Urban Choreography: Central Melbourne, 1985-

Product Description

Despite a very substantial architecture and urban heritage, Melbourne in the mid 1980s was experiencing a flight to the suburbs and becoming a rather dull city that closed on evenings and weekends. While many challenges remain, the incremental transformation of central Melbourne is now a global success story that needs to be better studied.

This is not one story but many- the design of new architecture and public space reclaimed from cars and rail yards; from turning its back on the water, Melbourne has integrated the river and become a waterfront city. It has grown greener-literally, environmentally and politically. Laneways that were once filled with garbage are now filled with 'hidden' bars, artworks, housing and urban art.
Urban Choreography will document and discuss the many urban design transformations over this period with a focus on key events, plans, projects, places and people involved and seeks to understand the political and other forces that drove, framed and constrained these changes.Despite a very substantial architecture and urban heritage, Melbourne in the mid 1980s was experiencing a flight to the suburbs and becoming a rather dull city that closed on evenings and weekends. While many challenges remain, the incremental transformation of central Melbourne is now a global success story that needs to be better studied.

This is not one story but many- the design of new architecture and public space reclaimed from cars and rail yards; from turning its back on the water, Melbourne has integrated the river and become a waterfront city. It has grown greener-literally, environmentally and politically. Laneways that were once filled with garbage are now filled with 'hidden' bars, artworks, housing and urban art.
Urban Choreography will document and discuss the many urban design transformations over this period with a focus on key events, plans, projects, places and people involved and seeks to understand the political and other forces that drove, framed and constrained these changes.
Kim Dovey (Author)
Kim Dovey is Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Melbourne where he is former Head of Architecture and of Urban Design. He has published and broadcast widely on social issues in architecture, urban design and planning.

Rob Adams (Author)
Rob Adams is Director of City Design and Projects at the City of Melbourne, where he has led urban design strategy and innovation since 1983. He is Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne and author of Transforming Australian Cities and The Eco-Edge.

Ron Jones (Author)
Ron Jones is a landscape architect and urban designer who has played a leading role in developing Melbourne's urban design strategy, park master plans, and designing several major projects. He is director of the award-winning firm Jones and Whitehead, and Adjunct Professor of Landscape Architecture at RMIT University.