A city for people welcomes all. It is accessible, inclusive, safe and engaging and promotes health and wellbeing, participation and social justice. A city for people has political, religious and intellectual freedom that nurtures a rich and dynamic culture. It respects, celebrates, and embraces human diversity. People of all ages and abilities feel secure and empowered in a city for people. Streets, buildings and open spaces are alive with people.
Future Melbourne 2008

In 2015, Melbourne was ranked the world’s most liveable city for the fifth consecutive year by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The EIU’s Global Liveability Index ranks 140 cities and in 2015 Melbourne received a score of 100 in healthcare, education and infrastructure, culture, environment and sport. No other city has ranked as the most liveable city for as many consecutive years as Melbourne since the rankings were first published in 2002.

In 2000, Melbourne became the first capital city in the southern hemisphere to be recognised as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre on Community Safety Promotion. Melbourne is the only Australian capital city to be a member of this wide-reaching network of almost 300 members from 30 different countries. This status was redesignated in 2006 and 2014.

In 2008, the City of Melbourne published Melbourne’s Policy for the 24 Hour City. In recognising the need to challenge the existing behaviours and culture that can impact safety in the city, especially at night, the strategy for a Safer City and Melbourne’s Policy for the 24 Hour City were merged into a single strategic plan, Beyond the Safe City 2014–17.

The City of Melbourne plays an important role in making sure our city remains a great place for people from all walks of life, whether they come to live, enjoy, work or study, and whether they intend to stay long term or just a short while. We plan and design for our growing city, including safe, healthy and high-quality public spaces.

Melbourne is living up to its reputation as a great place to work, visit, socialise and reside. From 2008 to 2014, there was a 16.2 per cent growth in the daily population using the city. It is expected this growth will continue as long as our planning and long-term thinking to accommodate an average daily population of more than 1 million people expected by 2030 keeps pace. On average, residents are mostly (about 77 per cent) happy / satisfied with their quality of life.

There is an opportunity for the City of Melbourne to engage with the Australian Government and specifically with its Cities and the Built Environment portfolio. The definition of a productive, sustainable and liveable city must be agreed across all levels of government. New ways of communicating and collaborating across government also need to be explored.

The municipality’s growing population with a significant proportion of ageing people presents significant policy challenges for all levels of government.

Comprehensive and collaborating planning is vital for maintaining the living and quality of life in Melbourne.

Read more about this goal in the Future Melbourne 2008 Report: