A bold, inspirational and sustainable city

Question 1a. Achievement of the 2008 Vision: survey respondent assessment

Survey respondents were asked: In 2008 the community set the vision in Future Melbourne for: ‘A bold, inspirational and sustainable city’. To what extent do you think this vision has been realised? Not at all achieved; Achieved to a small extent; Achieved to a fair extent; Achieved to a great extent; Fully achieved).

The question was answered by 356 survey respondents.

• Sixty percent of respondents stated that the vision has been achieved to: a fair extent (43%), great extent (16%) or fully achieved (1%).
• Thirty-seven percent of respondents felt that the vision had been: achieved to a small extent (34%) or had been not at all achieved (7%). One respondent stated that they didn’t know.

The discussion that follows presents the reasons that participants provided to explain their choice. Note that the numbers provided in the discussion represent the number who answered the question in that way, the number who made comments on their answers was slightly less than this number, for each response option.

Question 1b. Answers: Reasons for Vision being achieved or not

Summary

The explanations people provided in relation to whether the vision has been achieved or not were predominantly focused on how sustainable they consider the city to be and less on whether the city is inspirational or bold.

The reasons provided for why people considered that the vision for Melbourne has not been achieved were predominantly around the structure and design of the city. In particular, the impact of an increasing population and how that impacts the type of housing and infrastructure that is needed to support the city. Intensive high-rise developments, less green space and a lack of infrastructure to support different modes of transport were key issues, and areas, where people considered more could be done.

Reasons provided in support of the vision being achieved to a fair or great extent, were mostly around the city being “liveable”, the range and number of events being held in the city, and the arts culture that has been developed in Melbourne. Throughout the responses, people gave examples of where the vision is being implemented but that further actions are needed to continue improving Melbourne, so that the vision can be more fully achieved.

The following discussion is structured, and ordered, by the response that each survey respondent gave to the question: 1.A. To what extent do you think this vision has been realised? Not at all achieved; Achieved to a small extent; Achieved to a fair extent; Achieved to a great extent; Fully achieved).

Not at all achieved respondent comments 25 answers

Sustainability

A few people gave reasons why the sustainability aspect of the vision has not been met. These related to the lack of local schools in particular areas, the poor quality of buildings that are not expected to last 100 years, lack of solar power and infrastructure that will not cope with future environmental impacts.

Bold

A couple of answers specifically stated that Melbourne is not a bold city. The reasons given for this were that decisions made are conservative and don’t look outside of the city.

Inspiration

A couple of people stated that the little change that has been made has not been inspirational, and that policy decisions in general have not been inspirational.

Other

Participants gave reasons for why they consider the vision has not been realised. The main reasons related to the increase in size of the population, problems with urban design, and issues with transport infrastructure.

Several answers stated that population growth is impacting on Melbourne’s liveability and the attainment of the 2008 Vision, due to the challenge of providing infrastructure to meet demand.

Several people were concerned with the design of the city, particularly in relation to the loss or lack of green space, the high density of inner-city living, high-rise buildings, lack of amenity and urban sprawl.

Several answers related to concerns around transport. These related to traffic congestion, problems with accessing the airport, missed opportunities to remove trucks from the city centre, and also the inefficiency of MYKI.

Further comments related to spending being the only consideration, The Mayor’s office just thinking of themselves, astronomical house prices and appalling internet infrastructure. Comments were also received about the vision not being reached because it is too vague, one participant didn’t know it existed and another stated that the plan will probably never happen.

Achieved to a small extent respondent comments 120 answers

Sustainability

Achieved:

A couple of people responded that Melbourne is a sustainable city, with one commenting that the eco-friendly trams contribute to the image of sustainability.

Not achieved:

A large number of people suggested that the sustainability aspect of the vision has not been achieved. Several answers stated this, but gave no reason for their opinion. The remaining participants who gave reasons why sustainability had not been achieved mainly focused on transport and urban design issues.

Around half the answers related to transport issues limiting the achievement of sustainability. The comments mostly related to public transport and cycling infrastructure. Many people stated that there is not enough provision of public transport, the system is in a state of disrepair, is overloaded and that more should be done to improve the system. Several people stated that cycling infrastructure has not been addressed to the extent necessary, in particular the provision of more cycleways and improvements to cycle safety.

Other comments on transport were that cycleways are too often closed for events, there is not enough provision for pedestrians, there needs to be more leadership on transport, traffic problems have only increased, speed restrictions are unnecessary, cars should be banned from the city centre, postponement of the East West link, and that there is a long way to improve the transport system - so that it is sustainable.

Urban layout and design was another reason people gave for why the sustainability aspect of the vision has not been met, mostly in relation to housing developments and the provision of public space. Many people considered housing developments, in the form of high-rises, and locating developments near the fringes of Melbourne, was not contributing to sustainability. Some answers related to an unwillingness to preserve historic buildings. Several answers related to the lack of new community and green spaces in the city and that parts of the city are ‘dingy’.

Other comments in relation to urban design related to the lack of innovation, no overall consistent development and that some form of protection (from being shaded out) should be provided to buildings that implement solar power, to avoid negative impacts on energy generation from future (high-rise) developments.

Other reasons as to why the sustainability vision was not achieved related to the overconsumption and density of the city. A few answers related to the lack of sustainable initiatives and eco-friendly alternatives, no real push on sustainability, concerns about air pollution, the ecological crisis and that there is too much to do to make the city sustainable.

Bold

Achieved

Several answers stated that although there may be more to do, Melbourne is bold — without further reasons why. One person said that it is the boldest city in Australia.

Not achieved

Many people answered that Melbourne is not bold or has not reached the bold aspect of the vision. Reasons given for this were; there are many missed opportunities, little indication of boldness, projects that have been undertaken are not considered bold, there is not enough going on, and the developments that have been built are “pretty average”.

Some answers indicated that people were unsure of how a city could be bold and that it is hard to quantify progress towards the vision.

Inspirational

Achieved

Several people’s answers indicated that Melbourne is an inspirational city, most without providing a reason. Answers that gave reasons were that there are inspiring workshops happening and that many events have been delivered that engage people.

Not Achieved

Several answers indicated that the inspirational aspect of the 2008 Vision has not been achieved or that the city has become less inspirational. Reasons given were that there are not enough opportunities, too many ugly developments, the city has been compromised by increasing density and lack of community spaces, less interesting developments and that it is harder to get around the city.

More to do

Many people suggested in their answers that there is more to do to make Melbourne sustainable, bold and inspirational. Suggestions of areas where more needs to be done were as follows: improving sustainable and renewable energy, covering more areas, supporting artists, more funding for people and projects and more green spaces.

Other

Many people gave general answers not specially linked to the sustainable, bold and inspirational aspects of the 2008 vision. Several answers related to the challenge of achieving the vision, such as not being aware of it, not enough action or follow up, the impact of outside influences and lack of funding.

A few answers related to the events held in the city, suggesting that they have helped achieve the vision but that some are not affordable or interesting. Some answers related to the challenge of providing infrastructure for the increasing population.

Further comments made related to the protection of heritage, population growth, public safety, social and cultural issues, and transport related initiatives that connect the city.

Achieved to a fair extent respondent comments 152 Answers

Sustainability

Achieved

Around half of the sustainability related answers suggest that this aspect was being achieved. Several people indicated achievement without providing a reason. And several people identified that improvements in the public transport system are helping to achieve sustainability, for example 24-hour transport on weekends and provision of cycling infrastructure. Some answers suggested that provision of green spaces and trees has improved the sustainability of the city.

Other answers around achieving sustainability related to the great events occurring, facilities provided, and projects that have been undertaken.

Not achieved

The other half of the sustainability related answers suggested that the 2008 vision had not been achieved. Several people responded that the sustainability aspect of the vision has not been achieved without providing a reason why. Other people gave reasons for this, summarised below.

Many people gave reasons relating to the transport options in the city, in particular that more public transport is needed, along with a change in focus to more pedestrian and cycle friendly areas.

Several answers suggested that the intense inner-city development, with high-rises and high-densities, are not achieving the sustainable aspect of the vision. Some people answered that sustainability was not being achieved due to the lack of focus on or use of sustainable energy supplies, such as solar power, and also the minimisation of waste. Some people responded that to meet the sustainability vision more green space and gardens are needed.

A few answers related to climate change getting worse and that there hasn’t been enough work done to deal with it. Some answers related to the quality of design and construction of buildings, such as the need for eco-buildings and improvements to affordable housing.

Other answers on why sustainability has not been achieved related to a lack of general understanding of how to live sustainably, unsustainable events, it takes too long for projects to be completed, access for all residents needed and issues with the planning system.

Bold

Achieved

Many people indicated that Melbourne is a bold city, most without providing a reason why. Reasons that were provided were the cafés, events, buildings, and the liveability of the city.

One person was concerned that as a bold city it may not be gentle or fair.

Not Achieved

Several people answered that the bold aspect of the vision for Melbourne has not been achieved. Reasons provided included that more could be done to be bold; old concepts like horse drawn carriages are not bold, that the city runs on existing energy without enough support and that activities that are happening are not unique to the city.

Inspirational

Achieved

Many people responded with answers that indicate that the inspirational aspect of the 2008 vision is being achieved. A couple of people answered that the reason for this is the creation of bold buildings and developments, and also the art, music and cultural activities in the city. Other reasons people gave were that more people are engaged and that there are inspirational events.

Not Achieved

Several answers stated that Melbourne is not inspirational or that generally more needs to be done to make Melbourne inspirational. Reasons given for this were buildings being developed that are not visually stimulating, for example, high-rise apartment blocks and poor planning decisions.

More to do

A large number of answers suggested more could or should be done to meet the vision. Many people suggested that more needs to be done but did not provide actions or examples as to what this should be. A few people specifically suggested that more needs to be done to support the arts, creative and cultural aspects of the city.

Other specific comments relating to actions where more can be done related to sustainability actions, renovation of particular buildings, improving engagement with people, focusing on street art and laneway events, more small interactions, making the city safer for women and children, marriage equality, no more homelessness, and improvements in transportation.

Other

Positive

A large number of answers indicated improvements that have occurred in Melbourne, but these were not specifically linked to the vision statement. Many people answered that the range of events (such as festivals and specifically White Night), is good and enables the city spaces to be used well. Several answers indicated that the culture of the city and the cultural experiences provided help achieve the vision. Some answers indicated that progress in urban design, the use of spaces and the tram network are for the better. A few people also answered that the 24-hour nature of the city is appreciated in terms of safety and that provision of green spaces is good.

Other reasons for positive answers were development of infrastructure, changes for the better, general success in reaching the vision, a city with fantastic ideas, being the most liveable city, decisions to protect historic buildings and that Melbourne is an exciting place to live.

Negative

Several answers (that were not specifically focused on the 2008 vision) indicated general negativity. Individual responses indicated that this was due to lack of support for making Melbourne a leading city, trying to be all things to all people, lack of CBD amenities, resistance to medium density housing in suburban areas, slow pace of meeting people’s needs, the city is tired and dirty, the city has started to fall behind due to politics and that not much has changed.

Unsure

Several answers indicated that people were not sure or didn’t know how to answer the question. Reasons given for this were that they couldn’t make comparisons due to not knowing the 2008 plan, they didn’t have enough information, or thought the vision was just “marketing language”.

Achieved to a great extent respondent comments 56 Answers

Sustainability

Achieved

Several answers indicated that the sustainability aspect of the vision is being achieved. Reasons provided were: green spaces, sustainable infrastructure, increasing residential population, 24 hour economy, waste management initiatives, design guidelines and transport improvements.

Not Achieved

A few people answered that although the city is sustainable at some level, it could be more, at least environmentally and particularly at the fringes of the city.

Bold and inspirational

Achieved

Some people answered that Melbourne is bold and inspirational, with a couple of people giving the reason for this as the support given to create a vibrant arts scene.

Not Achieved

One person answered that bold is not a word that they would use to describe Melbourne and another stated that they were unsure whether it is inspirational.

Other

Positive

A large number of people gave answers not specifically related to the 2008 vision, but were positive in relation to the development of the city. Many of these answers were positive regarding the culture and art scene in Melbourne, that the city is vibrant, has creative confidence, is recognised as a centre for art and that historical venues are protected.

In answering the question, several people specifically referenced that Melbourne has been voted as the most liveable city in the world for a number of years. Several people answered that the city has generally come a long way, is making great improvements and achieving goals. The events and variety of entertainment provided in the city were also reasons several people gave why the vision has been achieved to a great extent.

Other reasons people gave for the achievement of the vision were walkability, the night-time economy, the focus on education, promotion and provision of public transport, affordability, the city as an example of responsible development through minimising potential negative impacts of growth and the vision being realised and actioned in planning documents.

Negative

Several people gave answers relating to how the general vision for the city has not been achieved. Reasons given related to the need to address housing costs and youth unemployment, poor quality of medium-high density housing development, the lack of action on transport and major infrastructure and the need for more support of the arts and city events.

Fully achieved respondent comments 2 Answers

One person answered that the vision has been fully achieved, the reason given was that “while other cities are going backwards, Melbourne is inspiring not just change but maintaining its history as a bold music city.” The second person who provided this answer didn’t provide a reason for their opinion