Goals
Question 3a. The goals that will have the greatest impact on the city
Survey respondents were asked: Of the six main Future Melbourne goals, select three that you think are most important to continue to focus on.
Choose from the list below: A city for people; A creative city; A prosperous city; A knowledge city; A connected city; An eco-city
The question was answered by 356 survey respondents. Note that respondents were asked to choose three goals, so the total answers add to significantly more than 100%. These were the proportions that were selected: A city for people (69%), A creative city (57%), A prosperous city (17%); A knowledge city (31%); A connected city (41%); An eco-city (63%)
The discussion that follows presents the explanations that participants gave for their choice.
Question 3b. Why people chose particular Goals
The answers to the question are organised under the relevant Goals that respondents discussed. These are presented below.
A City for People
Summary
This Goal was chosen by people who felt that the priority of the plan should be to provide for people, and that it is people who make a city, and that without them there is no city. Supporting diverse groups and inclusion was also considered an important part of the goal. Many participants responded with answers about connectedness in relation to connecting people and building a community. Note that these related to the importance of A City for People goal rather than transportation connections, which “A Connected City” encapsulates.
People who completed the Future Melbourne 2026 survey were asked which Goals are most important and why. These are their comments pertaining to A City for People.
Focus should be on people, as they are what make a city
A large number of people chose this goal as important because people need to be the focus of the city, in many ways. The reasons provided were that people must be the priority of the city, people’s needs should be put first and that when people are put first the other requirements of a city will emerge. Several participants responded that there should be a focus on connecting people.
A large number of people responded that it is important that Melbourne is a place for people. Two thirds of these responses related to the city needing to be liveable, vibrant and ‘living’. Some of these people answered that it needs to be a place where people are happy and enjoy living and a few responded that the urban density and affordability of housing is important to consider.
Diversity and inclusion
Many people answered that the city for people goal is important because a culturally diverse and inclusive city should be a priority. Several of these comments related specifically to the need to support cultural diversity, while several related to the need to be inclusive and welcoming in order to attract new people to the city. Several answers suggested that encouraging a mix of people and stages of life is important. A couple of participants stated that support for disadvantaged people is important.
Connection
In the 2008 plan the ‘A Connected City’ goal related to transport issues and movement around the city. However, in answering this question a large number of people responded with statements not related to transportation but more focused on human connections. These comments sit better within the ‘A City for People’ goal, and so they are discussed here.
Many participants responded that it is important to build community connections, mostly as this leads to people being supported, understanding each other and leads to a better city. Several people thought that if people in the city are well-connected there will be creativity.
A few people answered that a connected city enables learning and the sharing of knowledge through innovation and collaboration. Some participants responded with statements identifying that digital technology is an important part of a city plays a role in connecting people. Some people also responded that global connections are important for Melbourne.
Other responses
Other statements as to why the ‘City for People’ goal is important were the need for quality buildings and urban design, the need to attract tourists, consideration of a “We live here” slogan, need to focus on getting smaller rather than bigger, and the need to make the city less stressful.
A Creative City
Summary
This goal was chosen due to the reputation that Melbourne already has in relation to arts and being a cultural capital. People expressed a desire to continue this due to benefits they consider that the arts deliver to the city. The need for increased support for the arts was another reason why the creative city goal was considered important.
Melbourne is a cultural capital
A large number of people responded that this goal is important as Melbourne is already seen and known for being a city of art and a cultural capital. Most of these people answered that this reputation should be continued or strengthened.
Many people stated that creativity is an essential or foundational aspect of the city. Reasons these people gave for this included that it defines our individuality, breaks barriers or builds community and gives the city a heart.
Benefits of a creative city
A large number of participants answered that this goal is important because there are benefits to being a creative city. Around two thirds of the reason why a creative city is beneficial were related to how creativity leads to innovation and more opportunities, provides for learning and new ways of addressing problems.
Other benefits stated were; several people said that it attracts more people and makes the city more liveable, a few related to creativity building culture and a couple said that it leads to prosperity. A couple of people stated that a creative city will lead to the other goals being met.
Support for creativity needed
Many people responded that the creative city goal is important because arts and culture need further support or nurturing. Initiatives that people stated need support were workspaces for artists, independent artists, unique cultural spaces, smaller galleries, local films and theatre.
Other reasons provided why A Creative City is an important goal were: people are inherently creative, the need to reconnect with heritage sites and buildings, the need for choices to enable creativity, the connection between art and sustainability and that creativity is fun.
A Prosperous City
Summary
This Goal was chosen due to the benefits A Prosperous City brings, along with identification of the actions needed for this goal to be realised.
Benefits of a prosperous city
Several participants responded that this Goal is important because it leads to benefits in other areas. Benefits that were stated are that a prosperous city will enable connection, cause economic growth and result in high living standards, enable other goals to be achieved, create happy citizens and develop infrastructure.
Priorities that will lead to a prosperous city
Several people responded in relation to aspects of the other Melbourne 2008 goals, stating that the achievement of these will lead to a prosperous city. The aspects that people think will lead to a prosperous city were having a sustainable city, making long-term decisions, focusing on becoming knowledgeable, providing better transport and providing for people’s well-being.
Other responses
Several people responded that it is important that there are enough jobs, that businesses are encouraged to invest and that there are no shortages of workers in some industries.
Other reasons stating why this goal is important were that Melbourne was once one of the world’s wealthiest cities and that that should be strived for again; a city that isn’t prosperous fails the people and that without the goal of prosperity little will be achieved.
A few comments indicated that this goal is not important, or more specifically that economic prosperity isn’t important. They made the point that the city could be rich and not achieve the other goals; and this would not be a good outcome.
A Knowledge City
Summary
This goal was chosen as being important due to the benefits that people see in a city with educated people, predominantly around innovation and opportunities that educated people can bring. Responses also identified the need to provide for the continual development of knowledge and indicated that the education sector is an existing Melbourne strength that should be continued.
Benefit of a knowledge city
Many people responded that this goal is important as there are many benefits from being a knowledge city. Several of these responses believed knowledge leads to innovation, opportunities and enabling people to respond to challenges that the city will face. Several answers related to the benefits of developing knowledge based industries and resulting benefits in economic prosperity. Other benefits stated were that knowledge is power and enables influence.
Need to develop knowledge
Many participants responded that it is important for the city and people within the city to develop knowledge. In relation to this were answers that suggested that education is key, that educational institutions such as universities should be valued and supported. Other statements related to education were that it enables people to reach their full potential, and that space should be available for learning.
Several people answered in relation to the importance of knowledge in a city. Those that gave reasons for this responded that it is key to everything, vital to sustainability, critical to maintaining an inspired community and that it helps a city grow.
Education a strength of Melbourne
Several people responded in relation to existing knowledge and educational aspects of Melbourne being well known and a prevailing strength of the city. These responses included references to Melbourne being a university town, and that because of this it will continue to attract students and others to the city.
Other responses
A few comments related to the increasing role technology plays (in particular the internet), in supporting the development of knowledge; and the need for this to be incorporated into the city. A few people responded with answers relating to the role of sharing knowledge and connections with people that have diverse ideas.
Other reasons that people gave for ‘A knowledge City’ being important were that they like learning things, the need to make sure decisions are grounded in fact, and that the move to a knowledge economy must be supported.
An Eco-City
Summary
This goal was chosen as important because sustainability is an essential element of the city, particularly in relation to its long-term future. People highlighted the importance of clean and green spaces in the city to them and that Melbourne should be seen as taking a lead on sustainability issues.
A sustainable city is essential
A large number of people responded that this Goal is important because the sustainability of a city is essential and must be a top priority. The most common reasons for people stating that an eco or sustainable city is essential were that sustainability is key to everything and therefore an obvious ‘no brainer’ requirement, the city needs to reduce its ecological impact and use less resources, the city has a long way to go and must try harder to be sustainable, and that eco-city issues are becoming more important.
In relation to the importance of an eco or sustainable city, a large number of participants responded that this goal is important for the future of Melbourne — and that by not prioritising sustainability it risks the long term liveability of the city. These responses considered the long-term outcome of why the eco city goal is important, for example,
unless we develop in a environmentally friendly manner, we will be a city of the past, not the future.
Some people answered that the eco-city goal is important, as a well-functioning environment is better for people’s wellbeing and quality of life.
Need clean and green city spaces
A large number of participants responded that the Eco-City Goal is important because it will lead to improvements in the city’s landscape. Several people answered that they would like to see more green spaces, natural features, and trees in the city and that this would enable people to connect with nature. A few people also stated that this goal is important in improving the quality of the city’s environment in terms of clearer air and less pollution. A few people responded that an eco-city would enable people to move around more.
Melbourne to take the lead on sustainability
Many people responded that this Goal is important as they would like to see Melbourne be a leader in sustainability and act as a model for other cities. A few people commented that Melbourne is already doing well in terms of being an eco-city and that it should continue to lead the way in terms of sustainable infrastructure.
In relation to taking the lead, many people also commented that it is important for Melbourne to take actions to address climate change issues. These responses related to the need to adapt to climate conditions, the need to take climate change seriously, that more needs to be done to be carbon-neutral and build resilience and that the impacts of climate change will impact more if the eco-system is not protected now.
Benefits of an eco-city
Many participants answered that the Eco-City Goal is important as there are benefits to a sustainable city. Benefits that people stated were improved long-term outcomes that will lead to the achievement of other goals, such as a prosperous city and being more creative; it will bring peace to the city as people can live harmoniously.
Other responses
Some people answered that this goal is important as all people should be considering sustainability and striving for it together; that we should all care about the role we play. A few participants stated that alternatives and other options need to be considered, in particular alternative sources of energy and cleaner power. Some responses related to the need to improve the urban design of the city, to minimise the impact on energy/resources needed, and to encourage eco-sustainable buildings that are visually appealing.
Other responses were that population growth is too fast, property developers have hijacked planning decisions, eco-city is just jargon, and that the goal is important but unachievable in the short term.
A Connected City
Summary
This goal was chosen as being important because of the benefits for the city of being connected, and it being easy for people to move around. People responded that an important part of the Connected City goal is the provision of good public transport systems. A large number of people who answered this question didn’t refer to transport, but instead discussed personal human connections. These comments have been discussed under A City for People.
Benefits of connectedness
Many responses indicated that this goal is important because of the benefits it will bring. The benefits described were that a more connected city will lead to improvements in sustainability through greener movements of people and use of resources. Some responded that better connections will make the city run better or find improved ways of operating, and others responded that it would lead to achieving the other goals, such as A Prosperous City.
Need for good public transport
Many people responded that this goal is important due to the need for the city to be well-serviced by an accessible public transport system. More specific comments related to the connection of public transport to outer suburbs, the need for 24-hour public transport, specific transport connections (rail, east-west tunnel), resulting improvements in productivity, and one person responded that the current system is doing well.
Other responses
Several people answered that the connected city goal is important as it will enable people to get around the city easier. Some people responded that it is important for there to be less cars in the city, and that the dependency on cars should be reduced to enable more space in the city for other uses. A few people gave answers in relation to the CBD, in particular the need to reduce congestion in the CBD and improve connectivity through the CBD, so that it functions well and people want to visit it.
A couple of people responded in relation to connection issues at Docklands, that these should be improved; and the lessons learnt from mistakes there should be incorporated into developments at Fishermans Bend.
Other responses on why the Connected City goal is important were as follows: that connection is important as Melbourne has become more spread out, the need to encourage people to experience different parts of the city, that trams are a good opportunity but are currently overloaded, and the need to encourage transport to use sustainable fuels.
General
Several participants responded with general answers, unrelated to the specific goals that they had selected. Their answers related to the goals being valued by them, being self-explanatory, being too hard, or that the goals will lead to good outcomes.
Interconnected responses
Around a fifth (72/356) of the responses to this question discussed how the goals that people chose as important are interconnected. Where these connections were relevant to specific goals the relationship between the goals have been discussed in each goal sections of this report. However, most of the responses describing interconnections demonstrated support across each of the others. For example.
The remaining five goals all contribute to the primary goal of a city for people
I have selected a city for the people, a connected city, and a knowledge city. As a result of these three selection the remaining three selections become a reality with the right guidance. With a connected city for the people and with the appropriate knowledge we can become eco-friendly, prosperous and creative.
Creative and prosperous cities designed for people can achieve anything else. The three I chose are fundamental to the others.