Melbourne Metro Tunnel Creative Program

Storytelling amongst change: amplifying city life in the midst of re-direction

In 2018, the Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) began developing the Melbourne Metro Tunnel Creative Program (MMTCP), an innovative placemaking strategy aimed at mitigating the impacts of the construction of two 9km rail tunnels and new underground stations in the city’s downtown. Led by CYP and their team of designers, curators and place managers, this multidisciplinary city-shaping project is devoted to creating accessible and enjoyable spaces for the communities adjacent to the construction sites.

CYP engaged Gehl to evaluate the Creative Program’s impact and efficacy as it relates to supporting and engaging the community during this time of temporary but dramatic disruption downtown.

Mural art adjacent to construction of Metro Tunnel.

The MMTCP is guided by five objectives:

1. Keep the city vibrant and moving

2. Think laterally about space and place

3. Remain quintessentially ‘Melbourne’ in our approach

4. Stay true to local character

5. Keep Melbourne liveable

The impact of Gehl’s Evaluation Framework is multifaceted, guided by these five objectives, and uses key indicators of healthy public life, community sentiment and economic return to demonstrate the program’s impact, value, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. The Evaluation Framework, developed through stakeholder workshops, document review, and site observations, outlines the guiding research questions, methods and metrics, a timeline for data collection, and a Tool Appendix, and timeline to execute the community surveys.

Using the Framework, the CYP team conducted their first round of data collection. From which, Gehl analyzed the results and delivered a set of recommendations for continued program development.

As the Melbourne MMCP continues to evolve the Framework itself continues to expand as new needs for program impact understanding emerge. Among these new metrics in development is a survey to understand the impact of art and culture events, a core facet of the MMTC programing.

The program is entering year 3 of 6 and will continue to use the Evaluation Framework developed by Gehl, to collect data and evolve the program accordingly, ensuring that the project remains connected and in-tune with the surrounding community for the remainder of the construction period.

Mural located on the roof of a shed painted by Pat Perry. Designed to conceal construction noise.