TGIF to the viewers!
For this week’s YEOW, we’d like to share with you the Laneways of
Melbourne.
This week’s YEOW posting is not a specific project, rather a collection
of projects that have been shaped since the 1850s and in turn have shaped a
city and its identity. The laneways and arcades of Melbourne, Australia have shaped
the culture and identity of the city as much as they have been shaped by the
culture and identity of the city itself. The evolution of these passageways
represents a complete place-making venture over one hundred years in the works.
Here is some quick background on their evolution to keep in mind as you check
out the photos below:
1850s – Melbourne’s
population grew 29,000 to 123,000 between 1851 and 1854 due to the discovery of
gold in the surrounding region of Victoria.
1860s – 1890s - This growth
coupled with new-found wealth placed a premium on real estate in the relatively
small urban center. High-end retailers located in shopping arcades modelled after
those popular in Europe at the time such as Burlington Arcade in London, or Passage
du Grand-Cerf in Paris. Other merchants and retailers located in the maze of
alleyways throughout the urban center.
1900s – 1940s – Following the
Gold Rush, the arcades and alleys went into a period of decline, attracting opium
dens, brothels, and crime.
1950s – 1980s – Suburban
expansion pushed remaining retailers to move to malls located nearer their core
customer base. The residential population of the urban core of Melbourne
bottomed out at 700 in the 1980s.
1990s – 2010s – Artists, and
independent businesses, began moving into the passageways in search of lower
rent. Alleyways were repaved and the City began installing lighting and street
furniture. Liquor laws were relaxed and it became affordable for small venues
to begin serving alcoholic beverages. The urban core population has grown to
over 20,000.
Present – Former shopping
arcades have been renovated and again are hosting high-end retailers. Laneways now
house cafes, galleries, and other independent retailers. Some areas of laneways
are designated for street art installations or other interactive art
exhibitions. The laneways are now one of the most visited areas of Melbourne
and their flexibility in programming allows for 24/7 activity.
The Royal Arcade
Here’s what some of our planners think:
“I like this. Reminds me so much of Hong Kong’s side streets.” – Arim Fermin
“How often do you walk down an alley/laneway and find framed art on the outside of a building? Must be an incredibly surprising experience for the pedestrian—your own private viewing of a grassroots/guerilla art gallery. I enjoy the element of interactiveness such a unique experience provides.” – Laura Baker
“I like the pedestrian scale of the shops and laneway, there is a lot of activity that helps define a vibrant streetscape including open shop fronts, seating/dining in the ROW, pedestrians including shoppers/tourists, street musicians, and no sign of any vehicles. It has the feel of a neighborhood that has had time to develop its own personality, where part of the appeal is that it is a little chaotic, disorder helps give it character. Sure, there is some ugly graffiti, but there are also examples of some pretty interesting murals/art too (not present in this photo) which make it feel like a democratic place where everyone is welcome.” – Ryan Foster
Further Reading:
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