Docklands, Melbourne
摘要
This chapter evaluates Docklands in Melbourne, a government-facilitated, private sector-led mixed-use megaproject aimed to attract investment and companies, particularly in the financial sector, during a period of economic decline and the rise of free-market ideology. This MMP is characterized by a laissez-faire approach to urban planning, which grants developers considerable freedom. Docklands has played a significant role in capturing the growth of knowledge-based jobs in Melbourne by accommodating modern large floor plate buildings that would have been challenging to construct in the city centre or its immediate surroundings. Docklands attracted private sector investment on a scale that is globally unprecedented, in contrast to public funding. However, the downside of minimizing government investment and planning oversight has been the missed opportunities for creating a more meaningful and attractive urban area for a rapidly growing city, capturing value for transport infrastructure, providing affordable housing, and expanding cultural facilities.