Mayoral candidate Cr Jamal Hakim has launched his team's plan to revitalize Melbourne's CBD through a series of policies to boost Melbourne's creative sector and “tactical” greening initiatives.
Office vacancy rates in the CBD are currently at their highest level since the 1990s recession, and it was during the last “deep economic downturn” that the then-council responded with an “adventurous approach”, Cr. Hakim said.
Ahead of October's Melbourne city election, Cr Hakim said it was “time for a future postcode 3000”, drawing similar lessons from the “ambitious postcode 3000 strategy” of the 1990s.
Led by Professor Rob Adams, the city's former head of urban design, the original Postcode 3000 policy aimed to revitalize the city through a range of incentives for landlords and developers, subsidized tenants for artists, and the revival of alleys. contributed to.
Cr Hakim claimed Team Hakim offered a similar set of incentives to encourage creative and community occupiers in office buildings, following the Nicholas Building model, which has been in jeopardy since the recent sale. He stated that he aims to replicate the .
He added that rising rents are forcing community and care economy organizations out of the CBD, even as the city's social needs continue to grow.
“Melbourne is at risk of losing its status as an arts capital. Our city cannot afford to see creative not-for-profit organizations sacrifice the communities they exist to serve. No,” Cr Hakim said.
“That's why my art policy is also an urban cultural policy that will lead the nation.”
As part of his policy, Cr Hakim will revitalize vacant office space through a number of incentives, provide $2 million each year to “strengthen” the council's creative spaces program, and provide funding to support the Nicholas Building Society. promised to provide.
He also wants to double the council's contested arts funding program for local artists, provide $10 million for multicultural festivals and events, and support renovations from offices to homes “where feasible.” That's what I think.
He said the city needs artists to live and work within the city.
“We need their innovation and energy, and we also know that community services are best delivered with communities,” Cr Hakim said.
“We need their dedication and care. Local people know local business best, and Team Hakim is committed to supporting their work.”
Cr Hakim's deputy mayoral candidate and prominent arts leader Esther Anatolytis said supporting artists in the city could “shock our thinking”.
“In vertical sites like the Nicholas Building, artists create amazing work that welcomes people from all over Australia and drives local economies,” she said.
We cannot continue to lose our best creative talent. Strengthen what makes Melbourne unique before it's lost forever.
Carlton-based architect Michael Smith, who recently joined Team Hakim as a first-place council candidate, said the vacant office space will welcome arts and community organizations and bring in local businesses they love. He said it was a “precious opportunity” to support the
“We need realistic options for lower-grade office buildings where it is not economically viable to convert them to residential use,” Mr Smith said.
“The City of Melbourne cannot afford to spend millions of dollars on each of these projects to make them viable. Simply waiving permit fees will not enable these office-to-residential conversions. You can't.
As part of the team's broader Postcode 3000 initiative, it also developed a $25 million “tactical urban greening policy” aimed at shaping the future of the city through testing and piloting new public spaces.
Mr Hakim said major thoroughfares and thoroughfares such as the Harbor Esplanade, St Kilda Road, Collins Street, Lygon Street and Errol Street would receive new construction under the programme, including fairy lights, greenery, art trails and interactive spaces. He said it would be revitalized by ideas for place creation.
He also wants to “democratize public lands” by beautifying the entrances to people's homes and apartment buildings by creating licenses for unused land in front of owners' businesses and properties. I'm thinking.
“As our population doubles, every square meter of public space will matter in creating liveable, sustainable and inclusive cities,” Cr Hakim said.
“For too long, Melbourne has been overregulated. It's time to embrace a city where people and businesses have the democratic right to access and shape public space.”
“Through this policy, we will build a Melbourne where community and civic pride are at the forefront, creating an environment where people feel ownership of their surroundings.” •
