Sustainable Urban Development

Abstract

Due to Melbourne's ongoing growth, there is continuous pressure on its transportation infrastructure. Further, to maintain its position as one of the most livable cities in the world, Melbourne needs to always look at ways to optimize technology and lifestyle while being conscious of its effects on the environment in order to encourage a sustainable development agenda. Such a stance is part of Melbourne's future sustainable urban development strategy including ‘Melbourne 2017-2050.' As a part of such strategy, this article discusses the possibility of underground urban structures (UUS) to further alleviate Melbourne's continuous urban development problems. Four case studies, Lujiazui, Hongqiao, Montreal, and Helsinki, were studied. These four case studies have some comparability with Melbourne's CBD. Particularly, both Montreal and Helsinki have relevance to Melbourne which is appealing. Predominantly, these two cities' main objective of UUS matches that of Melbourne's long-term urban planning goals. Noticeably, improving the livability along with reducing building operational costs are central to Melbourne's 2017-2050 planning and beyond. According to Melbourne 2017-2050, as a sustainable urban development focus, the city's high livability needs to be maintained together with finding alternative ways to reducing building operational costs. This research would thus serve as a springboard to further investigate the UUS for Melbourne city.