Appreciated for their intimacy, sense of intrigue, convenience and visual charm, Melbourne’s north-south lanes weave a finer and more chaotic pattern across the city’s street grid: increasing the permeability of the CBD. Since the City of Melbourne identified the importance of these routes in its 1985 strategy plan, many of them have been upgraded with new bluestone paving, street furniture and lighting. The submitted examples are Centre Place, The Causeway, Bank Place, Hosier Lane and Tattersalls.

Jury Verdict

The celebration of the laneways of Melbourne’s CBD has contributed significantly to the revitalisation of the city. The historic treatment of Bank Place and the sophisticated elegance of café culture, new shopfronts and rejuvenated facades add another dimension to a once neglected element of the city’s environment.

The laneways were an under-appreciated asset, often high volume channels for commuters but neglected, badly lit and with paving in poor repair. However, the eccentric and narrow lanes gave an authentic and intimate flavour to a city which is best known for its wide streets and regular grid.

The council’s range of strategies has been applied according to the usage and the nature of the lanes. Some less frequently used lanes have had their lighting improved but have retained their original bluestone pavers. Others have had new paving, specially designed lighting and canopies installed. This has added immensely to the richness of the urban fabric of Melbourne. Melbourne’s City Projects Division is to be commended for their dedication and vision in implementing this rejuvenation in the heart of the city.

CBD Laneways, Melbourne
Architects and Landscape Architects Melbourne City Council City Projects design branch— Malcolm Snow, R. Jones, I Dryden, F. Harrison, P. Eggleston. Developer and Civil Engineers Melbourne City Council Engineering Services. Electrical Engineers Barry Webb & Associates. Artist Daryl Cowie.

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