Will – Golf Designer, 30s, Fairfield VIC
T9: What do you think of Docklands?
Will: Only been there once, I wasn’t able to appreciate the recent development as the weather was poor… Haven’t been back since as there is no real attraction to visit or maybe it isn’t publicised enough
Gemma – Landscape Architect, 20s, Ivanhoe VIC
T9: Do you go to docklands much?
Gemma: Little bit, everything you need is in the city already, there is not much reason to go.
T9: Yes, where is the incentive for people?
Gemma: Something unique, like the big ferris wheel, but it didn’t do a good job at attracting people.”
T9: So, would you live there?
Gemma: No, it’s like a ghost town.
T9: Come on, something positive?
Gemma: It is good that they are doing something about the area! More thoughts need to go into the development.
Akihito – Landscape Architect, 20s, VIC
Aki: 特に気に入っていると言うまちではない。I don’t have any special attachment to Docklands”, “政府からのファンド等小さな店を沢山入れるように勧める。Push small retail to open shops, for example. Government should fund small businesses as a start…
Ian - Contract administrator, 50s, Mount Dandenong, VIC
T9: Tell me your opinion on docklands?
Ian: I applauded the move, but the site lacks cohesion and balance of space.
T9: How can we improve it?
Ian: Start knocking down the buildings, haha... no I think the space between the building are to close together and too high. It needs to be more vibrant! It’s all about critical mass, you can go down there and shot a gun and not hit anybody
T9: Haha, it is quite empty when there is no activity at the stadium
Ian: Exactly, its like a cork in the middle, and you got to ask you self why you are going there? Given the arrangement of the site it would have always been a challenge to develop a strong cohesive feel across the whole of the site, this has been exacerbated by the use of different developers (and consequently planners and architects).
While some may feel the stadium is a focal point for the area however for me it acts as a plug which impacts on the physical and visual flow through the area.
I cannot comment on the residential area (although I do like a few of the buildings) as I have not been there for some considerable time however I am prepared to comment on the northern sector which contains the icehouse, Ferris wheel etcetera. Again this area lacks character. There is not a lot in the architecture to excite me, the access feels constricted and the buildings overpowering and the ground plane loses its way in the pedestrian carriage ways.
Finally I feel they face a disconnect with the city. Part of it is a result of the train lines and roadways that transect the area and the other is the pedestrian access from the city centre to the docklands area (tram access is OK if not well advertised). Finally you have to have a reason to go there and unless you live there I cannot see why you would leave the CBD to travel there and that is the crux of it in my mind. The area has got to offer some thing more or something different or most likely something of both. What has it got (actually or potentially) that the CBD and other areas do not??? How do you develop/bring that out (promoting it is for others)?
Victor - 23, Melbourne, VIC
T9: What do you think about Docklands?
Victor: The place is cold and windy. Buildings are too big, however, it has a really interesting plan, with the end of the Victoria harbor precinct physically connected by the column of the Bridge. That is a really interesting connection. First of all, I don’t go to clubs or shop or even watch AFL, so the main activities in Dockland do not attract people like me to visit.
T9: Why do you think docklands is the way it is?
Victor: The place is not rich in culture or activities. Since it is a new place, a unique or a very strong attractor is required to pull the people into the city. It's the star Architecture which will eventually follow by a series of developments like the Bilbao effects. However, Bilbao effect does not sustain the place for a long time. A rich and diverse city has to be nurtured. I guess the place was developed too fast, too focused on the plan. There needs to be a reflective process after a each phase of development.
T9: What kind of activities, in your opinion, would activate the use of public space in docklands?
Victor: I think more communal interaction is important. A sense of belonging for the people of Docklands who are going to be more passionate about development instead of a 'foreign' developers and external 'intelligence'. I think any new activities will be a plus point to Docklands. I'm not sure what activity will be effective to revitalise the place instantly, but i would say it has to be something that the city doesn't have or never have. I would suggest to look at docklands as the entire area...the Toll Road, Footscray Road, Wurundjeri Way, Lorimer Street. The point is to see the water as a future habitable space to generate new and funky activities.
Macus - 22, SCIARC, California
T9: What do you think about docklands?
Macus: Beautiful, and a bit classy. It has nice views, and large open spaces.
T9: Why do you think docklands is the way it is?
Macus: It has the river next to it. And a stadium as the main event stage.
T9: What kind of activities, in your opinion, would activate the use of public space in docklands?
Macus: Flying kites, nursery for plants, dating hotspots, live tv shows (like cooking)? Yoga classes?
Justin - 23, Deakin University, Box Hill, VIC
T9: What do you think about Docklands?
Justin: Expensive? Luxurious?
T9: So you don't like spending time there?
Justin: Well, I do but if you ask my opinion, I'd say those 2 adjectives.
T9: What kind of activities do you think will attract you to spend time there?
Justin: Not quite sure what we can do now in the winter though, windy and cold. Food will definitely bring me there, cultural related festivals, food stalls.
Sean – Student, Master of Architecture Melbourne University
T9: What do you think about Dockland as a place to stay?
Sean: As a university student, I feel that is not such a pleasant place to stay due to the lack of the amenities the city has mainly the entertainment outlets, cafes and bars.
T9: Any thoughts about the open and public spaces in Docklands?
Sean: Public open spaces in docklands are in abundance but I feel that they lack integration with the overall built form of docklands. Whenever I’m there over the weekends, most of the areas around docklands with the exception of the harbor town precinct feels dead making the open spaces feel desolate.
T9: How do you see Docklands in 5 years time?
Sean: Unless further improvements are done to make the streets and open spaces more lively, that is with more cafes, bars and entertainment, it will remain as it is.
T9: Name one aspects of Docklands you think needs improvement.
Sean: More diversed programs to encourage people to visit the area.
Serena - Accountant
T9: What do you think about Dockland as a place to stay?
Serena: Very expensive! The cost of accommodation and daily expenses are relatively high compared to surrounding suburbs. So not a lot people I guess could afford to stay there.
T9: Any thoughts about the open and public spaces in Docklands?
Serena: More open spaces compared to the CBD based on the area ration. But there aren’t any larger parks around, mostly small green open spaces scattered around. And to be honest, not really useful. There aren’t enough trees within those small ‘parks’. It doesn’t attract me as a place to hang around or jog.
T9: How do you see Docklands in 5 years time?
Serena: I guess when the residential and commercial projects complete within the next few years, maybe it will be more lively.
T9: Name one aspects of Docklands you think needs improvement.
Serena: More trams. It is quite hard to get around in Docklands, especially from one end to the other.
Praveen - Student, Business Economics and Finance
T9: What do you think about Dockland as a place to stay?
Praveen: Since it is located right next to the CBD, not as quiet as the suburbs and not as crowded as the CBD, I would love to stay there. Also, I study in RMIT city campus, so it takes around 10 minutes to travel between my apartment and university.
T9: Any thoughts about the open and public spaces in Docklands?
Praveen: I don’t really have much comment about that since I hardly use open and public spaces. One thing I notice is it gets really dark at night, there are lack of street lights.
T9: How do you see Docklands in 5 years time?
Praveen: When they are done with the constructions then I think the whole area would be livelier. But they definitely have to develop the Victoria Harbor area. Seems pretty dead when compared Harbor Town.
T9: Name one aspects of Docklands you think needs improvement.
Praveen: I think they should increase the frequency of trams travelling between the CBD and Docklands.
