematic integration of laneways into the walking pattern has had a very positive
impact on the pedestrian network and level of activity in the city centre.
Increase the usable length of Melbourne's arcades and laneways

to offer good quality pedestrian access and high amenity.
Almost 3km of laneways have been redeveloped to become accessible and pedestrianoriented. Of these, 500m are completely new lanes or arcades.
E xecutive
summary
Key findings 2004
Make gathering spaces of excellent quality
More gathering spaces that welcome everybody
Redesign City Square to create a simpler space with lively edges.
City Square has been redeveloped to form a welcoming public space that offers a place
for special events and public gatherings, and a venue for alfresco dining and informal
interaction.
Develop more urban plazas near pedestrian routes.
Federation Square has added a lively and highly successful square to the urban
environment. Birrarung Marr has created an important open space interface between the
city centre and the river. Smaller public spaces have been introduced into other
intensively used pedestrian locations.
Improve the riverfront
Southbank Promenade has been expanded west to include the Crown Casino and
Melbourne Exhibition Centre river frontages. Waterfront promenades at the Turning
Basin/Enterprize Wharf and Docklands have been created.
Provide easy, safe access for people with disabilities.
Planning controls have introduced compliance with DDA (Disability Discrimination Act)
requirements throughout the entire municipal area. A program of improving pedestrian
ramps has been instigated.
Increase the city's ornamental and feature lighting.
Street and laneway lighting, permanent ornamental and feature lighting, and temporary
installations have all been increased to enhance the city's nightscape and its 24-hour appeal.
Ensure that valuable historic environments are retained, restored,

respected and interpreted.
Places, programs and smaller individual features have been expanded to acknowledge
and interpret the city's physical, social and environmental heritage.
Strengthen street activity by physical changes
Livelier and more active streetscapes
Support and promote the city's caf culture by doubling the

number and seating capacity of outdoor cafes.
The amount of seats in kerbside cafes has gone up by 177% since 1994. Overall, the
number of cafes, restaurants and bars increased from 95 in 1994 to 356 in 2004.
Improve the quality of furniture in outdoor cafes, including

umbrellas and screens.
A cafe furniture standard has been developed ensuring that items complement the
buildings, landscape features and heritage of the streetscape.
Maintain and expand areas of good quality, interactive ground

floor frontages in the retail, eating and entertainment areas.
Active frontages have been introduced through the laneway improvement program, and
establishment of vertical mixes of caf, retail, residential and commercial uses in new
and refurbished development.
Discourage through traffic by introducing traffic calming measures.
Reduction of motor vehicle impact has been assisted by permanent or temporary (eg.
during business hours) laneway closures, and lunchtime street closures in Flinders Lane
and Lt Collins St.
E xecutive
summary
Key findings 2004
Strengthen street activity by physical changes (con'd)
Livelier and more active streetscapes (con'd)
Widen footpaths and convert centre-of-road parking into safer,

more attractive medians.
Landscaped medians have been introduced into Franklin Street and Russell Street, and
public toilets have been relocated from footpaths where possible into central medians.
Introduce more street trees.
Street trees have strengthened the character of a green city, protecting the character,
amenity and enclosure of streets and public spaces, and contributing to a healthy urban
environment.
Introduce quieter trams.
Melbourne's tram system is being replaced with new technology tram services that
produce less ambient noise.
Encourage more people to use the city
More people taking advantage of the 24-hour city
Encourage more people into public spaces, especially in the

afternoon and evenings by developing a lively city at night.
Evening activities have increased leading to a livelier and safer city at night. The
Federation Square and City Square events programs animate the central city area on a
year-round basis, particularly over the summer months.
Invite more people to live in the city centre. Increase the residential
community to at least 4,000 by 2001.
The number of residents in the city centre has expanded by 830% from 1992 to 2002yielding 9,375 residents in 2002.
Increase the number of festivals and events, including a program

of free central city entertainment on weekday afternoons and
weekends.
There are 75 major festivals per year in the City of Melbourne. Introduction of City
Ambassadors and electronic information hubs assists visitors and tourists with general
guidance and advice regarding activities, places and events in the city.
Create street markets.
New street markets animating the city include the Hawkers and Gaslight (night) Markets
at QVM, the book market at Federation Square, and Sunday art and craft market at
Southgate.
Increase the student community for the social diversity and vitality
students add to the city's street life.
The number of students attending academic institutions and/or living in the city centre
has expanded by 62% from 1995 to 2004 - yielding nearly 82,000 students in 2004.
Introduce housing to offer low to medium cost options as well as

the higher end of the property market.
A wide range of low cost accommodation for students has expanded throughout the city
in addition to other 'landmark' developments.
part 1
public spaces & public life
1.1 M ajor
achievements
This study examines the Central City area of Melbourne
bounded by Spencer Street, LaTrobe and William Streets,
Victoria Street, Spring Street and the Yarra north bank to the
north, and the area of Southbank bounded by Clarendon
Street, Whiteman and Power Streets, Grant Street and St
Kilda Road. Parklands, open space and riverfront areas
beyond this zone, including Docklands, have been excluded
in order to focus on Melbournes existing urban street
life, and to make comparative assessments against the
data presented in the 1994 Places for People study. The
Southbank area has been extended to include the Arts
Precinct and Southbank Promenade west in line with these
areas inclusion within the central business district as part of
the Capital City Zone.
1985: City of Melbourne Strategy Plan
The 1985 Strategy Plan formed the foundation for the
subsequent two decades of the citys urban renewal.
Culminating in publications such as Grids and Greenery
(1987), which represented the first documented strategic
direction for urban design, the 1985 plan presented a
development framework and implementation priorities for
land use, movement, built form, community services, city
structure and the physical environment.
In 2004 Professor Gehl and GEHL Architects were invited

to return to Melbourne to update the previous study
in association with the Design and Culture division of
Melbourne City Council.
The findings and recommendations of the 2004 study are
presented in this report.
The purpose and the methods for the 1994 and 2004 studies
have been kept identical in order to create an opportunity for
direct comparisons. However, the area for the 2004 study has
been extended to include the major new public spaces which
have been established during the intervening ten years.
A good city is like a good party people stay for much
longer than really necessary, because they are enjoying
themselves. 1
Melbourne in 2005 is a lively, liveable and vibrant city that
has been supported by sustained economic and population
growth over the past decade. Important changes have altered
the nature of the central city and its daily life from almost
exclusively a place of work, to a place of work, recreation and
residence in almost equal measure.2 In line with planning
for environmental and social sustainability, increased
1994: Places for People

In 1993 Professor Jan Gehl was invited to Melbourne by the
City of Melbourne to conduct a survey of Public Spaces and
Public Life in Melbourne. The study examined the issues
and opportunities regarding public space and collected data
on public life. The data was presented in Places for People:
Melbourne City 1994, which incorporated both analysis and
a set of overall recommendations. The publication served
as a foundation for further development and improvement
of Melbournes public spaces, as new projects could be
measured against the 1994 benchmark.
Places for People 2004

10
Gehl & City of Melbourne (1994) Places for People: 13

City of Melbourne (2004) Towards a better Public Melbourne: Draft Urban
Design Strategy: 29
3
City of Melbourne & Dept of Sustainability & Environment (2003) Draft
Southbank Structure Plan: 2,7
2
1.1 M ajor
achievements
A larger residential community
An increasing student population
Improved streets for public life
New squares, promenades and parks
A revitalised network of lanes and

arcades
City-wide art programs
More places to sit and pause
Attractions and places to go
A 24-hour city
Better cycle and public transport

access
An integrated policy for street

treatment and furniture
A greener city
places for people 2004 11
1.2 A
larger residential community

densities within central Melbourne have helped the greater
metropolitan area to develop in a more compact manner.
A finer grained mix of uses also continues to strengthen
the local character of the citys inner neighbourhoods and
support strong community outcomes.
Residential Population
12000
9375
10000
8000
Total no. of people
6000
Residential
population
4000
2000
0
1008
?
1982
1992
2002
(for private apartments,

houses, student
accommodation,
government housing and
company share dwellings)
Year
No. of private residential apartments
10000
9721
2929
Total no. of dwellings
8000
6692
6000
Other types of residences

(serviced apartments, student
accommodation)
Private
Residential
Apartments
4000
2000
0
204
1982
736
1992
2002
Year
830%
more residents 1992-2002
&
3311%
more apartments 1983-2002

12
The visual amenity and recreational opportunities offered by

Melbournes waterfronts are now well understood, and two
patterns of change have been of particular significance since
1994:
important district in its own right, complementing the Hoddle

Grid to define the centre of Melbourne with the Yarra River as
its focus. Cultural activities and visitor/tourism/recreation
are the main local employment areas, in contrast with the
City of Melbourne as a whole which is dominated by property
and business services.3
Continuing improvement of the Yarra River corridor has

consolidated the citys recreational and civic spine, with
water spaces and public promenades acting as the stage
for many city celebrations and events.
Docklands has moved from a development concept into a
new piece of city where people are living and working in
significant numbers.
Several whole-of-block redevelopments in the city centre
have had a profound impact on its social as well as physical
fabric:
Federation Square
QV
Melbourne Central
Spencer Street Station
Southern Cross
Each of these redevelopments has provided areas suitable
for multiple uses, as well as some specialised facilities
to meet particular requirements. They have also made
an important contribution to the citys network of public
pathways that interconnect with surrounding streets and
lanes.
Southbank has continued to develop from a place at the
margins of the city centre and South Melbourne into an
Infill residential development complementing the scale and

articulation of adjacent facades, and enabling conversion of
a previously underutilised site to desirable new uses
1.2 A
2002:
6958 private
residential
apartments
1982: 204 private residential apartments
1992: 736 private residential apartments
Legend
Institutional accommodation
Flat/apartment/unit/
serviced apartment
Student apartment
Under construction
1.2 A

Previous building
Current
This page: The addition of new structures on top of existing

buildings has helped to enable retention of various historic
buildings by supporting economically viable redevelopment.
14
1.2 A
This page: Examples of large-scale residential development with apartments in

the upper storeys and retail tenances or residential occupation at street level
1. 3 A n
increasing student population

Universities and other educational institutions contribute
to an active, lively urban environment by creating a people
climate oriented towards young people. Students make a
strong contribution to the citys vitality and cultural diversity,
providing a youthful stimulus and often international
perspective. They also tend to engage more overtly with the
street scene and other public spaces because they are more
available to spend time out of doors, and in so doing make a
strong contribution to the local economy.
Domestic and overseas students enrolled at

central city campuses
90000
No. of Students
80000
70000
61,299
60000
50000
81,732
1993
2004
50,482
46,443
40000
30000
Melbourne has expanded the number of educational

institutions in the city centre over the past decade, in most
cases integrating these facilities into the city fabric. The
number of students attending academic institutions and/or
living in the city centre has expanded by 62 per cent since
1993 - yielding nearly 82,000 students in 2004.
20,433
20000
10000
4,039
0
Domestic Students Overseas Students
Total Students
Type of Students
RMIT (above and below) has consolidated its status as a city

university through continuous expansions in the city centre.
62%
more students
in the central city
1993-2004
Student housing is mostly located outside the central city,

but some student apartments are located in the city centre.
Student populations are expected to continue to rise as the
number of student places at Melbournes universities and
institutes increases, and is supported by growth in inner city
low-cost housing.
Traditional university towns throughout the UK, Europe and
the US have long demonstrated that the presence of major
research institutions in the city is a huge advantage in bringing
technology, talent and tolerance to the local community. More
recently, Richard Florida argues that an increased student
population is a vital part of the creative/knowledge city,
where high concentrations of creative people results in a high
concentration of creative economic outcomes.4
Florida (2003) The Rise of the Creative Class: 218
16
1. 3 A n
increasing student population
2004
Suburban and regional educational institutions, such

as Victoria University, are now establishing central city
campuses for different schools and faculties.
Legend
Universities, colleges & schools
1983 + 1993 (no longer existing)
Existing from 1983 onwards
From 1993 onwards
At 2004
Outdoor spaces on- and off-campus provide important

meeting places for students to work and socialise.
1. 4 I mproved
streets for public life
The City has significantly improved its walking environment

through a coordinated program of streetscape improvement
works. The physical improvement of the citys streets and
lanes provide for the safety, comfort and engagement of
the pedestrian, inviting popular use within a wide choice of
through-city routes.
The level of pedestrian priority public space has increased
substantially in Melbourne during the past 20 years.
Most significant is the redevelopment of Swanston Street
in the early 1990s, which strengthened its status and
character as the main street of Melbourne. Since 1994, the
upgrading of Swanston Street has extended to include the
northern section from LaTrobe to Franklin Streets, including
footpath widening, bluestone paving and tree planting. The
construction of QV and redevelopment of Melbourne Central
to create active street frontages supports a livelier northern
sector of Swanston Street. Construction of Federation Square
and City Square have reinvigorated the southern end of
Swanston Street.
18
Many special initiatives have been introduced in the last ten

years to create livelier streets for Melbournes public life.
Foremost amongst these is the rejuvenation of priority laneways
to form attractive and fully accessible routes through dense
city blocks, enlarging the pedestrian network and offering
better connections within the central city. Footpaths have been
widened and paved with bluestone throughout the central city,
including sections of each of the little streets, Swanston Street
as identified above, Therry and Franklin Streets.
A wide range of other components brings added dimensions

to the citys street life. These include:
The proliferation of kerbside cafes on widened footpaths in

the 30m streets and along the little streets and lanes has
resulted in an increase of seating in outdoor environments by
177% since 1993. Overall, the number of cafes, restaurants
and bars increased from 95 in 1993 to 356 in 2004 (refer
further 1.7 below).
Lunchtime street closures in Lt Collins Street and Flinders

Lane and permanent or temporary (eg. during business
hours) laneway closures. These assist in reducing motor
vehicle impact and present opportunities for informal social
interaction and reinforce a sense of place for people;
Active frontages have been introduced throughout the city

via the laneways improvement program (refer further 1.6).
Other examples include the rear of Collins Place/Flinders
Lane frontage, Melbourne Central redevelopment, QV
redevelopment and the Westin Hotel frontage to City Square.
Bourke Street Mall, at the heart of the retail core precinct,
will see a wholesale redevelopment during 2005-06. Bourke
Street has been upgraded from Swanston to Russell Streets
with kerb extensions, bluestone paving and tree planting.
Additional active zones adjoining or in close proximity to
Bourke Street will soon be offered by the Southern Cross and
RACV redevelopments, and will help to reinforce its role as
the citys premier east-west pedestrian spine.
Today Swanston Street (above and page opposite) is a leafy,

lively retail precinct with broad bluestone pavements and
convenient street furniture.
Expanded micro-scale retail, such as flower and fruit

stalls, newsstands, information pillars, etc, that attract
greater activity to city streets;
Consolidation of the city-wide streetscape greening
program to protect the character, amenity and enclosure
of streets and public spaces, and contribute to a healthy
urban environment;
Second floor building facades that provide interest

through windows, displays, pedestrian overview of the
street and visible indoor activity;
Verandahs providing a generous quality of scale and
enclosure to the footpath that greatly contributes to the
walking amenity of the streetscape;
The citys tram system being incrementally upgraded with
new technology tram services that produce less ambient
noise;
Introduction of partial bicycle lanes / refuges along
Collins Street interrupted at only intersections where
tram stops create congestion;
Improved climatic conditions at ground floor level by
encouraging setbacks above podiums where tower
structures are required, to reduce wind downdrafts at
street level.
Public toilets relocated from footpaths where possible
into central road medians.
1. 4 I mproved
198os
Legend
2004
Public spaces accessible all

hours 1980s to late 1990s
(now resumed)
Spaces at 1993 open all hours
Spaces at 2004 open all hours
Pedestrian zone at lunchtimes
2004
198os
2004
1. 4 I mproved
Active edges policy

Melbournes campaign to keep the city vibrant and engaging
includes an active edges policy. The policy regulates the
design of new buildings to ensure a lively street and urban
environment with a mix of functions and activities.
The most important objective of introducing active edges
along the city streets is to ensure that ground-floor facades
appeal to pedestrians and contribute good lighting and
levels of interest and activity. The policy sets the following
framework:
Shops and food service outlets must have a display
window or entrance measuring at least 5 metres or 80 per
cent of the ground-floor facade (whichever is the larger).
The rhythm, scale, architectural detail, windows and
colours of new facades must be in keeping with existing
street space.
Buildings must provide details of interest to pedestrians
and use high quality, durable materials.
Facades must not be devoid of detail; large facades
in particular must be divided into smaller sections for
articulation.
Signs must be adapted to building designs.
Windows must be glazed with clear glass; facade design
must provide good lighting at night for additional
security.
Roller shutter doors are to be removed and replaced with
visually permeable or transparent shopfront security
screens mounted internally.
20
Additional regulations apply to bans on skywalks and height

limits for buildings along the facade line to minimise overshadowing and wind turbulence along the street. The types
of business permitted at ground-floor in the city centre are
also carefully controlled to ensure that they are diverse and
complementary to the high levels of adjacent pedestrian
activity.
The maps opposite show the results of street level surveys of
building frontages conducted in 1993 and 2004.
A grade facades offer two-way visual permeability
at street level. The activities occurring within these
buildings add a sense of life and diversity to the
streetscape.
B grade facades provide some visual access to the
interior, but it is obscured by displays, signage or the
scale and type of glazing.
C grade facades have a poor street interface due to poor
or no visibility, such as tinted one-way glazing, windows
raised above pedestrian level, solid walls or absence of
ground floor occupation.
This survey shows that since 1993 there has been a
significant increase of A and B grade facades in the
west end of the Hoddle Grid. This has been aided by the
emergence of cafes and convenience stores on the ground
floor of apartments and offices, providing these buildings
with an active street frontage. The most active frontages are
still within the retail precinct centred along Swanston Street.
The area of poorest quality facades are found throughout
Southbank, and along the perimeter of the grid, particularly
Spencer Street.
Large-scale developments designed in the 1980s such as

Collins Place (right) and Melbourne Central (below) greatly
damaged the street environment, but today the facades have
been successfully redesigned and opened up to the streets.
New developments such as QV (above) have provided active
retail frontages that meet all the criteria of the facade policy.
1. 4 I mproved
1993
2004
Legend
Grade A (high)
Grade B (medium)
Grade C (low)
198os
2004
1. 5 N ew
squares , promenades and parks
Melbournes three major public spaces in 1994 were

Southgate Promenade, Bourke Street Mall and the southern
half of Swanston Street Walk. Each of these has been
upgraded and improved, and a diverse range of smaller, but
nonetheless significant and meaningful, spaces have been
introduced into the city. Major new public spaces have been
developed at City Square, Federation Square and Birrarung
Marr, and the State Library forecourt has been wholly
rejuvenated. Collectively these represent a big step forward
for a city previously lacking urban squares in the city centre.
Squares, promenades and parks introduced to Melbourne after 1994
71%
more space for people and
activities on streets and squares
squares, malls, promenades
1994: 42,260m2
2004: 72,200m2
+ new city park:
Birrarung Marr: 69,200m2
22
The role of the citys public spaces as locations for animated

activities (both organised and incidental) has become
increasingly important as the city centres entertainment
and residential uses extend and diversify. In general they
offer adaptable settings with the flexibility to accommodate
diverse activities. These public areas have also begun
to form a network and the future will indicate further
dimensions associated with their impact on Melbournes
public life.
Southbank Promenade
Southbank Promenade has been extended westwards to
include the Crown Casino and Melbourne Exhibition Centre
river frontages. The promenade extends Southgates wellscaled terraces and promenade, sunny spaces, vibrant
restaurant edge and slowly moving passing parade of the
river.
1. 5 N ew

Federation Square 16,438m2
Federation Square has brought a highly successful square
and centre of cultural activity to Melbourne. It is the citys new
atrium. The development offers a creative mix of attractions
to engage citizens, visitors and tourists, and people
eagerly accept the invitations. In design terms, the layout of
independent buildings within a larger whole-of-block scale
draws inspiration from the citys network of arcades and
laneways.
1. 5 N ew
City Square 2,800m2

Melbournes City Square has been redeveloped to form
a welcoming public space that offers a place for special
events and public gatherings, and a venue for alfresco
dining and informal interaction. The communitys desire
for a relaxed, park-like feel had to be realised within the
technical constraints of a heavily used urban space on top of
an underground car park. Its highly adaptable, granitic sand
ground plan derives from the functionality and amenity of
similar surface treatments throughout many European parks
and squares. The squares informal interaction is supported
by mobile furnishings and hospitable edge activities.
24
1. 5 N ew
Birrarung Marr 69,194m2

Birrarung Marr is an inspiring new public park that
reinforces qualities defining Melbournes traditional
parks through contemporary design. It focuses on
environmentally sustainable principles, offers diverse
recreational experiences and provides a robust setting that
accommodates various events. The design abstracts the
concept of water as a natural land-shaping process and
represents the original lagoons and billabongs that were
located on the site.
1. 5 N ew
Sandridge Bridge
New promenades
RMITs Urban Spaces Strategy involved the incremental
Restoration of the Sandridge Bridge and introduction of public

activities linked with the commercial recovery of the vaults on
the north bank, west of Flinders Street Station, will continue
this process of city/riverfront integration. Queensbridge
Square adds a well-located urban space, sheltered from
surrounding traffic, to central Melbournes relatively limited
range of public squares.
New promenades at Yarras Edge, NewQuay and future

Victoria Harbour precinct at Docklands offer waterfront
areas with a mix of residences, work places, shops, bars and
restaurants. The active frontages and attention to detail of
the ground floor facades and building podium levels add
considerably to the attraction of the harbour front.
transformation of a series of neglected spaces between

buildings to create a well-organised series of interconnected,
small and large, open and closed, public spaces throughout
the campus block between Swanston and Russell Streets.
The strategy offers a model for providing more universally
accessible, sheltered, well-conceived and varied public
spaces in and around buildings in other areas of the city.
26
1. 5 N ew
Smaller public spaces in intensively pedestrian locations

include Tianjin Gardens at Parliament Station, Cohen Place
in Chinatown, State Library Forecourt and Town Hall Plaza
on Swanston Street, and Enterprize Park and the Turning
Basin on Northbank. Opportunities to introduce small
plazas/pocket parks within the citys west end have been
realised at the Federal Courts, County Court, and plaza at the
east end of the Collins Street extension.
Tianjin Gardens
Cohen Place
Enterprize Wharf and Turning Basin
Town Hall Plaza, incorporating Cafe lIncontro
State Library forecourt: previously and current
1.6 A
revitalised network of lanes and arcades
Redevelopment of Melbournes laneways has contributed

immeasurably to the character of the city centre as a dense
and lively area for multiple activities. Physical improvement
of the citys lanes provides for the comfort, engagement and
entertainment of pedestrians, inviting a range of popular
uses. They also create opportunities for innovation, surprise
and unique approaches to both permanent and transient
design (refer further 1.8 below).
Totalling some 230 lanes, places, streets, arcades and alleys,
these routes serve as important north-south connections,
expanding the citys pedestrian network while supporting
the formal structure of the grid. The network of animated
spaces also provides settings for activities that can not be
accommodated in the little streets, since they also carry
vehicular traffic.
With the increase in inner city living, many laneways have the
additional function of providing user-friendly and safe entries
to many residences. Increasing residential occupation of,
and specialised retail activity within, the little streets, lanes
and arcades introduces activities that are mutually enriching
inside and out. The laneways therefore support sustainable
inner city development by allowing retention of heritage
streetscapes to coincide with increased residential density
and better use of space.
Eating out is a conspicuous feature of Melbourne life, and

the laneways and little streets contain some of the citys
liveliest areas.
28
Streets, lanes, arcades and

rights-of-way are a set of
spaces that offer intense,
intimate experiences.
1.6 A
1987
2004
2004
Legend
Cafe precinct
Retail precinct or mixed retail/
cafe precinct
Upgraded pedestrian only
thoroughfare
Services only or shared vehicle/
pedestrian thoroughfare (not
upgraded)
Lanes upgraded in 1993
Degraves Street (above) and

Lt Collins Street (below) are
fine examples amongst many
in the citys laneway
revitalisation program.
2004
1992
1.6 A
Accessible and active laneways in the city centre have

been increased from 300m to 3.43km. Of these, 500m
are completely new lanes or arcades these are located
within QV, the Melbourne Central, GPO and Southern Cross
redevelopments, and future CH2/Lt Collins St Precinct
redevelopment. More active facades and varied uses have
been introduced into existing laneways, including the
Causeway, Block Place, Centre Place, Degraves Street, George
Parade, Bligh Place, Equitable Place, Port Phillip Arcade,
Manchester Lane and Driver Lane.
Many laneways are still used as service lanes only and are
underutilised. Some of these present opportunities for future
improvement, while others should be maintained for this
important function and to protect the amenity of other streets
and lanes. Collectively, Melbournes laneways therefore offer
highly varied experiences, ranging from art installations to
garbage dumps, restaurant hubs and residential areas to
main thoroughfares.
1994: 300m
2004: 3.4km
accessible and active
lanes, arcades and alleys
30
Integration of laneways into the walking pattern has had a very positive impact on the
pedestrian network and the level of activity in the city centre.
1.6 A
The Causeway
One of the citys principal north-south interblock links is

the Causeway - Block Place - Centre Place - Degraves Street
laneway sequence
Centre Place
Block Place
Degraves Street
One of the non-revitalized laneways.
1.7 M ore
places to sit and pause

5,380
356
Resting is an integral part of pedestrian activity patterns.
The provision of frequent seating opportunities gives people
the opportunity to rest in order to be able to enjoy public
life and the hustle and bustle of the city. Apart from the
number of public benches, other factors such as views,
shade and comfort, location on important pedestrian links,
and orientation to street activities are important in order to
provide a good seating ambience.
The amount of public bench seating in Melbourne has been
almost constant since 1993, reflecting the substantial street
furniture installation program undertaken during the mid
1980s to mid 90s. While new squares and parks have been
added (eg. Federation Square and Birrarung Marr) public
seats have been surrendered in several other locations
(eg. Town Hall Plaza and City Square). Instead, widespread
secondary seating options such as steps, planter box edges,
low bollards and ledges offer opportunities for informal
seating, perching and leaning.
What has substantially increased in Melbourne is the number
of seats offered via kerbside cafes, yielding 5,376 seats by
November 2004 or an increase of 177 per cent since 1993.
Again, the laneways have contributed greatly to this increase
via smaller caf hubs with many new establishments. This
reflects the sweeping emphasis on outdoor lifestyle and
appreciation of a rich diversity of cultures in Melbourne.
It is a sign of a city catering more and more to the local
community and people visiting, inviting them to stay longer
and participate in the public life of the streets.
Respite in the city is offered in many forms, ranging from

public benches (top Swanston Street), movable chairs
(middle, City Square) to informal features such as lawns,
retaining walls and stairs (below, State Library forecourt).
32
1,940
95
1993
2004
Outdoor Cafes
1993
2004
Cafe seats
Melbourne has seen a remarkable increase in the

number of outdoor cafes and cafe seats over the
past decade.
1993-2004
275%
more cafes & restaurants
1993-2004
177%
more cafe seats
1.7 M ore
places to sit and pause
2004
Legend
1-4 seats
5-15 seats
16-30 seats
31+ seats
Outdoor cafes 1983

Outdoor cafes 1993
1.8 C ity - wide
art programs
City-wide arts and cultural programs have delivered

installations (permanent and temporary), events and
celebrations, and interactive landscapes into public spaces,
with subjects and locations that engage passers-by and
prompt spontaneous interaction.
Creative collaborations between the different design

disciplines, the community and/or cultural groups has
therefore effectively become standard practice in bringing
urban art to the public landscape.
An Arts Strategy has been adopted that sets out Councils

commitment to creating an environment in which arts
activities can flourish, prosper and reach all aspects of city
life. Its aims are many-fold: raising the visible profile of
Indigenous art and culture; examining regional, national
and international perspectives; engaging communities and
cultural development; interpreting heritage and history; and
providing strategies to link funding with projects and events
that contribute to the creative vitality of the city. Council
currently commits around four per cent of its total operating
expenditure on the arts.
There are many ways in which art can be reflected in the
fabric of the city and its social and physical environments.
Developing art for specific locations attracts or conveys a
human dimension or level of interpretation to streetscapes
and other public spaces. Arts activities build social
connections, strengthen social inclusion and foster
community development, noting the particular needs for
marginal and high needs groups. Other opportunities include
linking Councils cultural venues to opportunities for national
touring circuits in the performing arts and contributing
to initiatives in cultural tourism. Encouraging childrens
participation in the arts helps to build stronger, more diverse
and tolerant young communities.
34
Yarra arraY - a major biennial exhibition of outdoor sculpture

- focused on temporary works in Birrarung Marr. It gathered
together groups of emerging to mid-career, Indigenous and
non-Indigenous, artists whose work explores what is under
the skin of the city: invisible, unspoken, ignored, imagined
or unloved. Other recent installations include collective
works that particularly express the concerns, conditions and
aspirations of Indigenous Australians.
1.8 C ity - wide
art programs
Ulilitarian features such as roundabouts have been

transformed through public art into exciting city landmarks.
The city has a fine collection of memorials and monuments

to commemorate eminent people and historic events the
earlier proliferation of these items is now being harnessed,
but they make a valued contribution to the streets, public
plazas, parks and gardens nonetheless.
Legend
Traditional statue (monument/
memorial)
Fountain or water feature
Public art
Temporary art installation
1.8 C ity - wide
art programs
Temporary art in the city

One of the major initiatives is the laneway
commissions program that temporarily
transforms city lanes into contemporary art
spaces and offers challenging opportunities
for local artists to create their works around a
specific location, taking the lanes function,
usage pattern and history into account. The
installations are introduced at intervals and
removed after a few months. This invites people
to go and see places of the city otherwise
rarely visited, and thus contributes to a greater
awareness of the citys often hidden character.
This page: Examples from the laneways

commissions program shows the eclectic blend
of installations in response to their different
sites.
36
1.8 C ity - wide
art programs
Permanent city art

Art and cultural programs also help
to ensure that valuable historic
environments are retained, restored,
respected and interpreted. Other places
interpret or reflect more recent or
contemporary culture.
Scar installation at Enterprize Park

was created by Indigenous artists from
different regions throughout Victoria.
1.8 C ity - wide
art programs
Light as art
Light as art introduces another dimension to
the nightscape of the city. Three main categories
of ornamental and feature lighting have been
introduced - street and laneway lighting (eg. St
Kilda Road trees (left), King Street lighting and
Little LaTrobe Street pavement LEDs); permanent
ornamental and feature lighting (eg. Centre Place
light, the blue line to the railway viaducts (below
left), Tianjin Gardens and Birrarung Marr illuminated
sea wall); and temporary installations (eg. the Town
Hall Millennium light project (below)).
Water feature at night, Southbank Promenade Crown Casino fr0ntage
38
1.8 C ity - wide
art programs
Art at play
This page: More playful dimensions
of public art include imaginative
childrens playgrounds, the citys
designated graffiti walls, street
busking and live, performance art.
1. 9 A ttractions
Attractions introduced to Melbourne after 1994
40
and places to go
Melbourne has benefited from an abundant growth in

cultural institutions and sporting facilities that attract visitors
from local, regional, Australia-wide and international places.
These new attractions are mostly situated close to the
north-south civic spine, to the Yarra riverfront or the eastern
parklands. In each case, new facilities have been attached
to large-scale public space improvements that enhance the
profile and accessibility of these locations.
The blue park of Victoria Harbour and continued

revitalisation of the Yarra River corridor combines to create
a new image of Melbourne as a waterfront city. Recent
major redevelopments such as Federation Square, QV, GPO
redevelopment and Melbourne Central have also created
inclusive spaces serving community purposes for improved
travel, recreation, retail employment and overall enjoyment
for locals and visitors.
Increasingly the museums, art galleries, theatres and

sports grounds provide the symbolic common ground for
Melbourne and its citizens and visitors.
Evening activities and attractions have increased leading

to a livelier and safer city at night (refer further 1.10 below).
Events programs at Federation Square and City Square also
act as highly popular drawcards that animate the city centre
on a year-round basis, particularly over the summer months.
Major new attractions since 1994 have been:

the Ian Potter Gallery (NGV) and the Australian Centre for
the Moving Image at Federation Square
National Gallery of Victoria redevelopment
Melbourne Exhibition Centre (above, right)
Crown Casino
Melbourne Museum (above, left)
Immigration Museum
Melbourne Aquarium
City Lending Library
MCG redevelopment.
1. 9 A ttractions
and places to go
2003
Legend
Entertainment/recreation
Gallery/museum/public display
Cultural & community use
Buildings and venues such as the refurbished GPO (top)

and BMW Edge at Federation Square (above) offer new
experiences, respectively, in shopping and public events.
1.10 A 2 4 - hour
city
The number and location of nighttime and weekend activities

- including bars and restaurants, sporting and cultural
venues - are important factors for the vitality and safety of
the 24-hour city. Melbournes inner city population boom
supplies an expanded audience during periods when it was
previously relatively inactive. With todays more portable
work practices and flexible schedules, people also want ready
access to recreation on a just-in-time basis and nightlife is
considered a vital component of this lifestyle and amenity mix.
The combination of active frontages animating the nighttime
landscape, mixed-use development incorporating commercial,
retail and residential functions, and the wide distribution of
activities (rather than being concentrated in a few areas) leads
to a lively and safer city at night and weekends.
42
The night scene is lit up through extended hours for cafes

(such as Hardware Lane, above, and City Square, right), and
the citys full calendar of evening events (such as at Birrarung
Marr, below).
1.10 A 2 4 - hour
city
The public life of the 24-hour city has been supported

by various lighting and safety initiatives. A whole-of-city
approach to city safety is being applied, with measures
including lighting in parks and streets, provision of safe city
car parks and taxi ranks, greater security at public transport
stops, cleaner and more active laneways, and glazed retail
frontages and fewer blank walls. Other features such as
facilities and services for young people and improved siting
and design of public toilets assist in crime prevention,
building community and modifying behaviour.
In particular, a lighting strategy is being implemented to
ensure that places which are attractive by day will be safe,
comfortable and engaging after dark. This program promotes
extensions and improvements to the citys lighting system
and sets up a hierarchy of lighting appropriate to the scale,
form and function of different places. While the strategy
provides direction for public and private external lighting
throughout the municipality, its focus is to improve the
quality, consistency and efficiency of night lighting in areas
intended for public use and access.
Special emphasis is given to upgrading lighting at the edges
of streets where most people walk to provide better visibility
within ancillary spaces such as lanes, car parks, forecourts
and recessed building entrances many of which are often
associated with nighttime activities. Event lighting and
temporary illuminated displays are encouraged, especially
when they are linked to Melbournes busy calendar of
festivals and other events.
Legend
Accommodation - hotels, apartments...
Entertainment - theatres, cinemas, clubs...
Eateries - restaurants, cafes and pubs
24hr convenience stores &
Retail - shops, kiosks, stalls...
1.11 I mproved
cycle and public transport access
Council has been actively engaged in developing facilities

for cyclists since the first bike plan in the 1980s. Cycling has
grown significantly throughout Melbourne due to its relatively
flat topography, wide streets and temperate climate. The
most popular form of cycling has to date been recreational,
although cycling for commuting has been gaining interest.
This has been stimulated by advocacy from user groups, an
increasing number of events that publicise and introduce
people to cycling, support from a range of local, state and
federal agencies, and higher density developments where a
combination of nearby destinations and provision of cycling
infrastructure makes cycling a mode of choice.
Results of a survey under a 2004 study indicated that of
the 570,000 people visiting the city each weekday and the
320,000 per weekend day, 2 per cent travel by bicycle in both
cases 11,000 and 6,500 respectively. While no definite travel
patterns could be identified on the city streets, it was apparent
that cyclists are present on every street despite safety
issues and high traffic volumes to contend with. There was a
predominance of north-south travel, particularly on Swanston,
Elizabeth and Queen Streets, and less east-west movement.
The competing demands for CBD road space has impeded
the development of a central area bicycle network providing
the required level of safety and comfort for bicycles. While
streets within the city centre still have no dedicated bicycle
space, Swanston Street is obviously the focus for northsouth movements, and refuges have been established along
Collins Street. Other more cycle-friendly works have been
installed along Bourke and Elizabeth Streets, and LaTrobe
and William Streets in peak clearways. On-road cycle lanes
have been established on many city approach routes.
44
Incremental network development within the city centre and

wider municipality has been supported by high quality offroad dedicated cycle paths along river, bay and rail corridors.
Public transport has traditionally been, and will continue to
be, a preferred mode of transport for the city community.
Data gathered in recent studies shows that travelling by
public transport for work dominates the weekday travel to the
city centre, although large numbers of people also travel by
public transport for shopping and social activities.
Of the 570,000 people visiting the city each weekday, 58 per
cent of all travel is undertaken by public transport. In 1994,
private cars accounted for 49 per cent of the work trips to and
from the City of Melbourne. By 2001 this had reduced to 42
per cent of work trips, with commensurate increases in train,
tram and bus travel shares over this period. Of the 45 per
cent of all weekday trips, train travel comprised 31 per cent,
tram 12 per cent and bus 2 per cent.
As the majority of public transport trips to the city are taken
by train, railway stations are major points of disembarkation
and pedestrian activity and more adequate provision on the
adjacent streets is still required to cope with the pedestrian
pressure, particularly during peak times. Tram travel has
been assisted by the establishment of tram superstops at
key destinations and interchange points, and bus travel will
be improved by development of a major bus terminus and
interchange at Spencer Street Station.
Council is also supporting and facilitating the rollout of the
State Governments TravelSMART program that measures and
influences travel behaviour.
Above and page opposite: Measures such as linemarking

for cyclist movement and superstops for tram passengers
have been implemented, however there are still many
opportunities to further support sustainable transport.
1.11 I mproved
cycle and public transport access
2004
Legend
On-road bike path
Other bike path (eg.
off-road, refuge lane)
Tram route
Bus route
Train station
Train subway entry
1.12 A n
integrated street furniture collection
Information pillar
Drinking fountain
Self-cleaning public toilet
Newspaper pillar closed
In many respects, the suite of street furniture that has been

designed and dispersed throughout the central city has
become a signature to its local character. From the sawn
bluestone pavements upwards, a consistent, elegant and
adaptable palette of public furniture, lighting and microscale retail has been established throughout the city.
A cafe furniture standard, covering items such as furniture,

protective screens, umbrellas, awnings and planter boxes,
has also been developed. Its aim is to ensure that materials
and finishes are attractive and durable, unobtrusive and
complements the culture, character and significance of the
street.
Incorporation of small scale street vendors such as the

newsstand and magazine kiosk, the fruit vending stall and
flower stall, all address practical retailing requirements but
also stimulate use and street activity levels. Other items
such as the news pillar, retractable kerbside cafe canopy and
information hub make a strong impact on the personal scale,
vitality and colour of the streetscape.
Finally, planning controls have introduced compliance with

DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) requirements throughout
the entire municipal area. Specific initiatives include:
pram ramps, braille tiles, disabled parking bays, widened
footpaths with clear access to shop frontages, audible traffic
signals, tram superstops, ramps for universal access into
public buildings, fully accessible toilets, safe city car parks,
and an approved mobility centre at Federation Square.
A comprehensive lighting strategy, covering functional and

ornamental programs has been developed and is being
implemented throughout the city. Notably, pole-mounted dual
fittings that cover the pedestrian footpath independently of
the road corridor has greatly improved nighttime safety in King
Street, and will be adopted in other non-tram streets in the city.
46
Fruit stall
Newspaper pillar open
1.12 A n
integrated street furniture collection
2004
Melbournes bluestone pavements are an integral part of the
heritage of the city and one of the defining elements of its
character. Since the early 1980s there has been an extensive
program of retention and repair of bluestone surfaces, and
upgrading asphalt footpaths to sawn bluestone paving,
particularly in the city centre retail core area. Where original
bluestone pitchers exist, they are re-laid to improve drainage
or to ensure smooth passage for all pedestrians, including
people with disabilities, or replaced with sawn bluestone
(below). Traffic measures such as road widenings, road
closures, medians and roundabouts are, as much as
possible, constructed in a manner sympathetic to adjacent
bluestone kerb and channels. Sawn bluestone is also the
standard material for all new kerbs and gutters, except where
equality of access issues, bicycle lanes or vehicle safety
issues require an alternative treatment.
Legend
Bluestone paving
1.1 3 A
greener city
There are approximately 3,000 trees in the central city,

making a vital contribution to the health and amenity of
its streets and public spaces. Trees increase amenity, trap
airborne pollutants, absorb carbon dioxide and provide
structure and definition to open spaces, creating a more
pedestrian-friendly environment and human scale.
Streetscapes represent the most significant public spaces of
the city, and Melbournes street trees are maintained to the
highest possible standards. Councils annual tree planting
program establishes an average of 2,000 per year throughout
the municipality, with an approximately 30-40 per year in the
central city. The majority of 30m wide streets within the CBD
have been established with London Planes. These have been
selected to form a regular, continuous canopy to reinforce the
formal symmetry, regularity and grand landscape scale of
these major streets. As new locations are created, greening
opportunities are realised wherever possible, including
planting in footpaths, centre medians and tree islands.
Due to the multiple demands for space, the places for planting
in the narrower streets are more limited. Where space is
available in the little streets, plazas and lanes, a variety of
smaller trees is being planted to provide compatible scale,
horticultural diversity and offer a subtle emphasis on local
character. Biodiversity is vital to sustainable landscapes,
and a range of deciduous and evergreen, exotic and native
trees are being planted to ensure a healthy and diverse tree
population into the future.
In the five years since planting, the tree canopy outside the City Square has developed into an enclosed pedestrian avenue.
48
1.1 3 A
greener city
2004
1987
2004
The well-established Plane Tree canopy along Swanston

Street (above) and St Kilda Road (below) contributes greatly
to both the daytime and nighttime landscape.
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remarkable increase in public life

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How is the city used in 2004 compared to 1993?

As a final item in this story of Melbourne Citys achievements,
it only remains to take a closer look at the extent and
character of public life in the city compared to the situation
recorded in 1993.
This is possible because Melbourne is one of the few cities in
the world where accurate data on public life have previously
been collected.
The surveys carried out in November 2004 used exactly the
same methods, in similar seasonal and weather conditions
and at the same locations as in 1993. Given that a number
of new public spaces have been added over the intervening
period, however, the 2004 study covered a wider range of
sites. The public life survey is described in detail in Part 3
of this document. Outlined below are the most interesting
findings regarding changes to public life.
A remarkable increase in pedestrian traffic

Pedestrian traffic was recorded on ten sites both during the
week and on Saturdays, from 10am to midnight. Nine of the
ten streets were also studied in 1993, which gives a solid
basis for comparing the situation then and now.
The 2004 survey shows a remarkable increase in the number
of people who walk in the city.
On weekdays during the day (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) an increase of

pedestrian traffic by 39 per cent was recorded. Significantly,
the number of pedestrians in the evening (6 p.m. to midnight)
on weekdays has doubled. In 1993, the pedestrian flows on
weekdays were markedly lower than on Saturdays. In 2004,
the pedestrian numbers on weekdays by day or by night
have grown so much as to equal the Saturday figures, while
the Saturday figures have increased less than on weekdays,
but still grown by a notable 10 per cent.
The most prominent increases are found in Bourke Street
Mall, Bourke Street (Swanston to Russell Streets), Swanston
Street (south) and at Princes Bridge, while the recordings
from Russell Street are almost unchanged. The widened
footpaths in Bourke Street (east), the development of
Federation Square and upgrading of laneways west of
Swanston Street are attributed to this trend. Fears expressed
years ago about the viability of Swanston Street Walk have
clearly been proved unfounded. In 2004 Swanston Street has
more pedestrians per day than Regent Street in London!
In summary, the increase in pedestrian traffic at all times
of the day and week and not least the doubling of people
on the streets by night are absolutely remarkable. The
pattern is logical and consistent, with figures from one street
being reflected by similar counts in connecting streets,
and collectively forms a resounding picture of a city that is
experiencing an impressive increase in public life.
Pedestrian traffic 1993 and 2004

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Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne
From 43,000 to 81,000 pedestrians
per day. Evening traffic has trebled
and is now almost 20% of total.
1993-2004
Swanston Street (south), Melbourne
From 41,500 to 60,500 per day.
Evening traffic has increased markedly
and is nearly 30% of total.
2002
Rundle Mall, Adelaide
A very compressed city centre, which
works almost like a shopping mall.
Many people by day; no-one by night.
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2002
Regent Street, London
A total of 55,500 pedestrians per
day. Less than Swanston Street in
Melbourne.

am-6pm

6pm-12am

am-6pm

6pm-12am
1995
Strget (Main Street), Copenhagen
A total of 71,500 pedestrians per day
in this narrow street (11 metres). A
healthy evening activity level.
1.1 4 A

5,380
Seats on public benches
4,790
Seats on outdoor cafs

3,490
3,440
3,380
The density of public benches and seats in Melbourne is

markedly higher than in the other cities shown. Already by
1993 this was the case. 2004 does not show any increase in
this category, but shows a remarkable increase in the number
of cafe seats. Altogether, Melbourne by 2004 offers seating
for a total of 8,760 persons which compared to 1993 is an
increase of 62 per cent.
1993-2004
1,940
275%
1,340
more cafes & restaurants
1,250
almost 4 times more outdoor cafes
1993-2004
177%
Melbourne (1993)
City centre 2,300,000 m2
Melbourne (2004)
An impressive increase in stationary activities

In addition to recording the pedestrian flows, the 2004
public life survey investigated on the citys stationary
activities, namely all the activities people engage in when
not walking: standing, sitting, watching, leaning, listening,
playing and so on. These are often regarded as incidental
activities that can truly reflect the value of a place to be in
for its own sake, rather than just move through as part of
destination-oriented activities.
These activities were recorded in nine areas of which seven
were also surveyed in the 1993 study. While stationary counts
from these locations appear less significant than the walking
figures (i.e. 5-10 per cent more people staying in the survey
52
Copenhagen (1995)
Adelaide (2002)
areas as an average number of persons at any time between

12 p.m. and 4 p.m.), there is still a clear logic to the overall
picture. For example, in 1993 Southbank was among the few
places in the city offering places for rest and enjoyment on
Melbournes waterfront. In 2004 Southgate has lower stationary
figures than 10 years ago, however there is now a much wider
range of attractions along the Yarra River, including Federation
Square which has become a huge success with a constantly
high number of visitors. Bourke Street (east) has moved ahead
greatly with the introduction of many new benches and cafe
seats. Here the activity levels have doubled since 1993. In
other areas where no additional seats or attractions have been
added such as Bourke Street Mall the number of stationary
activities have more or less remained unchanged.
more cafe seats

almost 3 times more cafe seats
Quite clearly, where new cafe seats have been introduced,

the number of people spending time in the city has
increased. While the increase in stationary activitieshave
been relatively minor for those sites surveyed in 1993, new
and revitalised public spaces such as the laneways and
Federation Square have more than compensated for these.
Given that the number of outdoor cafes has increased by 275
per cent in the past decade and the number of cafe seats
has trebled, it can be safely assumed that the number of
people spending time in the public spaces in Melbourne is
between two and three times higher than in 1993. This is
again an astonishing development towards a livelier and
more attractive city.
1.1 4 A
Stationary activities on a summer weekday.

Stationary activities on a summer Saturday.

data from
Comparison 1993-2004 in the 7 locations, where
both years are available.
data from
Comparison 1993-2004 in the 7 locations, where
both years are available.

The average number of people involved in stationary

activities between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. in 1993 and 2004,
respectively, is shown on these bar diagrams. While the
average increase in stationary activities in the 7 locations
shown represents an increase of 11 per cent (weekday) and
5 per cent (Saturday), the overall figure for the city centre
as a whole is likely to be much higher. This is based on
the fact that, while some of the locations surveyed in 1993
have actually declined in activity, others such as Swanston

Street (middle) and Bourke Street (east) have shown strong

increases in stationary activities, and the newly surveyed
spaces at Swanston Street north and Federation Square have
added substantially to these figures. Given that there is also
a much greater choice of high quality public spaces and a
huge increase in cafe seats throughout the entire city, the
total figure for the city centre is likely to be two to three times
higher in 2004. (For more details see pages 84-85)
54
part 2
recommendations
55
2.1 M ajor
challenges
Melbourne over the next ten years will continue to enjoy all
the benefits of its population growth, economic stability
and high levels of environmental amenity. Rather than
any fundamental changes in direction, it is expected that
a consolidation, expansion and refinement of the past
decades achievements will take place.
The desire to encourage the street as a place to sit, eat and
drink, and watch the passing flow of people has manifested in
a range of fixed infrastructure with permanent physical claims
on the edges of many retail streets. In terms of balance, it may
be that the proliferation of kerbside cafes has had a mixed
result: while they create a vibrant, active street edge where
previously none existed, they provide most of the stationary
activity and reduce the freely available public zone alongside.
A socially active and economically viable streetscape support
a natural ebb and flow between public and private activity,
but it must not privilege private use at the expense of public
rights. Similarly, while the citys laneways provide greater
animation and social participation via new active edges, it is
important to offer places available to sit without consuming,
that are well lit and accessible to all.
56
A city-wide program is well underway to expand and

upgrade the cycle network, including both on- and off-road
paths. A key obstacle to increasing cyclist safety is a lack
of motorist awareness, and improving communication
through driver education programs, public appeal and
building partnerships will be just as critical as introducing
new features such as different on-road alignments, better
integration with public transport, and providing additional
facilities, routes and services.
Expansion of commercial activities and construction of
high-rise apartments has reinforced Southbanks riverfront
as one of Melbournes most vibrant public places, however
substantial remnants of the low-rise, low-intensity land
uses that once characterised the area still exist behind the
waterfront zone. This highlights the differences between
the role of the rivers edge as a regional entertainment
destination, and the qualities of a centre needed to support
Southbank as a local city district. The joint aim of the State
Government and City of Melbourne for Southbank is for it to
become a mixed use, inner city district featuring a strong
presence of the arts entertainment and recreational
facilities concentrated along the Yarra and St Kilda Road,
some commercial activity and a significant residential
populations an everyday experience of visual and social
variety resulting from co-existing and interacting uses.5
However, recent development falls short of these aspirations,
and numerous issues need to be addressed including open
space provision and links, clarifying the street hierarchy, and
improving the street environment for the local residential and
working populations.
Because of the former industrial nature of Docklands and the

remaining active port facilities and railways surrounding it,
its connections to surrounding areas are poorly developed
and opportunities for new routes are constrained. With
Victoria Harbour as its focus, this offers a highly valued
recreational resource. The development of small-scale links
are just as important to the overall network as major ones,
and linear spaces will act as recreational assets in their own
right (ie. as journeys not just connectors of destinations).
More detailed directions and action plans are required to link
open space in Docklands with open spaces, facilities and
services elsewhere within the Melbourne municipality that
are convenient and safe, 24 hours a day, and accessible by
foot, bicycle and public transport.
Draft Southbank Structure Plan: 14
2.2 E xpand
Although generous improvements have expanded the
walking environment of the city during the past 10 years,
further work can still be undertaken to reinforce the
pedestrian network and encourage greater and more varied
levels of street activity.
the pedestrian network
Increase the number and range of respite areas in the

city. Increase the number of public seats throughout the
city, particularly in the west end and at the east end of
Bourke Street.
Expand the number of universally accessible, designated

pedestrian-oriented routes along local, district and
arterial roads.
Develop an integrated signage system to supplement

inbuilt aids to way-finding. Improve directional,
informational and interpretative signage in the city and
introduce electronic (touch-screen) information hubs.
Classify streets according to their hierarchy for

example, the wider streets with greater regularity, and
narrower with greater idiosyncrasy and informality
reflective of city precinct character.
Extend lunchtime street closures in the retail heart,

maintaining access to car parks where necessary
(especially Lt Bourke Street and more of Lt Collins Street
and Flinders Lane).
Ensure high quality, transparent facades and high

standards for paving, street furniture and lighting, along
primary walking routes.
Ensure that arcades, laneways and other semi-public
thoroughfares have longer opening hours and increased
lighting for amenity and safety.
Continuous movement, free from impediments, along city

pavements are important for providing places for everyone.
Redevelop freeway undercrofts and railway viaducts

to support public recreation and pedestrian and cycle
access.
Recover public spaces from road reserves, develop them
to a high standard of detail, protect from overshadowing,
and encourage active frontages in adjacent properties
where possible. Convert where possible centre-of-road
parking into safer, more attractive medians.
This small laneway at Queen Vic Market (above) shows how

others that provide more than just a throughway function
(top) can be brought to life with some active frontage and
more animated building facades.
Continue to implement footpath widenings in conjunction

with bluestone paving throughout the city. Priority should
be directed towards Elizabeth Street, Collins Street and
key areas of the citys west end.
2.2 I mprove
the pedestrian network
Site-specific recommendations include:

Develop better connections between the Arts Centre
Plaza/St Kilda Road and Sturt Street/City Road. Improve
the Concert Hall and Princes Bridge undercroft spaces.
Extend improvements along Yarra north bank for access,
safety and recreational amenity. Upgrade Banana Alley,
the railway viaducts and Batman Park.
Redevelop the triangular space at the intersection of
Swanston and Victoria Streets, incorporating the historic
tram control box. Close Franklin Street to throughtraffic between Swanston and Victoria Streets to form
a link from RMIT/Bowen Street to the City Baths and
redeveloped plaza.
Create additional active zones adjoining or in close
proximity to Bourke Street to reinforce its role as the citys
premier east-west pedestrian spine.
Extend footpaths in Swanston Street outside the City
Square and State Library forecourt to the edge of the tram
lines to form new tram stops.
Install pedestrian signals at the intersections of the little
streets with Spencer and Spring Streets where they are
currently missing to alleviate difficult and dangerous
crossing conditions.
Develop plans and implementation programs for the city
gateway at Flemington Road/Royal Parade/Elizabeth &
Peel Streets intersection (Haymarket roundabout) and
the Domain interchange (Albert Square).
58
The QV development offers several new retail lanes leading to a central plaza,
providing through-block access where previously none existed.
2. 3 R einforce
and improve the cycle network
The low environmental impact and space efficiency of cycling makes

it an ideal mode to provide alternative transport to motor vehicle use
while preserving local amenity. Melbourne has excellent potential for
being a first class cycling city. To date, Council has worked hard to
maximise bicycle provision while maintaining existing road capacity
and, in so doing, has progressed cycling provision to the point of
maximum use of this spare resource. The most beneficial action
for cyclist safety is to reduce traffic volumes. What is now needed is
reallocation of some of the road capacity to cycle priority.
Provide dedicated on-street bicycle lanes or wide kerbside lanes
along all arterial roads to expand the Principal Bicycle Network.
On other wider routes throughout the city, including the
30m wide city streets, make provision for safe on-road cycle
movement, including coloured line-markings (continuous or
frequent interval), advanced start lines and storage boxes at
signalised intersections.
Where possible, especially along boulevards and other major
entry routes to the city, place cycle lanes between the footpath
and on-street parking (Copenhagen model, at left top) or
introduce cycle lanes on a raised level separate from the road.
Integrate cycle transport with public transport. Supply cycle
parking facilities at transport termini or popular interchanges,
and cycle carrying facilities (internal or externally mounted).
Create continuous, fully accessible public walkways and cycle
paths along the rivers, integrated with the city-wide network of
open space corridors, including the Metropolitan Trail Network.
Connect the inner city network with suburban cycle routes (above
right).
Ensure that cycle provision meets all relevant standards or local
requirements for pavement surfaces, gradients and curves,
lighting, security, signage and bicycle parking.
Examples of cycle traffic

management from Copenhagen
Provide more end-of-trip facilities and secure bike parking in key

locations including public transport interc-hanges, academic
institutions and sporting/cultural venues.
Develop and implement community education and traffic

behaviour campaigns to increase reciprocal awareness
between cyclists and other road users.
Introduce planning policy to ensure that all new buildings
or extended floorspace incorporate trip end facilities.
Encourage private commercial off-street car parks to
increase cycle parking provision.
Introduce cycle lanterns at intersections (example at left,
bottom).
Resolve difficult points or gaps in the network and
provide realistic alternatives as part of an ongoing,
annual implementation program.
Introduce Sunday cycle-ways onto a network of streets
that are usually used only intermittently on Sundays, and
re-divert traffic accordingly.
Implement the Northbank Promenade for universal
access, popular use and safety. Widen sections of
the path and improve below-bridge access to offer a
preferred route to Southbank Promenade as part of the
Capital City Trail.
2. 4 D evelop
better links to public transport
The benefits of increased city visitation and patronage of

city services and facilities by public transport is significant,
especially as much of the infrastructure places little demand
upon the road network and city approach routes. Within
the local traffic network, streets need to be designed and
managed to achieve a better balance between requirements
for essential vehicular access, and encouraging a dramatic
increase in the proportion of trips using sustainable transport.
Coordination between public transport, walking and cycling
removes countless vehicles from the citys streets, enabling the
development of attractive people-friendly spaces.
Increase bus and tram priority on important routes into
and out of the central city, including increased peak,
evening and weekend services.
Develop active frontages adjoining tram or bus stops to
provide passive surveillance.
Provide additional functions and amenities at transit
stops including weather protection, real-time information
screens, etc.
Improve the quality of pedestrian/tram interchanges
within streets, ensuring the safety of both boarding
and alighting passengers, people with disabilities, and
pedestrian passers-by.
Develop active frontages adjoining tram or bus stops to
provide passive surveillance.
Support the State Governments Tram Priority program
and ongoing improvements to tram services and
infrastructure.
Coordinate with bus companies to identify route
improvements and improve access to the central city,
including bus priority along certain routes and at key
intersections.
60
Improve water-based public transport on the Yarra, linking

to services on Victoria Harbour and the Maribyrnong River
and providing supporting riverside facilities including
wharves, ferry docks and water taxi stops.
Plan for further public transport extension into the
Fishermans Bend area.
The recent installation of tram superstops provides safer and

more comfortable, fully accessible access for passengers,
and includes touchscreens and real time travel information.
2. 5 U pgrade
streets abutting major transport and retail corridors
While the requirements for through-traffic in the city are

clearly understood, there are still opportunities to upgrade
Elizabeth, Spencer and Flinders Streets.
Elizabeth Street
Elizabeth Street has for many decades been overshadowed
by Swanston Street. The opportunity is long overdue to
realise the potential of Elizabeth to complement the northsouth retail spine and expand the heart of the city.
Link Queen Victoria Market to the citys concentrated and
vibrant retail heart by a higher quality pedestrian route
and areas of greater shopper interest.
Strengthen Elizabeth Streets role within the network of
pedestrian-friendly main streets of the city.
Improve the standards of retail and commercial mix along
Elizabeth Street (and Swanston Street).
Reduce the impact of kerbside parking via street tree
planting and widened footpaths.
Introduce cycle lanes in both directions.
Create standards for ground floor retail frontages and
encourage openings and activities at above ground levels.
Spencer Street
Flinders Street
With the expansion of Docklands to the west, Spencer Street

is now positioned to take on a new role as the integrating
spine between Docklands and the CBD. Transforming
Spencer Street into an attractive and pedestrian-friendly city
street will be one of the most important ways to integrate
Docklands with the CBD.
The proposed removal of the King Street overpass opens

up opportunities for creating a strong interface between
Flinders Street and the Yarra River that has previously been
unavailable.
Develop a framework, with initiatives and priorities,

for the incremental improvement of Spencer Street to
achieve similar status to Swanston Street as the major
north-south spine in the citys west end.
Improve pedestrian connections from all directions to the
new Southern Cross Station at Spencer Street.
Incorporate the railway viaducts and develop commercial

frontages onto both Flinders Street and Batman Park.
Reinforce the links, physically and visually, to Flinders
Street Station.
Provide incentives to reactivate the commercial tenancies
along Banana Alley, with high quality active frontages to
Flinders Street and reconstructing the promenade and
ramps to the wharf along the river.
In all streets, introduce high quality lighting, strengthen tree

planting, widen footpaths where possible and pave with
bluestone, upgrade the amenity and functions of tram stops,
improve pedestrian crossings, and implement standards for
street furnishings and signage.
2.6 L ink S outhbank
with the city
Southbank is full of opportunities for revitalising blank

facades and upgrading street environments (above) to create
precincts with appealing or active edges (right).
Although Southbank Promenade forms the southern edge of

the Yarra and defines the south boundary of the city centre,
little of its liveliness, animation and commercial activity
transfers to the hinterland of Southbank. The aim for
Southbank as a whole is for a downtown residential, cultural
and service business precinct, including consolidation of the
residential precinct south of City Link.
Improve the visual and social connection between the
waterfront public spaces and the streets, buildings,
walking routes and other public spaces of Southbank.
Continue to strengthen Southbanks metropolitan
significance as a major visitor destination, and its local
significance as a high-density residential environment
(ie. balanced and mutually supportive)
Develop a new local centre to support the expanding
population of Southbank.
Employ measures including widened footpaths, more
frequent crossings of busy roads, wider and landscaped
medians, and reduced vehicular speeds and car park
structures, to decrease Southbanks focus as a caraccessed enclave.
62
Reinforce and upgrade Sturt Street-St Kilda Rd, MorayQueensbridge Streets, Clarendon-Spencer Streets as
priority movement routes for universal access.
Reinstate bicycle access (without demounting) along
Southbank Promenade as part of the Capital City Trail.
Develop Dodds and Grant Streets as priority pedestrian
routes within Southbank in addition to Sturt Street.
Clarify the street hierarchy and provide edge activities
to link walking routes with opportunities for new public
spaces.
Protect the urban residential environment from the
detrimental impact of high-rise buildings (including wind
conditions, overshadowing and obstructing glimpsed
views of the city).
Resolve and implement a plan for integrating the City Link
intersection that currently (combined with other physical
and psychological barriers) creates barriers within the
community and between services, facilities and open
spaces.
Provide appropriate measures for universal access along
South Wharf.
The traffic management system and pedestrian access

network at Southbank need to be re-designed to reduce
the barriers and discontinuity between the Arts precinct,
riverfront and central city.
2.7 L ink D ocklands
Melbourne Docklands has added thousands of square metres

of land area and water frontage to the fabric of the inner
city. Where the initial impetus for development was largely
residential, an integrated, mixed-use community is becoming
well established.
Identify the main open space links to the city and to the
water, and strengthen these physically and visually.
Redevelop existing sites to maintain the heritage
values of the area and possibly allow lower rent paying
businesses to move in.
Expand the range of active water-based activities.
with the city
Support and promote the proposal to construct a

footbridge linking the north and south banks of the Yarra
to the west (between the MEC precinct/South Wharf
and public open space at North Wharf) to integrate the
exhibition, tourism and convention facilities on both
sides of the river, as well as to form part of a regional link
from South Melbourne to Docklands.
Provide a pedestrian link aligned with Lonsdale Street
and meeting the concourse level at Docklands Stadium.
Improve the amenity and accessibility for pedestrians at
the intersection of Flinders Street and Wurundjeri Way.
Introduce a ferry service to link with the Yarra River and

Port Phillip Bay systems.
Actively develop the three key themes for the blue
park: the working waterfront, integrated transport, and
a recreational focus combining land- and water-based
activities.
New bridges have been constructed to extend the citys main

east-west streets to Docklands (above) and to provide northsouth pedestrian access across the Yarra River (above left).
2.8 C ontrol
building heights and form
Height controls have in the past, and continue to be, applied

to certain areas within Melbourne. A 40 metre height limit
prevails throughout the retail core to reinforce human scale
and the fine grain of buldings and blocks. Other areas of the
city, however, suffer from adverse environmental impacts
of high rise development at ground level. Development
should contribute to, rather than detract from, the quality of
the public environment and be respectful of neighbouring
development and land uses.
Maximise opportunities to introduce low tomedium
rise buildings to reinforce city centre density, increase
diversity of uses, reduce wind tunnel effects and increase
sunlight at street level.
Identify main view lines to be maintained in perpetuity
without being obstructed by tall buildings.
Extend the Citys policy on sunlight to public spaces to
include protection from overshadowing of more spaces,
including Southbank Boulevard, Southbank Arts precinct
(VCA/ACCA/Malthouse) and Birrarung Marr.
The 40 metre height limit over the retail core area is clearly apparent
in the citys physical form, centred on Swanston Street.
Ensure that buildings give streets and public spaces

an appropriate three-dimensional form, including
continuous street walls and architectural character that
visually reinforces the street hierarchy.
Continue to recycle and adapt older building stock to
new uses, including underutilised spaces at aboveground level, attention to rooftops, and preserving and
upgrading facades.
Medium-rise developments such as
Melbourne Terrace apartments protect
streetscape amenity while enabling
high quality, compact floor plans for
inner city living.
64
2. 9 M oderate
Signs are a fact of life in the city. Signage that contributes to

the vibrancy of the public environment and the citys identity
is highly valued. However people should be able to enjoy their
city without being bombarded with commercials, excessive
promotional material and gimmicks. It is acknowledged that
branding and marketing have brought some degree of vitality
to the citys streetscapes and support the commercial sector
and local economies. However it must not be employed in a
way that opportunistically appropriates the city, or at the
expense of a visually cohesive urban environment.
Review regulatory frameworks for reducing aggressive
advertising and visual noise including, but not limited to:
-
prevent physical intrusions into public space, eg.

display of goods on footpaths, or bus/tram shelter
advertising that blocks an undue proportion of the
footpath width
prevent salesmen from using microphones and/or

obstructing the walking rhythm on the footpath
avoid loud music spilling from shops into public

spaces.
commercial advertising in the city
Harness advertising media in a way that allows vitality

and vibrancy to be maintained but aggressive intrusions
prevented.
Reduce over-extensive advertisements, large-scale
commercials mounted on buildings, rolling advertising
boards and flashing signs, the cumulative effect of which
adds confusion to the streetscape.
In line with overseas cities, introduce protocols for
reducing the impact of moving commercials on trams
to preserve their important role as part of Melbournes
cultural identity.
Reduce the extent of commercial advertising on tram and
bus shelters.
Ensure that commercial and shop signage is scaled to fit
the pedestrian environment into which it is placed.
This page: Current examples of commercial advertising

proliferating throughout the city on trams and buses, public
transport shelters and draped on building facades.
2.10 E xtend
city improvements to adjacent neighbourhoods
The achievements in improving urban spaces within the

central city can be adopted and adapted to the adjacent
inner city neighbourhoods. The combined effect will be to
strengthen Melbournes capital city role, to support links
in pedestrian, cycle and public transport networks, and to
reinforce the local character of individual areas.
Develop neighbourhood hubs where a combination of
facilities, service retail and public spaces will help to
support community interaction.
Identify the unique or defining characteristics in each
area to be preserved and enhanced.
Ensure that standards for paving, lighting, furniture,
planting, signage parking, traffic management, etc, are
maintained across local boundaries.
Develop an appropriate balance between commercial
activity in public places, and the invitation or ability for
people to linger without obligation to spend.
Engage in consultation that focuses on local area
or neighbourhood issues, priorities and community
outcomes.
Develop an open space network and accessible links that
will orientate people to neighbouring areas, creating a
sense of connection in physical as well as social terms.
Redevelop underutilised street spaces and redundant
pieces of public reserve to create pocket parks for local
amenity.
Support and promote the long-term redevelopment
of the air space above the Jolimont rail lines from
Federation Square east and south-east to the Sports and
Entertainment precinct and Richmond Station.
Establish a city-wide program for undergrounding
powerlines.
66
Examples of inner city neighbourhoods where improvements

to the scale, built form and streetscape of the central city have
capitalised on existing fabric (top) or are emerging (above).
The redevelopment of previously industrial lands such as

at Docklands (top) and the Jolimont railyards (above) have
already establihsed, and will continue to play, an important
role in expanding the city centre to neighbouring local areas.
2.11 B uild
a sustainable city
Most literature on modern cities focuses on encouraging

the urban setting to minimise its impact on the environment
in order to create places that endure. Melbourne is ideally
placed to demonstrate its commitment to becoming a
sustainable city consisting of interconnected communities
and integrated, biologically diverse open spaces, and in so
doing will increase its capacity to meet its lifelong needs.
Support and strengthen the citys people climate,
ensuring that residents, workers and visitors are offered
abundant high-quality amenities and experiences that
meet their quality of life demands.
Design spaces to be receptive to contributions from
a wide range of social and cultural groups, inviting
participation in the citys rich urban life and celebrating
its unusual blend of cohesion and diversity.
Establish environments that encourage children and
young people to participate in family, community and
social life, to join in activity programs, and to enjoy
green spaces in ways that will help to ensure an ongoing
engagement with the city.
Planning for the next decade and the future city includes
nurturing the young as the citizens of tomorrow, creating
long-term robust landscapes, and providing realistic
alternatives to a cityscape dominated by motor vehicles.
Increase diversity in planting throughout the city, using

native or indigenous species wherever possible to reduce
water use and introduce habitat that supports natural
systems.
Develop planning frameworks that require Water
Sensitive Urban Design to be built into the design of all
public places and spaces.
Implement a long-term strategy for managing
Melbournes boulevards and major roads, including
sustainable management of trees and increased
provision and safety for cyclists, pedestrians and public
transport users.
68
part 3
public life data
69
3 .1 P ublic
life studies
methodology
metres
0
100
200
5e
4d
9
8
3c
2b
6
1a
7f
10
j
Streets and squares where

public life has been recorded
Counting positions for pedestrian traffic

Squares and streets where stationary
activities have been recorded
70
3 .1 P ublic
life studies
methodology
Streets and squares surveyed

How the data was collected

Pedestrian Traffic Survey

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Bourke Street Mall

Bourke Street east
Swanston Street south
Swanston Street middle
Swanston Street north
Collins Street
Elizabeth Street
Russell Street
Little Bourke Street
Princes Bridge
Stationary Activity Survey

a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
Bourke Street Mall

Bourke Street east
Swanston Street south
Swanston Street middle
Swanston Street north
Elizabeth Street
City Square
Federation Square
QVM (Queen Victoria Market)
Southgate
counting pedestrians
surveys of stationary activities (behavioural mapping)
Method
The method for collecting this information has been
developed by GEHL Architects and used in previous
studies in Perth, London, Riga, Stockholm, Oslo, Adelaide,
Wellington, Copenhagen and Edinburgh, as well as in
Melbourne in 1993.
This second study of Melbourne has been undertaken using
exactly the same methods as in 1993, including similar
weather conditions and the same survey locations.
Pedestrian counts and observations
Pedestrian counts were carried out in the selected streets

for 10 minutes every hour between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Count results were later extrapolated to produce an
hourly estimate.
The purpose of this part of the study was to examine how urban
spaces are used. It provides information on where people walk
and stay either as part of their daily activities or for recreational
purposes. This can form the basis for future decisions on which
streets and routes to improve to make them easy and pleasant
places to visit, not just act as traffic conduits.
Stationary activities were mapped for the remainder

of each hour on all sites surveyed in 1993, with the
addition of Federation Square and Southgate Promenade
extension.
This part of the study also provides information on how many

and where people sit, stand or carry out other stationary
activities in the city. These stationary activities act as a good
indicator of the quality of the urban spaces. A large number
of pedestrians walking in the city does not necessarily
indicate a high level of quality. However a high number of
people choosing to spend time in the city indicates a lively
city of strong urban quality.
The data was collected on weekdays (Thursday) and

Saturdays.
The surveys took place on summer days with fine, sunny

weather in November 2004.
The Melbourne study thus serves a double purpose: firstly,

to record how public life has developed in the period 19932004; and secondly, to obtain accurate information on
how Melbournes city centre is currently being used for the
purpose of future planning.
3 .2 P edestrian
traffic
summary
Pedestrian traffic on summer weekdays (Map to left)
Pedestrian traffic on a summer weekday

Daytime 10 am to 6 pm
This map highlights the area around Bourke Street Mall as the
most active in the city. Nearly all streets carry more pedestrians
than 10 years ago. Altogether the increase in daytime pedestrian
traffic amounts to an amazing 39 per cent increase since 1993.
Recorded on Thursdays in November 2004
16,452
Pedestrian traffic on summer weekday evenings (Map below)
25,200
(12,880)
This map shows total pedestrian traffic from 6 pm to 12 am.

Some 30 per cent of the total daily pedestrian traffic occurs in
the evening. The number of people walking in the evenings has
doubled since 1993.
11,976
(11,832)
35,964
(29,972)
11,724
66,546
(11,376)
(39,076)
21,300
42,492
(10,144)
Pedestrian traffic on a summer weekday

Evening 6 pm to 12 am
Recorded on Thursdays in November 2004
(34,396)
32,598
5.850
(29,468)
17,628
8,676
(2,624)
(11,628)
9,528
(6,176)
13,770
(10,512)
5,304
(5,372)
14,850
(4,360)
4,512
18,072
(2,040)
(7,252)
7,290
(3,212)
8,688
(4,320)
total 1993: 190,772

total 2004: 265,428
up 39%
72
total 1993: 45,868

Legend
2004 = black figures
1993 = red figures
total 2004: 90,690
up 98%
3 .2 P edestrian
Pedestrian traffic on a summer Saturday
Daytime 10 am to 6 pm
traffic
summary
Pedestrian traffic on summer Saturdays (Map to left)

The Saturday patterns are generally similar to those found for the
weekday, with the exception of Bourke Street Mall where there are more
people, and Swanston Street and Bourke Street (east) where there are
fewer pedestrians than during the week. There has been a 10 per cent
increase in the number of pedestrians on Saturdays since 1993.
Recorded on Saturdays in November 2004
7,482
Pedestrian traffic on summer Saturday evenings (Map below)
18,000
(8,904)
11,712
(13,084)
Compared to the weekday pattern, Saturday evening pedestrian

flows are nearly twice as high while daytime pedestrian traffic has
only changed slightly over the last decade.
25,974
(35,396)
7,488
(8,320)
73,512
(62,732)
34,560
5,958
(3,108)
Pedestrian traffic on a summer saturday

Evening 6 pm to 12 am
Recorded on Saturdays in November 2004
(36,020)
21,096
3,756
(18,784)
14,562
7,776
(8,416)
(2,492)
12,432
(9,544)
13,548
(17,428)
7,128
(9,808)
17,772
(15,628)
19,074
3,312
(5,468)
(15,520)
7,020
(4,252)
11,358
(7,880)
total 1993: 194,764

total 2004: 212,862
up 9%
total 1993: 88,020

Legend
2004 = black figures
1993 = red figures
total 2004: 99,420
up 13%
STREET MALL PEDESTRIAN COUNTS
3 .2 P edestrian
traffic
7950
6300
5250
4164
2184
1518
984
750
133
105
88
69
36
25
16
13
79662
6300
6114
6000
Pedestrians per hour
1325
1050
875
694
364
253
164
125
bourke street mall
5250
4164
4134
4000
2184
2000
1518
984 750
0
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
unch of Charity Day, eastward

of counting
10:00-10:30
Bourke
Streetlocation,
Mall Weekday
ounts on Northern side of the street effected
by the Myer
Christmas window
display (seeMALL
Roz for more
details).
Total: 81,396
BOURKE
STREET
PEDESTRIAN
eekday averaged out due to problem with first counts in the morning by surveyor.
A1
Bourke Street Mall Saturday

Total: 91,284
COUNTS
D2
A1
14172
236
250
14000
14000
200
10000
A1
AVERAGE
Between 10-18
66546
9270
I timen
I minuttet
8340
7950
4134
69
8000
6114
102
6300
9270 6114
155
Between18-22
6000
14172
236
13116
5250
10266
171
4164
4134
8340
139
Ped. all day
4000
10 min.
Counted
7950
133
79662
2184
793
6300
105
1518
2000
5250
88
1209 984 750
4164
69
1338
0 2184
36
1537
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
1518
25
2040
Time
984
16
750
13
2093
A1
10000
14172
14000
139
150
12000
URKE STREET MALL - WEEKEND, 27/11/2004 ^

171
155
102
100
10000
69
8028
7536
200
AVERAGE
69
7950
Between 10-18
6300
73512
I timen
I minuttet
8000
4758 6114
79
36
50
6000
5250
7254
121
25
4164
4134
16
8028
134
Between18-22
4000
9222
154
13224
2184
0
1518
2000
12240
10-11 11-12204
12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20
20-21
Counts:
984
75021-22 22-23
Weekdays:
25/112/12
2004
:
10am-12
midnight
Time
12558
209
Ped.
all
day
0
Saturday:
: 10am-12
midnight
10-1127/11/2004
11-12 12-13 13-14
14-15 15-16 16-17
17-18 18-19 86736
19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
1986
11916
199
Time
Weather:
1256
7536 Fine at all times
126
761
4566
76
D2
D2
On 2616
summer weekdays,
window display (see Roz for more details).
436
44the pedestrian traffic through Bourke
by surveyor.
466
2796
47impressive
Street
Mall250reaches an
81,000. There is a definite
D2
14000
541
3246
54
peak
during
lunchtime
and
early
afternoon,
while the evening
250
236
209
12558
204
12240
420
2520
42
199
numbers
are
markedly
lower,
falling
steadily
each hour after
11916
14000
12000
200
338
2028
34
12558
12240
the
close
of
trading.
On
Saturdays,
the
number
of pedestrians
11916
200
12000
154
171
is
91,000
with
pedestrian
volumes
more
evenly
spread
out
10000
9222
ounts on Northern side of the
155street effected by the Myer Christmas window display (see Roz for more details).
10000during
150 the week.
9222 134
than
There
are
more
pedestrians
in
the
126
8028
139
150
133 7536
8000
8028 121 compared to weekdays.
7254
evening
on7254
Saturday
7536
8000
7254
6000
88
8340
236
8000
105
10266
9270
9222
250
133
13
23-24
10266
Pedestrians per minute
mas shopping)
12558
12240
11916
12000
171
4758
4566
155
139
150
4000
100
6000
79
Comparison
1993
to 2004 (Diagram
page 75)
76
4758
4566
69
69
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
36
50
Time
25
16
13
0
Time
D2
250
204
209
199
200
154
134
150
121
100
54
I
I minuttet
Since 1993,
daytime
pedestrian
traffic
on2616
weekdays
has
47
2796
442520
s for each hour consititute
the total 79
of both sides
counted at different
times
eg. 12:00-12:10
then
12:15-12:25).
42
50
4758
50
2028
34
2028
increased
by
70
per
cent,
while
evening
numbers
have
trebled. rate.
2000
counts over 800
pedestrian
per
10
minutes,
very
difficult
to
keep
up
with
counting.
Therefore,
counts
greater
than
800
do
not
have
a
100%
accuracy
16
121
13
2000 7254
The total number of pedestrians from 10am to midnight has
8028
134
Between18-22
0
0
9222
154
13224
11-12
12-13 However,
13-14 14-15 15-16
16-17
17-18 18-19 of
19-20
20-21 21-22
22-23 23-24 on
almost10-11
doubled.
the
number
people
walking
0 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
0
12240
Time
Time15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14204
14-15 15-16 16-17
17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15
Saturdays
remains
close
to
the
1993
figures.
12558
209
Ped. all day
11916
7536
4566
2028
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
199
126
76
Time

D2
86736
4000
3246
Time
4566 69
AVERAGE
Between 10-183246
of the
street
2796
36 (that were
2616
2520
73512
25
69
88
4758
4000
timen
74
2520
88
100
3246
126
105
6000
100

2616 2796
105
A1
102
133
102
2000
12000 ^/+
& 2/12/2004
79
76
44
50
47
54
42
34
0
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
1692
1416
984
6000
4000
2000
( east )
bourke street
12000
7758
8000
Weekday total: 49,734
10000
6000
5070 77585088
8000
4000
6000
2322
2748
4440 4392 4146
5088
5070
4440 4392 4146
2000
4000
2000
250
2322
3804
2748
3228
3804
2646
1692 1416
3228
A1
984
2646
1692 1416
A1
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
984
Time
250
200
10000
6000
5070
4000
2322
2748
5070
2748
129
150
7758
2322
Time
150
7758
8000
2000
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
200
5088
5088
4440 4392 4146
4440 4392
4146
3804
3804
3228
3228
2646
2646
1692 1416
100
1692 1416
14000
50
984
50
14000
12000
984
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Counts:
Time
Weekdays: 25/11- 2/12 2004 : 10am12midnight
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Saturday:
27/11/2004 : 10am-12 midnight
Time
Weather: Fine at all times
13,548
17,428
D2
The pedestrian survey inAVERAGE
Bourke Street (east) was recorded midAVERAGE
I timen block
I minuttet
Between
10-18
between Swanston
D2and Russell Streets. This precinct has
I timen162614000
I minuttet
Between
10-18
27
25974
undergone significant revitalisation since 1993, with the widening
1626
27
25974
259812000
43
of footpaths,
installation of new street furniture and trees, and
14000
2598
43
3156
53
Between18-22
emergence
of kerbside
cafes. On a summer weekday, the
3156the
53
Between18-22
362410000
60
9906
12000
1993 3624
street is used
of 50,000 pedestrians and on
60 by a total number
9906
3582 8000
60
2004 3582
60
10000 Saturday,
the figure is slightly lower at 40,000. The use patterns
4086 6000
68
Ped. all day
19934086show
68
Ped.
allon
day
a marked
lunchtime
peak
weekdays while pedestrian
8000
3984
66
35880
4086 3984
35880
20043984numbers66
3624
3582
are
more
evenly
spread
out
on Saturdays.
3318
3318 4000
55 3156
2646 2664
2598
3318
55
6000
2196 2400
1716 1926
2646 2000 1626 44
44
2646
4086 3984
Comparison
1993
(Diagram
on
left)
3624
3582to 2004 3318
4000
2664 2598 3156
44
2664
44
2646 2664
0
2196 2400
1926
1716
1626 10-11 11-12
12-131993,
13-14 14-15
16-17 17-18figures
18-19 19-20are
20-2120
21-22
22-23
23-24 higher
2196
37
2196
37
with
the15-16
weekday
per
cent
2000 Compared
Time
2400
40
2400during the
40
day and 30 per cent greater in the evening. The
0
1716
29
1716Saturday
29 13-14 14-15 numbers
10-11 11-12 12-13
15-16 16-17 17-18
18-19 19-20
20-21 21-22
23-24
pedestrian
between
10am
and22-23
midnight
are
Time
1926
32
1926
32
clearly less than a decade ago, declining by around 25 per cent.
D2
129
100
25,974
10,512
35880
13,770
Total No. Pedestrians per Day

35,396
29,972
I timen
I minuttet
20000
1626 10000
27
2598
43
men
I minuttet
3156
53
1626
3624 271000060
0
2598
3582 43
60
3156
4086 53
68
3624
60
3984
066
3582
3318 60
55
4086
2646 68
44
3984
2664 66
44
3318
2196 55
37
2646
2400 44
40
1716 44
29
2664
A1
14000

15,628
4,360
Saturday
6pm-12am
10 min.
Counted 271
Comparison: 1993 & 2004
271
433
433
526
526
604
1993
604
597
2004
597
681
AVERAGE
681
664
Between 10-18 664
25974
553
553
AVERAGE
441
Between 10-18
Between18-22 441
25974 9906
444
444
366
366
Between18-22
Ped. all day
400
400
9906 35880
286
286 Saturday
Weekday
Weekday
Saturday
10am-6pm
10am-6pm
Ped. all6pm-12am
day
321
321 6pm-12am
35,964
30000
20000
A1
12000
10000
39
39
46
85
85
85
85
74
74
73
D2
69
73
69
63
63
46
54
54
44
28
44
28
12000
24
16
24
16
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
10000
0
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
10000
Time
Saturday total: 39,522
8000
8000
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
per per
hourhour
8000
E STREET - WEEKEND,
27/11/2004
10no.
min.
Counted
50000 Total
of pedestrians
(bourke st east)
40000
30000
traffic
D2
6000
6000
250
4000
4000
250
200
2000
2000
3156
2598 3156
3624 3582
4086 3984
D2
3624 3582
1626 2598
1626
4086 39843318
33182646 2664 2196 2400
2646 2664
1716 1926
2196 2400
1716 1926
200
150
0 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
150
100

10000
17,772
14,850
Saturday
10am-6pm
KE STREET - WEEKEND, 27/11/2004

40000
12000
Weekday
6pm-12am
14000
A1
12000
1993
2004
Total No. Pedestrians, 1993 & 2004
Weekday
10am-6pm
28
24
16
14000
14000
11370
Ped. all day
47334
Ped. all day
47334
70000
60000
60000
50000
282
236
164
35964
Between18-22
11370
Between18-22
3 .2 P edestrian
73,512
39,076
I timen
I minuttet
2322
39
men
I minuttet
2748 39
46
2322
5070 46
85
2748
7758 85
129
5070
5088
85
7758
129
4440
74
5088
85
4392
73
4440
74
4146
69
4392
73
3804
63
4146
69
3228
54
80000
3804
63
2646
44
3228
1692 54
28
2646
1416 448000024
1692
70000 16
984 28
1416
24
984
16
62,732
66,546
387
WEEKDAY, 25/11/2004 458
10 min.
Counted 845
1293
387
848
458
740
845
732
1293
848
691
Total no. of pedestrians (bourke st mall)
740
634
732
538
691
441
634
282
538
236
441
164
AVERAGE
Between 10-18
AVERAGE
35964
Between 10-18
A1
I timen
I minuttet
2322
39
2748
46
AVERAGE
5070
85
Between18-22
I timen
I minuttet
Between
10-18
7758
129
11370
2322
39
35964
5088
85
2748
46
4440
74
Ped. all day
5070
85
Between18-22
4392
73
47334
7758
129
11370
5088
85
4146
69
4440
74
Ped. all day
3804
63
4392
73
47334
3228
54
4146
69
2646
44
BOURKE
STREET
PEDESTRIAN COUNTS
3804
63
1692
28
BOURKE
PEDESTRIAN COUNTS
3228 STREET
54
1416
24
2646
44
984
16
E STREET -
Counted
10 min.
BOURKE STREET PEDESTRIAN COUNTS
AVERAGE
Between 10-18
35964
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
per hour per hour
KE STREET - WEEKDAY, 25/11/2004
100
50
50 0
43
53
27
43
53
60
60
60
60
68
68
Time
66
55
66
55
27
44
44
44
44
37
37
40
40
29
29
32
32
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
0
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
A1
A1
A1
3 .2 P edestrian
traffic
14000
14000
250
8000
8316
6000
5910
6024
5910
6024
3918
5352
5076
5352
5208
5076 5352 3744
3042
2652
3042
A1
2652
1920
A1
2000
250
1362
1920
1362
10-11 11-12
12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
85
89
89
65
50000
62
51
62
44
51
45
40000
32
44
23
32
23
30000
0
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
17-18
Time
16-17
Time
200
17-18
18-19
18-19
19-20
20-21
19-20
21-22
20-21
22-23
21-22
23-24
22-23
23-24
Time
139
100
99
100
100
99
100
87
65
14000
50
50
87
D2
89
89
D2
85
85
89
89
D2
62
65
45
D2
62
51
51
45
250
44
44
32
32
14000
12000
23
10-11
12000
10000
2004
2004
10000
Weekday
6pm-12am
Saturday
10am-6pm
Saturday
6pm-12am
200
20000
Weekday
10am-6pm
250
23
1993
1993
7,252
139
150
150

50
85
89
15,520
10-11 11-12
45
50
89
87
87
65
19,074
200
Time
100
18,072
100
99
34,560
3744
100
36,020
2688 3918
2688
100
99
5352
5208
34,396
Pedestrians
perr hour
Pedestrians
per hou
8000
6000
Total no. of pedestrians

60000
139
150
42,492
COUNTS
COUNTS
139
150
Total No. Pedestrian per Day
8316

10000
250
70000
Weekday Total: 60,564
10000
2000
80000
200
12000
4000
( south )
swanston street
200
12000
4000
A1
250
10-11
11-12
11-12
12-13
12-13
13-14
13-14
14-15
14-15
15-16
15-16
16-17
17-18
16-17 Time
17-18
18-19
18-19
19-20
19-20
20-21
20-21
21-22
21-22
22-23
22-23
23-24
23-24
Time
Saturday Total: 53,634
10000
8000
Counts:
200
Weekdays: 25/11
+ 2/12 + 16/12 2004 : 10am-12 midnight
Saturday: 27/11/2004 : 10am-12 midnight
150
250
6000
4000
250
4000
2000
200
200
2000
0
150
5754
5334 D2
4974
D2 4524
4500
5754
3966
3744
5334
3510
3378
3288
4974
3096
4524
2802
4500
2766
3966
3744
1998 3510
3378
3288
3096
2802
2766
1998
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 * 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
150

100
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17

96 17-18 18-19 * 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
100
59
50
50
33
59
66
66
75
75
83
83
89
89
96
Time75
75
56
56
52
52
47
47
55
55
46
46
33
0
10-11
10-11
11-12
11-12
12-13
12-13
13-14
13-14
14-15
14-15
15-16
15-16
16-17
16-17
17-18 18-19 * 19-20
20-21
Time
17-18 18-19 * 19-20 20-21
Time
76
62
62
21-22
21-22
22-23
22-23
23-24
23-24
100

Pedestrians
r hour
Pedestrians
per houper
150
8000
6000
75
83
89
96
75
96
66
The counts100in the 59
southern
section89of Swanston
62 Street
56
55
83
52
75
47
75
46
were recorded mid-block between
Bourke and
Little Collins
66
50
62
33
59
55
Streets. During a summer
weekday, some 60,000 56
people
52
47
46
pass by and50 on33Saturdays, the counts are 54,000. Both on
0
weekdays and
Saturdays, the pedestrian flows are generally
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 * 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
evenly distributed. However during theTime
week, one third
0
of the total number
of
pedestrians
pass
after
On 21-22 22-23 23-24
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17by
17-18
18-196pm.
* 19-20 20-21
Time
Saturdays, the pedestrian traffic picks up
slightly in the late
evening.
Daytime pedestrian numbers have grown by 24 per cent

on weekdays but declined to a small degree on Saturdays.
More significantly over the last decade, there has been a
significant increase in evening pedestrian traffic, up by
almost 150 per cent during the week and 23 per cent on
Saturdays. This is testimony to the function of Swanston
Street South as a key pedestrian link between the central
city, Flinders Street Station and the Yarra River Precinct.
A1
A1
A1
A1
250
14000
14000
12000
3 .2 P edestrian
200
12000
10000
70000
3252 3078
4368
3408
2772
A1
3276
3252 3078
2784
3408
2772
1866
1494
2784
1974
1866
1176
1494
720 636
1176
200
720 23-24
636
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 A1
16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23
*
250
Time
150
73
100
50
51
50
55
51
33
55
73
54
51
54
51
46
46
57
57
33
50000
46
31
46
31
25
25
20
20
12
11
12
11
10-11 * 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
10-11 * 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
Time
33
73
50
33
12000
14000
0
10000
12000
55
51
10-11 * 11-12
10-11 * 11-12
12-13
54
13-14
46
31
D2
100
14000
D2
57
46
14-15
51
57
46
15-16
16-17
17-18
46
18-19
19-20
31
Time
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
18-19
19-20
20-21
25
20-21
20
21-22
20
21-22
12
11
22-23
23-24
12
11
22-23
23-24
250
6000
8000
D2
200
4000
6000
250
2000
150
4000
966
1428
1980
200
0
100
2000
150
50 0
100
1980
2448
2904
2460
2886 2928
1914
2460
966
1476 1368
1104 972 942
2904
1914
10-11 11-12
1428 12-13 * 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19
19-20
1476 20-21
1368 21-22 22-23 23-24
1104 972 942
Time
49
48
48
41
41
33
32
10-11 24
11-12 12-13 * 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 25
19-20 23
20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
18
16
16
16
Time
50
2886 2928
2448
10-11
16
11-12 12-13 * 13-14

41
24
33
48
14-15
49
15-16
16-17
41
48
17-18 18-19
Time
32
19-20
20-21
25
23
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
18
16
16
21-22
22-23
23-24
0
10-11
11-12 12-13 * 13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18 18-19
Time
250
D2
250
10000
2004
2004
0
Weekday
10am-6pm
200
Time
D2
8000
10000
17-18
25
Weekday
6pm-12am
Saturday
10am-6pm
Saturday
6pm-12am
200
Counts: 150
Weekday: 25/11/2004 : 10am-12 midnight
Saturday: 27/11/2004 - 10am-12 midnight
150
Weather: Fine
100 at all times
PedestriansPedestrians
per minuteper minute
D2
2,492
51
1993
7,776
50
54
2,624
55
51
20000
8,904
73
150
30000
8,676
100
40000
12,880
200

18,000
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
*
60000
100
3072
250
3276
Pedestrians
pereminute
Pedestrians
per minut
3072
AN COUNTS
1974
( middle )
25,200
Pedestrians
r hour
Pedestrians
per houper
4368
6000
4000
per minute
Pedestrians per Pedestrians
minute
swanston street
150
8000
6000
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
per hour per hour
Pedestrians
per
minute
Pedestrians per minut
e
80000
150
AN COUNTS
2000
0
traffic
200
10000
8000
4000
2000
Total No. Pedestrians
250
The pedestrian counts at Swanston

49 Street48(middle) were
48
100
41
41
50
33between Lonsdale and32
undertaken
mid-block
Little
Lonsdale
25
24
23
18
16
Streets. During
the week, a total of 34,000 pedestrians were 16
48
48 49
41
41
recorded, just
slightly33more than half that in the
southern
50
0
32
25 20-21
24 12-13 * 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20
23 21-22 22-23
10-11 11-12
part of Swanston
16 Street. The Saturday figures are 26,000,18 16
Time
about half the number of pedestrians found in Swanston
0
Street (south).
10-11 11-12 12-13 * 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23
Time
16
23-24
16
23-24
While the pedestrian traffic in the middle section of

Swanston Street is much less than for the southern part,
the number of people walking on both a weekday and
Saturday has doubled during the day and trebled in the
evening. This illustrates that Swanston Street (middle) has
become a more attractive and functional pedestrian route
due to such changes as the redevelopment of the Queen
Victoria hospital site which vacant in 1993, has been
turned into a key retail, entertainment and residential
destination in 2004. The increase in student numbers to
RMIT and the development of apartments in this area of
the city may also have attributed to a significant growth in
evening pedestrians.
A1
A1
A1
A1
250
3 .2 P edestrian
14000
14000
traffic
12000
12000
250
swanston street
200
200
( north )
10000
10000
OUNTS
150
8000
150
8000
100
Pedestrians
hou
Pedestrians
perper
hou
r r
6000
OUNTS
4000
4000
250
2000
2000
2082
2046
2046 1500 2082
1500
1944 1806 1830 1890

1944 1806 1830 1890 1584 1476
1584 1476 900 1218
1218 438
900
438
200
0
0
250
150
10-11
10-11
11-12
11-12
12-13
12-13
A1
3354
3354
13-14
13-14
14-15
14-15
15-16
15-16
A1
16-17
16-17
17-18
17-18
Time
Time
18-19
18-19
19-20
19-20
20-21
20-21
21-22
21-22
22-23
22-23
234
234
Pedestrians
perper
minut
e e
Pedestrians
minut
6000
23-24
23-24
100
50
50
0
0
34
34
10-11
10-11
25
25
35
35
56
56
32
32
30
30
31
31
32
32
26
26
25
25
15
15
20
20
7
7
4
4
11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
Time
D2
D2
56
150
50
34
25
35
32
30
D2
D2
32
31
26
25
14000
14000
100
15
250
250
20
7
12000
12000
10-11
34
50
10000
10000
11-12
25
12-13
13-14
56
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
26
25
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
35
32
30
32
31
15
20
7
D2
8000 10-11
8000
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
Time
250
Pedestriansper
perhou
hou
rr
Pedestrians per minutePedestrians per minute Pedestrians
6000
6000
200
D2
4000
4000
250
150
2000
2000
200
642
642
768
768
990 1044 1128 1140 942

990 1044 1128 1140 942
828
828
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19

10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19
Time
Time
150
546 402
546 402
19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24

19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
50
11
13
10-11
11-12
17
17
12-13
13-14
19
19
16
14
12
16-17
17-18
18-19
19
100
22-23
23-24
0
14-15
15-16
19-20
20-21
21-22
Time
50
11
13
10-11
11-12
17
17
12-13
13-14
19
19
16
14
12
16-17
17-18
18-19
19
22-23
23-24
0
14-15
15-16
Time
78
1158
732 1158 534
732
324
534 324
1000
200
200
Time
19-20
20-21
21-22
150
Counts: 150
100
Weather: 100
Fine
at all times
Pedestrians
ee
Pedestriansper
perminut
minut
Pedestrians per minute Pedestrians per minute
200
100
0
0
13
13
17
17
17
17
19
19
19
19
16
16
The pedestrian numbers on weekdays are 22,000 which

represents about half of the numbers found in the busiest
section of Swanston Street (south). On Saturdays, 11,000
pedestrians walk by, a figure that is just 20 per cent of the
number of people walking in the southernmost part of the
Street. These figures suggest that Swanston Street (north)
is currently located outside of the main flow of pedestrian
traffic which gravitates to the retail precinct. However, the
figures do show that RMIT and nearby apartments, offices
and other institutions ensure a lively street scene during the
week.
As this section of Swanston Street had not yet been
revitalised in 1993, no surveys were conducted and so a
comparison cannot be made with the 2004 data.
50
50
11
11
The Swanston Street (north) counts were made outside the

main entrance to RMIT. This part of Swanston Street has only
recently been remodelled in line with the remaining section
of the Street within the city centre. Footpaths have been
widened and paved with bluestone, new furniture, street
lights and trees installed, and there has been a growth in
kerbside cafes, particularly on the western side of the street.
14
14
12
12
19
19
9
9
5
5
9
9
7
7
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
Time
A1
A1
A1
A1
250
250
3 .2 P edestrian
14000
14000
200
12000
200
12000
80000
traffic
10000
150
4206
3246 4206
4000
3246
250
2000
1500
2000
1500
3870
3870 2964
2964 1854 1788 1872
1554
1854 1788 1872 1554 810 696 534 462 456
810 696 534
462 456
A1
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
A1
100
70
100
54
50
50
25
25
54
70
65
65
50000
49
49
31
30
31
31
30
31
26
26
14
14
12
12
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
Time
250
Time
100
70
26
14
12
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
100
14000
70
0
10-11
54
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
49
15-16
31
25
16-17
17-18
31
30
Time
18-19
26
200
14
12
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
D2 Time
8000
10000
250
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
per hour per hour
PedestriansPedestrians
per minute per minute
6000
8000
D2
4000
200
6000
250
4000
150
200
852 1062 762 744 930 660 768 660

360 408 642 474
354 594
2000
100
150
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
10-11 11-12
12-13
13-14 14-15
14
18
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
17-18 18-19
19-20
20-21 21-22
22-23
23-24
852 1062 762 744 930 660 768 660

Time
360 408 642 474
354 594
0
50
100
2004
2004
0
Weekday
10am-6pm
Weekday
6pm-12am
Saturday
10am-6pm
Saturday
6pm-12am
200
12000
10000
0
2000
D2
250
10
15-16 16-17
Time
13
12
16
14-15
15-16
16-17
11
13
11
16
17-18
18-19
19-20
16-17
17-18
20-21
21-22
20-21
21-22
22-23 23-24
11
22-23
23-24
Counts:
150
150
Weather: Fine
at all times
Pedestrians
per minutper
e minute
Pedestrians
14000
50
12000
65
250
3,312
31
1993
1993
5,468
D230
3,108
31
25
10000
5,958
49
2,040
50
D2
D2
65
4,512
54
150
20000
10,144
Pedestrians
per minute
e
Pedestrians per minut
200
30000
21,300
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
150
40000
6000
4000

60000
6000
Pedestrians
per per
minut
e e
Pedestrians
minut
8000
Pedestrians
r r
Pedestrians
per per
houhou
150
8000
collins street
70000
10000
200
100
100
The counts in
50 Collins Street were made East of Swanston
Street, between Russell14and
Streets 13
in an area
18 Exhibition16
13
12
11
11
11
10
8
7
6
6
characterised
by
hotels,
offices
and
shops.
On
weekdays,
50
0
some 26,000 pedestrians
pass this stretch17-18
of Collins
Street,
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14
18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
18 14-15 15-16 16-17
13 12 16 11 13 11
11
10 14
8
7
6 than
6
close to the figures
for Swanston Street (north),
but less
Time
half the number
for the southern section of Swanston Street.
0
11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
On Saturdays,10-11
there
are only 9,000 pedestrians between
Time
10am and midnight.
Even though the pedestrian numbers are lower than for

other survey sites, since 1993 these numbers have more
than doubled during weekdays and almost doubled (92
per cent) between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays. However
on Saturday evening, there are now 40 per cent less
people walking in Collins Street than a decade ago.
50
0
10-11
11-12
10
12-13
14
13-14
18
13
12
11
Time
13
11
11
0
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
18-19
19-20
22-23
23-24
Time
H STREET PEDESTRIAN COUNTS
250
14000
A1
3 .2 P edestrian
traffic
10000
14000
8000
3702
4000
2376
7134
2748
2000
6000
4000
0
elizabeth street
250
4950
3324 3528
1398
4836
3702
3528
A1
3324
954 996
480 480
2982
2748
10-11
237611-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
1398
Time
A1
954 996
480 480
Time
59
55
23
50
16
17
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Saturday total:
Time28,116
D2
8000
2736 2796 2874 2808
6000
3186 D2
3054
1638
2736 2796 2874 2808
2004 1788
3186 3054
1044 888 1344 1086 870
2004 1788
1638
1044 888 1344 1086 870
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24

10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17
100
46
27
46
47
47
48
48
47
47
53
53
27
51
33
51
33
30
17
17
15
15
22
22
18
18
15
15
Time
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
m).
Time
80
20000
1993
1993
2004
2004
10000
0
Weekday
6pm-12am
Saturday
10am-6pm
Saturday
6pm-12am
Counts:
200
Saturday: 27/11/2004
: 10am-12 midnight
150
150
The counts in Elizabeth Street were conducted mid-block

53 51
between Bourke
and Little
Collins Streets.
During the week,
100
46 47 48 47
there is a total
of
40,000
pedestrians,
which
to the
50
33 equates
30
27
22
53
51
number of people found
walking
in
Swanston
Street
(south).
17 15
46 47 48 47
33 28,000.
On Saturday,50 the
pedestrian
traffic
is
around
30
27
17
15
22
18
18
15
15
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
Time
30
30000
Weekday
10am-6pm
250
200
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
m).
D2
Time
100
50
100
250
4000
Pedestrians
per minute
Pedestrians
per minute
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
per hour per hour
6000
50
10000
17
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
250
50
150
16

Pedestrians
per minuteper minute
Pedestrians
59
55
D2
81
17
20-21 21-22
22-23 23-24
14000 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 16
8
8
Time
150
23
4,252
62
23
8000
40000
81
46
40
50
7,020
83
18,784
46
40
119
3,212
83
50000
D2
10000
0
200
2000
46
59
17
Time
250
55
16
50 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
D2
62
4000
200
23
7,290
150
100
2000
40
50
81
62
59
55

60000
21,096
119
12000
83
100
62
119
46
Time
200
150
12000
50
40
50
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
100
81
150
250
2000
50
14000
83
70000
29,468
250
2000
119
200
100
2982
80000
150

4950 Weekday
4836 total: 39,888
32,598
per hour
Pedestrians perPedestrians
hour
6000
10000
8000
7134
12000
A1
200
12000
Comparisons between pedestrian numbers in 1993 and

2004 do not show the same degree of growth as found
on other survey sites. However, it should be noted that
pedestrian numbers in the evening were negatively
affected by construction works when conducting the
surveys. Despite this, there has been an impressive
increase in the number of people after 6pm, particularly
during the week where pedestrian numbers have more
than doubled.
Between 10am and 6pm on weekdays and Saturday, the
occurrence of pedestrians has only risen by 11-12 per cent.
As Elizabeth Street has not been significantly upgraded,
there is scope for improvements to now take place so as
to create a more inviting street that attracts more daytime
pedestrians.
A1
250
14000
12000
200
12000
200
3 .2 P edestrian
250
14000
traffic
80000
8000
60000
100
2880
250
4000
1818 2880 1896
2000
420
750
756
756
534
534
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
A1
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
Time
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
50000
48
50
50
0
0
30
7
7
13
48
32
32
30
13
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
14-15
15
19
22
15
19
22
15-16
15-16
16-17
17-18
Time17-18
16-17
21
19
18
16
21
19
18
16
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
13
13
22-23
22-23
9
23-24
23-24
Time
Time
100
200
18
16
13
250
14000
0
100
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
48
12000
50
10000
10000
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
200
15
13
22
19
21
19
18
16
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
13
D2
8000
18-19
10-11
11-12
12-13
250
8000
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
Time 14,124
Saturday total:
22-23
23-24
6000
r r
Pedestrians
perper
houhou
Pedestrians
Pedestrians per minutePedestrians per minute
6000
200
D2
4000
4000
250
150
2000
2000
200
756
756
810
810
858
858
948 1038 1068 1092 1152 1206 1200 1200 1182 1158
948 1038 1068 1092 1152 1206 1200 1200 1182 1158
100
0
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
Time
Time
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
13
14
14
16
17
18
18
19
20
20
20
20
19
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
18
19
20
20
20
20
19
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
150
50
100
Time
50
13
14
14
16
17
18
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
1993
1993
2004
2004
0
Weekday
10am-6pm
200
32
30
7
17-18
Time
Weekday
6pm-12am
Saturday
10am-6pm
Saturday
6pm-12am
Counts: 150
150
Weekdays: 25/11
+ 2/12 2004 : 10am-12 midnight
Saturday: 27/11 : 10am-12 midnight
Weather: Fine
100 at all times
Pedestrians
minut
e e
Pedestrians
perper
minut
10-11
12000
7,128
19
9,808
21
10000
7,488
22
19
15
13
5,372
250
5,304
14000
32
30
20000
8,320
48
50
150
D2
D2
30000
11,376
D2
D2
40000
11,724
Pedestrians per minute Pedestrians per minute
150
250
420
750 1818
1116 1326 1236 1140 1062 978

1896 906
1326 1236 1140 1062
1116
978
906
100
A1
4000
e
Pedestrians
per minut
e
Pedestrians
per minut
Pedestrians
per hou
Pedestrians
perr hour
6000
6000

comparison : 1993 - 20004
150
8000
200
russell street
150
10000
2000
70000
10000
NTS
NTS
A1
A1
A1
100
The counts5050in Russell Street were taken in the middle of the

20
20
20
20
19
18
18
17
14
14
block between13Bourke
and16
Little
Collins
Streets.
Both
20
20 on20
20
19
18
18
17
16
14
14
13
weekdays and
Saturday, the number of pedestrians recorded
0
12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23
0 11-12
was modest:
just
17,000 and 14,000 respectively.
11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23
Time
Time
19
19
23-24
23-24
Russell Street has not seen a significant increase in

pedestrian numbers over the last decade. During the
week, the number of people walking is virtually the same
as for 1993 but on Saturdays, pedestrians have declined
by 10 per cent during the day and 27 per cent after 6pm.
This fall in numbers may be the result of a shift in the
distribution of weekend activities and attractions in the
city. The large rise in pedestrian volumes observed for
southern and western parts of the city provide some idea
as to where people are now walking in the evening.
Time
TTLE BOURKE STREET PEDESTRIAN COUNTS

TLE BOURKE STREET PEDESTRIAN COUNTS
A1
A1
250
3 .2 P edestrian
14000
traffic
14000
12000
250
little bourke street
80000
200
12000
200
10000
10000
OUNTS
70000
150
8000
250
4000
2154 1908
2070 1992 1908
1662
1644 1380 1770
1350 2070 1992
2154 1908
1308
1908
948
1770
1662
1644 1380
630 1350
1308
948
630
A1
2000
2000200
10-11
250
150
10-11
11-12
11-12
12-13
12-13
13-14
14-15
13-14
15-16
14-15
16-17
15-16
588
588
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
16-17
17-18
Time
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
100
50
11
32
27
30
23
23
30
36
36
50000
32
32
28
28
22
22
16
16
10
10-11
11-12
10-11
11-12
12-13
12-13
13-14
13-14
14-15
14-15
15-16
15-16
16-17
17-18
16-17
Time17-18
18-19
18-19
19-20
19-20
20-21
20-21
21-22
21-22
22-23
22-23
23-24
23-24
32
28
16
250
10
250
10-11
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
Time
12000
50
12000
10000
10000
0
11-12
35
33
23
32
27
30
23
36
32
28
11
22
200
200
16
10
D2
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
Time
250
8000
8000
6000
6000200
D2
4000
250
4000
2400 2520
2172 2022
2520 1968
2076 2280
1740 2172 2022 1866 2076 2280 2400
1968 1416
1866
1308 1740
1416 864
912 1308
200
510 912
864
100
510
150
2000
2000
0
0
150
100
50
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
42
40
38
Time
36
34
33
31
Time 35
29
24
22
15
14
9
0
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
40
42
21-22
22-23
23-24
Time
50
15
22
29
36
34
31
35
38
33
24
14
0
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
Time
-12:25). Therefore,
Therefore,totals
totals used
used constitute
constitute an
an average.
average.
12:25).
19-20
20-21
21-22
22-23
23-24
10000
1993
1993
2004
2004
0
Weekday
10am-6pm
Weekday
6pm-12am
Saturday
10am-6pm
Saturday
6pm-12am
Counts: 150
150
Weekdays: 25/11 + 2/12 2004 : 10am-12 midnight
Saturdays: 27/11 + 4/12 2004 : 10am-12 midnight
Weather: 100
Fine at all times
Pedestrians
per
minut
Pedestrians
per
minut
ee
6,176
11
22
9,544
36
12,432
30
23
11,712
27
13,084
32
20000
9,528
33
23
D2
D2
30000
11,832
35
50
D2
D2
40000
10
11,976
33
27
100
14000
Pedestrians
per
hou
r r
Pedestrians
per
hou
35
23
32
Time
14000
100
82
33
11
Time
150
23
50
35
Total No. of Pedestrians Per Day
A1
4000
200
60000
100
Pedestrians
minut
Pedestrians
per per
minut
e e
Pedestrians
per per
hourhour
Pedestrians
6000
6000

150
8000
UNTS
A1
A1
100
38
40
42
50
36
42 33
35
34 counts
40
31
38 made
In Little Bourke
Street, pedestrian
mid29
50
36
35were
34
33 24
31
29
22
24 14
15
22
block between
Swanston
and
Russell
Streets,
in
the
heart
9
15
14
9
of Chinatown.
The
weekday
figures
(21,000)
and
Saturday
0
0
10-11 11-12demonstrate
12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16
17-18 18-19 19-20attraction
20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
numbers (24,000)
the16-17
considerable
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16
16-17
17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
Time
Time people walking in
of Chinatown. There are almost as many
Little Bourke Street as for Swanston Street (middle).
Comparing the 1993 and 2004 surveys, the pedestrian

numbers in Little Bourke Street have remained steady or
fallen slightly during the day. As for most other survey
sites, people walking in the evening has increased, up by
55per cent on weekdays and 30 per cent on Saturdays.
A1
A1
A1
14000
6000
4000
3276
1974
3072
4368
3276
3252 3078
2772
3252 3078
2772
3408
1866
1494
2784
1974
1866
A1
1494
1176
720 636
1176
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23
720 23-24
636
*
Time
73
100
55
51
50
33
51
50
0
10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
*
54
73
55
54
51
51
46
31
12 23-24
11
10-11 * 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23
Time
10-11 * 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
D2
73
55
33
10-11 * 11-12
12-13
54
13-14
14-15
51
15-16
46
16-17
57
17-18
20
12
11
22-23
23-24
12
11
22-23
23-24
250
D2
46
18-19
31
19-20
Time
12000
25
20-21
25
21-22
20
14000
250
200
20000
10000
7,880
46
30000
11,358
D2
31
40000
20
Time
33
51
11
8,416
46
12
14,562
51
25
20
4,320
54
57
25
8,688
55
51
50
100
D2
31
46
11,628
73
57
50000
46
33
Time
100
150
57
46
17,628
Pedestrians
Pedestrians per
minute per minute
2784
A1
0
50
3408

60000
100
4368
IAN COUNTS
3072
14000
princes bridge
70000
150
Pedestrians
per
Pedestrians
per minut
e minute
Pedestrians
per hourper hour
Pedestrians
8000
6000
150
200
80000
150
IAN COUNTS
200
250
traffic
200
10000
8000
0
2000
3 .2 P edestrian
200
12000
10000
250
250
14000
12000
2000
4000
A1
250
1993
1993
2004
2004
0
Weekday
10am-6pm
Weekday
6pm-12am
Saturday
10am-6pm
Saturday
6pm-12am
0
10-11 * 11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22
Time
12000

D2
8000
10000
250
Pedestrians per
hour
Pedestrians
per hour
Pedestrians
Pedestrians per
minute per minute
6000
D2
8000
4000
200
250
6000
2000
150
200
966
1428
1980
2448
4000
0
100
150
2000
2448
2886 2928
2886 2928
0
50
2460
2904
1914
1476 1368
1104 972 942
2904
1980* 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19

10-11 11-12 12-13
1914 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
966
1428
1476 1368
1104 972 942
Time
48
500
100
2460
49
48
41
41
33
32
25
24 12-13 * 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20
23
10-11 11-12
20-21
21-22
22-23 23-24
18
16
16
16
10-11
16
33
41
11-12 12-13 * 13-14
24
48
14-15
49
15-16
Time48
41
16-17
32
17-18 18-19
Time
19-20
25
20-21
23
21-22
19-20
20-21
21-22
18
22-23
23-24
16
16
22-23
23-24
0
10-11
11-12 12-13 * 13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18 18-19
Time
Counts:
200
150
Weekdays: 25/11
+ 2/12 2004 : 10am-12 midnight
Pedestrians
Pedestrians per
minute per minute
10000
150
100
49
48
48
The pedestrian
survey halfway
along
Princes
Bridge recorded
41
41
50
100
33
32
24 both during the week and on25
23
about 26,000 16
people
Saturday.
18
16
Despite a busier period during lunchtime
and
in
the
afternoon,
49
48
48
41 generally41does not fluctuate but
the number500of people walking
33
32 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23
10-11 11-12 12-13 * 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19
25 23
24
18 16
remains steady16throughout the day and Time
into the evening.
16
23-24
16
0
10-11 11-12 12-13 * 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19
Time
19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24
The area around Princes Bridge has seen many changes

over the past decade, including the transformation of
a deserted plaza to the inviting and vibrant Federation
Square, the consolidation of railway tracks to reclaim
public space as Birrarung Marr, and the extension of the
Southgate promenade westwards in association with the
development of the Casino Entertainment Complex and
Exhibition Centre. This significant vitalisation of the river
precinct is reflected in the pedestrian numbers recorded.
On weekdays, pedestrian numbers are up by 52 per cent
and more than doubled in the evening. On Saturday there
are 73 per cent more pedestrians between 10am-6pm, and
44 per cent more from 6pm to midnight.
450
400
3 . 3 S tationary
450
400
350
350
250
summary
200
323
300
150
250
100
200
50
150
0
450
100
Swanston St
north
250
200
300
282
100
middle
50
0
350
300
200 St
Swanston
100
Elizabeth
Street
Bourke St
Mall
450
50
195
250
0
150
200
100
150
50
100
400
Bourke St
east
97
50
Swanston
450 St
south
400
City
Square
219
150
100
Cultural activities
Cultural
activities
Commercial
Commercialactivities
activities
Children playing
Children
playing
Lying down
down
Lying
Secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
Sitting
at cafe& standing)
Caf
(sitting
Primary seating
Moveable
Chairs
Standing
Standing
84
150
Bourke Street Mall: Many people standing and seated on

benches, but no outdoor caf activities are found in this
crowded and predominantly retail mall.
Bourke Street (east): The newly introduced benches and
100
For each location the types of activities people were engaged in

are shown:
outdoor cafs are clearly reflected in the use pattern.

Federation
Square
Swanston Street: Many people standing and sitting in the

middle section which incorporates the State Library forecourt.
Lower activity levels in the southern and northern sections of
the Street.
City Square: People are seated on informal seating such as
50
04
238
50
200
250
200
300
250
350
300
350
4 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
On the map to the left are shown the average number of

activities found between 12 pm and 4pm. Or told in another
way: If an aerial photo was taken at any time between 12 pm
and 4pm this is the number of persons who would likely be
found in the photo.
100
250
200
150
187
400
150
300
50
62
450
200
350
250
250
400
150
150
1993
2004
A high number of people engaged in stationary activities

tell a story of a city with popular and inviting public spaces.
Stationary activities were recorded in 10 locations in
Melbournes city centre, between 10 am and midnight.
300
450
350
200
400
350
400
250
50
329
300
300
100
350
450
350
SQUARE WEEKEND 1993 VS 2004
450
400
50
QVM
Stationary activities on a summer weekday.

Average in the period between 12pm and 4pm.
450
49
400
300
activities
ledges and grass.

Southgate
Federation Square: The popularity of this new square is clearly

reflected in the recordings. At lunchtime more people are
found here than in Southgate. Cafe activities dominate the use
pattern.
Queen Victoria Market: Competes with the middle part of

Swanston Street in being the liveliest spot in town, when the
Market is open. People at kerbside cafes dominate the use
pattern.
Southgate: The use pattern is dominated by people in outdoor

cafes.
450
400
350
250
400
355
350
150
450
50
200
15
400
450
350
400
300
350
100
50
0
QVM
450
Swanston St
north
400
450
350
400
300
350
250
250
300
200
250
150
200
100
50
0
200
400
150
350
329
76
150
400
150
133
350
100
250
450
300
50
185
Swanston St
200
250
0
middle
150
100
200
100
50
Elizabeth
Street
50
Bourke St
Mall
400
Bourke St
east
300
100
250
42
50
450
Swanston
St
south
400
250
279
City
Square
sitting found on Saturdays reflects that the Mall, contrary to most

other survey sites, has more visitors on Saturdays.
100
50
219
150
Given the fact that fewer pedestrians are around on Saturdays,

the high number of stationary activities points to points to a
more leisurely use pattern, with people spending more time in
public places rather than merely moving through them.
Bourke Street Mall: The higher number of people standing and
200
150
200
Swanston Street: All sections have fewer people spending

Federation
Square
time than on weekdays. It is noteworthy that the Northern part

of Swanston Street has almost no activities on Saturdays when
RMIT and offices are closed.
Federation Square: The use patterns on Saturdays closely
100
50
0
350
150
300
Cultural activities
Cultural
activities
Commercial
Commercialactivities
activities
Children playing
Children
playing
Lying down
down
Lying
Secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
Sitting
at cafe& standing)
Caf
(sitting
Primary seating
Moveable
Chairs
Standing
Standing
During the daytime hours on Saturday the total pedestrian traffic

in the city centre is 25 per cent lower than on weekdays. However
this is compensated by a markedly higher number of pedestrians
during the evening hours on Saturdays.
450
200
300
50
0
250
350
3 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
summary
The use patterns found on Saturdays around lunchtime and in

the early hours of the afternoon closely resemble stationary
activities recorded on weekdays.
300
450
209
100
1993
2004
Stationary activities on a summer Saturday.

Average in the period between 12pm and 4pm.
100
250
150
activities
200
300
CITY SQUARE WEEKEND 1993 VS 2004
ay, 2004
3 . 3 S tationary
300
450
Southgate
resemble the weekday pattern however, 20 per cent more people

use this Square on Saturdays.
Queen Victoria Market: As for during the week, the Market,

when open, is the liveliest place in town. It is dominated by
people buying and selling and many seated on benches and in
cafes.
Southgate: The activities recorded in the midday period of

Saturdays are just about identical to the weekday use patterns.
3 . 3 S tationary
activities
600
bourke street mall
600
500
500
Saturday
Weekday
400
400
300
300

300
200
200
250
200
1993
100
2004
150
No. of People
No. of People
100
100
50
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
Time
0
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
Counts:
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
commercial activities
activities
600
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
500
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
400
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
1993
primary seating
1993
Moveable
Chairs
300
standing
2004
2004
Standing
500
comparison: 1993 & 2004
300
No. People per 30 Mins.
250
350
200
300
150
250
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
0,6
150
0,65
0,44
50
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
100
50
CITY SQUARE - Weekday, 2004
600
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
eople per 30 Mins.
500
400
300
500
450
400
350
300
250
0,56
200
86
200
On weekdays activity
levels peak around lunchtime while on
100
Saturdays more activity is found in the early afternoon. Weekday
0
evenings are very quiet, while use patterns on Saturday
evenings represent some 25 per cent Time
of the peak figures.
100
0,52
400
0,48
450

CITY SQUARE
- Weekday,
2004
: 10am-12
midnight
Comparing the 1993 and 2004 data, there has been a distinct
shift
of activities
occurring mainly in the morning and lunchtime
Cultural
activities
to later
in the day
- both afternoon and evening. This is true for
Commercial
activities
Children
playing
both
weekdays
and Saturdays however Saturday evenings have
Lying down
a slightly
lower activity level than in 1993.
2ndary seats
Caf (sitting & standing)
Moveable Chairs
Standing
200
150
100
50
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
600
600
3 . 3 S tationary
500
activities
500
bourke street
( east )
400
400
Weekday
Saturday
300
300
200
200
300
100
250
No. of People
No. of People
100
200
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
1993
0
2004 10:30
150
11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
100
50
0
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
Counts:
CITY SQUARE
- Weekday,
2004
: 10am-12
midnight
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
activities
500
450
600
250
300
150
250
400
1993
1993
2004
2004
300
200
In Bourke Street100(east) stationary activities occur mainly at

lunchtime and in the early afternoon.
100
200
50
450
400
350
300
250
200
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
0,6
0,65
0,56
0,52
0
0,44
150
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
primary seating
Moveable
Chairs
standing
Standing
500
200
0,48
350
300
400
500
Compared to 1993, there are between

two and four times
Time
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688
0,729people
0,771 0,813
0,854 0,896 0,938
0,979
more
spending
time
in this street on weekdays and
Saturdays. This can be seen as a direct result of streetscape
improvements that offer more seats and inviting places for
Cultural activities
people
to stopactivities
and linger.
Commercial
150
50
600
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
500
ople per 30 Mins.
100
400
300
Children playing
Lying down
2ndary seats
Moveable Chairs
Standing
100
50
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
600
600
3 . 3 S tationary
activities
500
swanston street
( south )
500
400
400
Weekday
Saturday
300
300
200
200

300
100
250
No. of People
No. of People
100
200
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
1993
20040
150
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
100
50
0
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
Counts:
Weekdays:
11/11VS+ 2004
25/11 +2/12 2004 : 10am-12am
CITY SQUARE
WEEKEND 1993
CITY SQUARE
- Weekday, 2004
: 10am-12am
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
activities
600
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
500
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
400
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
1993
primary seating
1993
Moveable
Chairs
300
standing
2004
2004
Standing
500
450
300
250
350
200
300
150
250
100
100
50
88
eople per 30 Mins.
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
400
300
2ndary seats
Moveable Chairs
Standing
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
0,6
0,65
0,56
0,52
150
450
400
350
300
250
100
This section of Swanston
Street has seen a decline in the
number of cafe seats
due
to issues associated with kerbside
50
0
cafe management. However, a quite impressive activity
0
Time
level
has
upheld,
especially
on Saturday evenings. But
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688
0,729
0,771been
0,813 0,854
0,896 0,938
0,979
overall, there is 20 per cent less stationary activity occurring
on weekdays and Saturdays compared to 1993. Over the
Cultural activities
past
decade, there has been a general shift of activities to
Commercial activities
later
in the day, from the morning to mainly in the afternoon
600
Children playing
and
evening.
Lying down
500
0,44
200
200
0,48
400
500
200
150
100
50
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
600
600
3 . 3 S tationary
activities
swanston street
500
( middle )
500
400
Weekday
Saturday
400
300
300
200

200
300
No. of People
100
250
200
0
1993
10:30
2004
150
0
11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
100
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
50
100
0,98
0,9
0,94
50
An impressive weekday
activity level was recorded with
100
the State Library 0forecourt attracting many people through
informal seating opportunities (eg. lawn, stairs and ledges).
Weekdays are noticeably busier thanTime
Saturdays, however the
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
evening activity levels for Saturdays are noteworthy.
0,85
150
100
0,44
200
0,979
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
0,81
150
0,77
250
0,73
200
0,69
300
0,6
250
0,65
350
0,56
300
0,52
400
0,48
450
Counts:
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938
Saturday: 11/11 + 27/11 2004 : 10am-12 midnight
SQUARE
Weather: FineCITY
at all
times - Weekday, 2004
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
activities
600
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
500
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
400
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
1993
primary seating
1993
Moveable
Chairs
300
standing
2004
2004
Standing
500
200
150
100
50
50

0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
600
500
e per 30 Mins.
No. of People
100
400
300
Since
1993,
there has been an impressive increase in
Cultural
activities
Commercial
activitiesparticularly Saturday evenings.
stationary
activities,
Children playing
Lying down
2ndary seats
Moveable Chairs
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
3 . 3 S tationary
activities
swanston street
( north )
600

500
300
250
400
200
1993
2004
150
100
300
50
600
200
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688
Weekday
Counts:
CITY SQUARE
WEEKEND 1993 VS 2004

Weather: Fine at 600
all times
100
250
20020:30 21:30 22:30 23:30

10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30
Time
150
100
1993
1993
2004
2004
300
200
100
Saturday
No. of People
100

600
0
Time
90
o. People per 30 Mins.
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30
500 21:30 22:30 23:30
400
300
200
Cultural activities
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
0,44
The northern section of Swanston Street has only recently

0
been refurbished.
Wider footpaths, new street trees and
furniture has been introduced whichTime
together with the
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688
0,729 0,771 0,813
0,854 0,896 0,938 activities,
0,979
expansion
of educational
promises a livelier street
scene in the future.
0,6
50
200
400
0,65
300
Commercial
activities
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
primary seating
Moveable
Chairs
standing
Standing
500
0,56
0,52
400
0,48
No. Of People
300
500
Swanston Street (north) has only recently been renovated and

upgraded. An increase in use in the future is to be expected,
when more bench seats, cafes and other activities are
0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
introduced into the area. Planning for the square outside the
City Baths, incorporating the tram terminus, is currently under
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
way to create a new major focal public space.
The present day activities are still very modest. Weekdays

show
a somewhat
Children
playing higher level than Saturdays when
universities
Lying downand offices are closed; a condition which is also
2ndary seats
reflected
in the modest pedestrian numbers recorded.
Moveable Chairs
Standing
600
600
3 . 3 S tationary
500
500
activities
elizabeth street
400
400
Weekday
Saturday
300
300
200
200

300
100
250
No. of People
No. of People
100
200
0
1993
0
2004 10:30
150
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
100
50
0
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
500
Counts:
CITY SQUARE
- Weekday,
2004
: 10am-12
midnight
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
activities
600
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
500
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
400
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
1993
primary seating
1993
Moveable
Chairs
300
standing
2004
2004
Standing
450
150
250
0
100
50
600
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
ople per 30 Mins.
500
400
300
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
150
0,6
0,44
50
0,65
200
200
The stationary activities recorded in Elizabeth Street reveal a

100
low level of public life during the week and Saturdays. This
is symptomatic of0 there being fewer attractions than other
survey sites, but can also be attributed
to construction works
Time
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688
0,729 0,771
0,813
0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
affecting
the
results.
0,56
100
0,52
300
250
200
0,48
350
300
400
Over the past decade, the activity levels in Elizabeth Street

Cultural activities
have
not significantly changed, with low levels also recorded
in 1993.
However the growth in pedestrian numbers points to
Children playing
the Lying
potential
down for a much more attractive and vibrant place in
the 2ndary
future,seats
if a better quality streetscape is offered.
Moveable Chairs
Standing
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
600
600
3 . 3 S tationary
activities
500
city square
500
400
400
Weekday
Saturday
300
300
200
200

300
100
250
No. of People
No. of People
100
200
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
1993
0
2004
150
Time
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
100
50
500
0
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
Counts:
Weekdays: 11/11 + 25/11 + 2/12 2004 : 10am-12 midnight
CITY SQUARE
WEEKEND27/11
1993 VS
2004: 10am-12 midnight
Saturday:
2004
CITY
SQUARE
- Weekday, 2004
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
activities
600
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
500
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
400
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
1993
primary seating
1993
Moveable
Chairs
300
standing
2004
2004
Standing
500
450
300
250
150
250
100
100
50
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
92
ple per 30 Mins.
500
400
300
Lying down
2ndary seats
Moveable Chairs
Standing
300
250
150
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
0,6
0,65
0,56
150
350
200
100
Since 1993, a completely
new City Square has been created,
50
offering more active
edges with cafes on street level, informal
0
seating on ledges and raised grass platforms, as well as an
0
Time
active
of visual
and
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688
0,729 program
0,771 0,813 0,854
0,896 0,938
0,979performing arts. Since 1993,
there has been an increase in activity levels with a significant
shift from daytime only activities in 1993, to a much livelier
Cultural activities
day and evening scene by 2004, particularly on Saturday
600
nights.
Children playing
0,44
200
400
200
0,52
300
200
350
0,48
400
450
100
50
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
3 . 3 S tationary
activities
federation square

300
Weekday
700
250
Saturday
200
1993
2004
600
150
600
100
50
500
500
Counts:
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938
Weekday: 25/11 2004 : 10am-12 midnight
SQUARE
Weather: FineCITY
at all
times - Weekday, 2004
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
activities
600
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
500
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
400
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
1993
primary seating
1993
Moveable
Chairs
300
standing
2004
2004
Standing
300
250
200
150
100
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30
Time
500
400
Children playing
Lying down
2ndary seats
200
100
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
0,6
0,65
0,56
0,44
100 is a new public space opened just a

Federation Square
few
years
ago
but
50
0 with an already established high level of
stationary activities. On weekdays the Square is well used
0
Time
but by late afternoon and in the evening
hours the activity
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
levels really take off. On Saturdays the number of visitors
spending time in the Square is considerably higher and
18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Cultural
activitiesthroughout the day until the evening hours.
growing
steadily
Altogether
this is a very impressive success story.
600
er 30 Mins.
No. of People
100
300
200
0,52
200
0,48
300
400
No. of People
400
0,979
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
3 . 3 S tationary
activities
queen victoria market

300
250
200
Weekday
1993
700
2004
150
Saturday
100
600
600
50
0
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
500
500
Counts:
CITY SQUARE
WEEKEND 1993 VS 2004
CITY SQUARE
- Weekday,
2004
Weekday: 25/11/2004
: 10am-12
midnight
250
500
200
300
150
No. of People

0
600
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
500
o. People per 30 Mins.
94
300
400
300
200
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
0,6
There is an interesting difference in use patterns between

Cultural activities
weekdays
and Saturdays. During the week, activity levels
grow
steadily until lunchtime and then drop off quickly.
Children playing
On Lying
Saturdays,
the morning hours are the most active.
down
Interestingly,
2ndary seatspeople in outdoor cafs constitute almost 50%
Caf
(sitting & standing)
of all
stationary
activities.
Moveable Chairs
Standing
200
100
No. of People
0
100
0,65
0,44
50
200
400
Queen Victoria Market is a well-established local institution

100
and popular tourist
destination and so finding a high level
0
of activity was expected.
It is interesting to note that when
open, the Market is the liveliest place in the city both during
Time
the0,729
week
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688
0,771and
0,813 on
0,854Saturdays.
0,896 0,938 0,979
0,56
200
1993
1993
2004
2004
300
0,52
100
400
0,48
400
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
activities
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
primary seating
Moveable
Chairs
standing
Standing

Weather: Fine at 600
all times
300
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
600
600
3 . 3 S tationary
activities
southgate
500
500
Weekday
400
Saturday
400
300
300

200
200
300
250
100
No. of People
200
150
100
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
Time
500
Counts:
600
500
200
300
150
50
400
1993
1993
2004
2004
300
200
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
300

Moveable Chairs
Standing
0,98
0,9
0,94
0,85
0,81
0,77
0,73
0,69
0,6
0,65
0,56
0,52
0,44
0,48
In 1993, Southgate was newly established and so one of the

100
only attractions offered
along the Yarra River. By 2004, a great
50
0
many new destinations
have been added: Federation Square,
Casino Entertainment Complex, Exhibition Centre, Melbourne
0
Time
Aquarium
Birrarung
Marr.
As could be expected against
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646
0,688 0,729 and
0,771 0,813
0,854 0,896
0,938 0,979
this new competition, Southgate has somewhat fewer visitors
on weekdays, especially at lunchtime and in the evenings
Cultural activities
compared
to 1993. The Saturday pattern resembles the 1993
600
patterns
more
closely, but shows more evening visitors than
Children playing
10 years
ago.
For anytime of the day or week, people in cafes
Lying
down
500
2ndary seats
is the dominant
stationary activity.
400
100
100
Cultural
cultural activities
activities
Commercial
activities
childrenplaying
playing
Children
lying down
down
Lying
secondary
seating
2ndary
seats
sitting
at cafe
Caf
(sitting
& standing)
primary seating
Moveable
Chairs
standing
Standing
300
250
150
Time
Weekday:
11/111993
+ 25/11
2004 : 10am-12 midnight
CITY SQUARE
WEEKEND
VS 2004
- Weekday,midnight
2004
Saturday: 27/11 + CITY
4/12SQUARE
2004 : 10am-12
350
200
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
0,438 0,479 0,521 0,563 0,604 0,646 0,688 0,729 0,771 0,813 0,854 0,896 0,938 0,979
450
250
500
400
1993
2004
50
eople per 30 Mins.
No. of People
100
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:30 22:30 23:30
D own
under
and way up above
For a number of years it has been held that improvements to

the pedestrian environment will result in a more lively and
attractive city: where more people would like to walk and
spend time.
Evidence from various traditional European cities such as
Barcelona, Lyon, Strasbourg, Freiburg and Copenhagen
has been plentiful. Copenhagen has been the first city
in the world to produce solid documentation showing
the impressive growth in public life following substantial
improvements to the public realm over several decades.
Melbourne now adds a new dimension to this story. A grid city,
with wide streets and no squares included in its original design,
containing uncoordinated high-rise development from the
1960s and 1970s, it was considered to be a mono-functional,
empty and useless city centre by 1980: a doughnut with
nothing in the centre. Many cities across the New World fit this
description. And in most of these, the car continues to be the
king and the doughnut-syndrome is still prevailing.
This is definitely no longer the case in Melbourne. A carefully
planned and executed process for turning the city into a peopleoriented city has been orchestrated and gradually implemented
since 1985, but particularly during the past decade.
Of all the things a city can do to improve its environment,
Melbourne has done almost everything: more residents and
students, more people streets, squares, lanes and parks,
wider sidewalks, quality materials, active shop frontages,
fine furnishings, new street trees and public art programs.
Many opportunities provide the invitation to walk and to
linger. Meeting sustainability objectives such greening the
city and upgrading the public transport systems and bicycle
infrastructure have been systematically addressed.
Reflections by Jan Gehl
Most of this has been accomplished over a short span of

time, and the outcome of this effort comes out strongly
in this report. Public life in Melbourne has changed
dramatically. Many more people are walking the streets:
on weekdays some 40 per cent more, and in the evenings
twice as many as in 1993. And many more people come to
town to promenade and to spend time enjoying the city,
the surroundings and especially the number one city
attraction: other people. An estimated two to three times
more people are using the squares, parks, street benches
and cafes as compared to 1993.
In summary, the underutilised and inhospitable city centre
of the early 1980s has in 20 years been turned around into
a vibrant, charming 24-hour place that is livelier, more
attractive and safer than most other city centres found
worldwide: an almost European atmosphere - yet Down
Under!
2003 Funky Town - Melbournes CBD ... is hitting new

heights
The Melbourne miracle that is documented in this report

gives hope and incentive for cities in all parts of the world
struggling with the doughnut-syndrome. While many
improvements have been substantial, even the most
incremental changes to public spaces of the city can make
vast changes to its economy, attractiveness and public life.
The key is a fine-grained understanding of the CBDs streets

and spaces.
Melbourne, August 2005

Jan Gehl - Professor, Dr.Litt
After taking a beating for 100 years, Melbournes central

business district is fighting back.
New census figures paint a picture of a city few would
have imagined 30 or even 10 years ago.
CBD retailers employ more people and occupy more floor

space than they did 20 years ago ... since 2000, job growth
in the CBD has outstripped growth in the city as a whole.
An increasing proportion of the growth in business is
taken up by new restaurants and bars. That means a new
central city: more residential, more lifestyle, less office and
dramatically less manufacturing.
the grid, with its wide main streets and network of lanes,
is such a powerful town planning statement that it will always
reassert itself.
The council prides itself on its efforts to support small
creative businesses, to nurture the growth of the city
economy and to care for laneways.
Quote from The Age, 4 June 2003
Article by Royce Millar
96
Acknowledgments
Additional support was gratefully received by the City of Melbourne project team
from the following people:
Austin Ley, CoM
Geoff Lawler, CoM
Simon Drysdale, CoM
Ron Jones, Jones & Whitehead Landscape Architects
Students from RMIT & University of Melbourne who undertook the surverys
Photographic credits:
Jan Gehl
Alastair Campbell
Phillip Smith
Rob Adams
Jenny Rayment
Ros Rymer
John Gollings
Andrew Curtis
David Tatnall
Duke Albada
Lars Gemzoe
Henriette Mortensen
Architecture credits (major buildings):
Public art credits:
51 Spring Street Apartments, Fender Katsalidis Architects (p.12)

Hero Apartments, Fender Katsalidis Architects (p.14)
QV2 Apartments, McBride Charles Ryan in association with
NH Architecture (p.15)
The Melburnian, Bates Smart in association with HPA Architects (p.15)
Melbourne Terraces, Fender Katsalidis Architects (p.15)
Storey Hall, RMIT, Ashton Raggatt Macdougall (p.16)
Victoria University Law School, Peter Elliot Architects (p.17)
BHP Billiton Headquarters at QV, Lyon Architects (p.20)
Federation Square, LAB Architecture Studio in association with
Bates Smart (p.23)
City Square, MCC Design Branch (p.24)
Melbourne Museum, Denton Corker Marshall (p.40)
Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Denton Corker Marshall (p.40)
Mockridge Fountain at City Square Artists: Simon Perry, Daryl Cowie

and Ron Jones (p.24)
Mean Yellow Artist: John Meade (p.34)
empty centre Artist: Sandra Selig (p.34)
Terraderma Artist: Karen Casey (p.34)
Island Wave Artist: Lisa Young (p.35)
Walking On Air Artist: Duke Albada (p.36)
Rosies Secret Artist: Lisa Richardson (p.36)
There are a few facts I think you ought to know ... Artist: Louisa Bufardeci (p.36)
Federation Bells Artists: Neil McLachlan and Anton Hassell (p.37)
Scar - A Stolen Vision Artists: Karen Casey, Craig Charles, Glenn Romanis,
Maree Clarke, Ray Thomas, Ricardo Idagi, Treahna Hamm (p.37)
Constellation Artists: Geoff Bartlett and Bruce Armstrong (p.37)
Ilotopie Various artists (p.39)

Gehl Melbourne 2004

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PLACES

City of Melbourne in collaboration with

City of Melbourne project team

Jan Gehl, Professor, Dr. litt.

This study examines the Central City area of Melbourne

places for people 2004

part 3 public life data

Public life studies - methodology

places for people 2004 

Public Spaces and Public Life studies 1994 & 2004

1978 An empty, useless city centre

1994: Places for People

Effective city planning has been almost unknown in

Places for People 2004

In 2004 Professor Gehl and GEHL Architects were invited to return

places for people 2004

The findings and recommendations of the 2004 study are presented

City of Melbourne in collaboration with

Key findings 2004

Improve the pedestrian network

A better pedestrian network

Further develop Swanston Street and Bourke Street as the great

Introduce more sun, wider footpaths and more active facades.

Relieve overcrowding on the footpaths of the 10m streets and

Repair missing links in the pedestrian network.

Increase the usable length of Melbourne's arcades and laneways

places for people 2004 

Key recommendations 1994

Key findings 2004

Make gathering spaces of excellent quality

More gathering spaces that welcome everybody

Redesign City Square to create a simpler space with lively edges.

Develop more urban plazas near pedestrian routes.

Improve the riverfront

Provide easy, safe access for people with disabilities.

Increase the city's ornamental and feature lighting.

Ensure that valuable historic environments are retained, restored,

Strengthen street activity by physical changes

Livelier and more active streetscapes

Support and promote the city's caf culture by doubling the

Improve the quality of furniture in outdoor cafes, including

Maintain and expand areas of good quality, interactive ground

Discourage through traffic by introducing traffic calming measures.

places for people 2004

Key findings 2004

Strengthen street activity by physical changes (con'd)

Livelier and more active streetscapes (con'd)

Widen footpaths and convert centre-of-road parking into safer,

Introduce more street trees.

Introduce quieter trams.

Encourage more people to use the city

More people taking advantage of the 24-hour city

Encourage more people into public spaces, especially in the

Increase the number of festivals and events, including a program

Create street markets.

Introduce housing to offer low to medium cost options as well as

places for people 2004 

places for people 2004

public spaces & public life

places for people 2004 

In 2004 Professor Gehl and GEHL Architects were invited

1994: Places for People

Places for People 2004

places for people 2004

places for people 2004

places for people 2004

places for people 2004

places for people 2004