Day 1 Summary: Bitter Sweet

Urban realities launched today with a brief presentation at the stunning headquarters of VicUrban from a team of energetic, enthusiastic and engaged women from both the Melbourne City Council and Vic Urban. The presentation was a brief overview of the physical, social, economical and political history of the site from its early life as an aboriginal hunting ground, it's booming 50's, its bust 70's (and subsequent illegal rave life in the 80's) through to the most recent redevelopment and future ambitions.

The current ills of the site- it's lack of diversity in use, inconsistent urban materiality, impersonal scale and lack of public ownership- are due to the campus style subdivision and development of land that was necessary to ensure the investment injection. The next phase of development will focus on connecting the silos and in doing so ensuring that the wider community, that the development has the potential to attract, gets a say. This will be supported by the release of a Gehl architects public life report and recommendations later in the year and of course the short term stimulus of an event such as Urban Realities.

I think if there is anything that we have learnt from the VicUrban presentation it is the importance of collaboration in facilitating positive urban transformation. Collaboration enables the exchange and progression of ideas, enables an efficient use of resources, restricts personal agendas and ensures a more cohesive yet diverse outcome. The only way the site will be able to develop cohesively at all stages is through collaboration, including the development of ideas in Urban Realities.

Throughout the day we have all been exploring the site as individuals, in our teams and also just informally meeting and chatting with individuals from all teams. I hope that, even as the competition develops, we might be able to keep this exchange between the teams continuing for the benefit of whole precinct. I am not suggesting that we forego the competition but rather that we keep up an open exchange of ideas between the teams, and with the public, to ensure the diverse yet cohesive outcome that is needed to successfully realise the full potential of the site.

To kickstart this exchange I have included some images below taken this afternoon when myself and members from team 2 and 10 were exploring the site. During the VicUrban presentation it is noted that there is not an element of surprise at the site, but we were certainly surprised when the clouds parted revealing a setting sun and a stunning experience at the site. It would be great if our installations could in a way provide a new perspective of Docklands, one as surprising as this, which may be as simple as ensuring that people are at the site not just when they have to be there for work but also when it is at its best. Do yourself a favour and make sure you check out sunset at Docklands as it is far more stunning than my iPhone could ever capture!