The Melbourne laneways provide useful learnings on the opportunity of forgotten spaces, and the use of robust and simple layout, specification and detailing to create flexible and adaptable spaces that support local businesses.
The rediscovery and reinvention of Melbourne’s laneways as a vibrant pedestrian network has breathed life in to the heart of Melbourne. They provide an inspiration for Auckland’s own city centre pedestrian street network, identifying how it could grow, accepting key differences between the two cities’ built environments.
A key attribute of the Melbourne laneways is that they are a collective. The laneways divide up the densely developed blocks within Melbourne’s centre, providing some permeability. They provide a finer grain to Melbourne City, and cater primarily to pedestrians.
Auckland’s central city urban fabric is very different to Melbourne’s, however it is still possible to learn lessons from City of Melbourne’s very successful efforts to revitalise the urban centre and the laneways.