Melbourne is well suited to urban sprawl, thanks to its flat land and lack of geographic boundaries. However, the city can improve its economy, sustainability, and liveability by increasing medium density housing.

This article explores Melbourne’s dramatic vertical expansion through the lens of heterodox political economy and critical geography. It identifies how financial and property interests, foreign investment, and cultural profiling shape residential high-rise development.

Green Building Movement

The construction industry has been undergoing a major transformation thanks to the rise of green building. This trend focuses on creating structures that are environmentally responsible throughout their lifespan and promote human well-being. Green buildings reduce their carbon footprints, elevate energy efficiency, and use renewable resources. This movement has also helped create healthier and more comfortable living and working environments for their occupants.

During the planning phase, green builders prioritize sustainable materials to minimize environmental impact. They also incorporate passive design techniques such as solar shading and natural ventilation to reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling systems. Additionally, they use low-flow fixtures to maximize water conservation. The Pixel Building in Melbourne is a perfect example of a green building. It uses solar panels, a rooftop garden, and recycled water to achieve a 6-star Green Star rating.

Green builders are incorporating renewable energy into their projects, including wind turbines, solar panels, and geothermal systems. This eliminates the need for fossil fuels and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, they may use a variety of water-saving technologies such as rainwater harvesting and graywater recycling.

As for site sustainability, green builders seek to preserve existing vegetation and restore habitats. They may also implement green roofs, rainwater harvesting, and stormwater management. In addition, they may utilize green walls to enhance aesthetics and reduce the urban heat island effect.

High-Rise Apartments

Compared with families in other forms of housing, those living on high-rise estates were more likely to be at a disadvantage. Most were non-English speaking and single parents, with a poor employment record. In addition, they lived in cramped apartments and had few opportunities to socialise.

However, the social and environmental problems with these estates were caused mainly by factors in their immediate environment and not by the apartments themselves. The occupants were often located far from public transport and services, and their living conditions had little interaction with other residents.

Today, well-designed high-rise apartment buildings in central urban locations provide a key element of the growth strategy for Melbourne’s city centre. If built to appropriate density and designed with good access to cultural infrastructure, public open space, shops, and services, high-rise buildings can contribute to vibrant neighbourhoods.

Mixed-Use Developments

As an alternative to high-rise developments, mixed-use buildings are becoming a popular option for residential construction. These projects combine a variety of uses in one building or in a large area, including retail, office space, housing, and cultural or community amenities. By allowing residents to live, work, and play in the same location, these buildings help reduce long commutes and environmental impact.

These types of developments offer a range of benefits for property investors, including a more diverse tenant market and increased asset value. However, they also come with their own unique set of challenges. To overcome these obstacles, developers need to ensure that they have the right mix of tenants. To achieve this, they must select a promising location with high growth potential. This could include areas that have high employment rates, a growing population, new city development projects, or popular businesses moving to the area.

A focus on medium-density housing could be an effective way to address the challenge of affordability in Melbourne. By providing more options for people to find a home that fits their budget and lifestyle, the city can better cater to its growing population. To accomplish this, the city should increase density along transit corridors, while also focusing on precinct development around activity centres and on greenfield sites. This would promote a more compact urban environment, reduce car dependency, and help the city grow sustainably.

Urban Renewal

A growing number of Melbourne residents oppose the construction of apartment buildings on their streets. They view living in a freestanding house as an integral part of the Australian way of life and are reluctant to give up this right. This resistance is often based on the false assumption that there are not enough homes being built to meet demand, a myth perpetuated by housing and development industry lobby groups in their own interests.

The urban renewal strategy that is currently being rolled out across parts of inner and middle Melbourne ignores this reality. It focuses on building more housing in areas of the city that have been zoned for industrial and commercial use but deemed unsuitable for high-rise apartments. This is a recipe for creating another generation of sprawling, car-dependent suburbs that will not solve the problem of housing affordability.

Instead of relying on simple supply and demand economics, the urban renewal strategy should include measures to encourage employment growth in areas that are close to residential development. It should also provide affordable housing in established suburbs with public transport access.

A key component of urban renewal is to promote the use of green building techniques in new construction and renovations. These strategies have the potential to reduce energy use, water, and carbon emissions, as well as improve air quality. They can also help reduce the cost of development and increase the supply of new homes. This is especially important if the city’s population continues to grow, as it will likely overtake Sydney by 2046.

As Melbourne grapples with the challenges of accommodating its growing population while maintaining its livability and sustainability, embracing innovative construction strategies becomes paramount. BP Building Concepts, alongside other stakeholders, can play a crucial role in reshaping the city’s urban landscape. By prioritising medium-density housing along transit corridors, fostering mixed-use developments, and integrating green building techniques into urban renewal projects, Melbourne can forge a path towards a more equitable, vibrant, and environmentally conscious future. Through collaborative efforts and thoughtful planning, the city can ensure that its growth not only meets the needs of its residents but also preserves the unique character that makes Melbourne a truly special place to call home.