Public arts program ‘Reflective Lane’ wins contest for ideas to rejuvenate Melbourne CBD corner

MELBOURNE is famous for its laneways, but a corner of the CBD is in need of rejuvenation, with a public arts concept winning a contest to find innovative ideas.

A PUBLIC arts program ­focused on laneways has been proposed to rejuvenate a ­corner of Melbourne’s CBD.

Called Reflective Lane, the concept won an innovative ideas contest by the Urban Land Institute to liven up the area bound by La Trobe, William, Bourke and Spencer streets.

Winners were members of developer Mirvac’s design team Bohan Jones, HJ Yoon, Will Cai and Linda Lin.

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An image from winning design team Reflective Lane.

The institute’s Australian executive director and jury chair David McCracken said the submission stood out for its potential to affect an area, which currently lacks activity and excitement, through new experiences.

“It shows a singular cultural and creative approach to changing the perception of this area,” he said.

“The concept of Reflective Lane would uplift the community and create value to the urban fabric, highlighting the positive impact of arts and culture on cities and precincts.”

Melbourne’s famous street art precinct Hosier Lane.

The institute’s Urban Innovation Ideas Competition ­received 42 entries, with the members of Reflective Lane receiving $2000 and a trip to Shanghai to present their idea at a 2019 conference.

Meanwhile, city lobby group the Committee for Melbourne has called for more medium density development in the suburbs that retain the “city’s soul while accommodating major growth”.

In a revision of its 2010 report, Melbourne Beyond 5 Million, the committee states: “Marvellous Melbourne was at a tipping point, potentially threatening our prosperity and liveability.”

It called for sustained investment in infrastructure, with bipartisan commitment to a 10-year program based on Infrastructure Victoria recommendations.

“(We need to) create a meaningful polycentric city, with Melbourne as the global centre of excellence in liveable density,” states the revised report.

Committee for Melbourne chief executive Martine Letts.

The committee said that optimal use of the spare capacity in existing roads, energy and public transport assets could be done through time-of-use charging.

The organisation’s chief executive, Martine Letts, called for a Greater Melbourne Commission to co-ordinate planning across the city, and the development of a 50-year public transport plan.

“Melburnians have a unique opportunity to shape the city’s future by pressing government to take a ‘One Melbourne’ approach to future-proof our city,” she said.

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@JMasanauskas