Places for People, Melbourne city 1994

While working at the City of Melbourne, Nathan Alexander recognised a need to quantify the use of central Melbourne's public space and to evaluate their experiential quality.  This would allow the City to measure improvements in the public realm and to compare its results with other cities.   

Nathan undertook a study in collaboration with Professor Jan Gehl of Denmark, using his established methodology.  

The published study won a Victorian Local Government Planning Association award.  The study was repeated in 2004, with another update scheduled for 2014. 

"Nathan Alexander had the foresight to see the need to collect and publish our data, introduced us to Jan Gehl and  initiated and led the 1994 Places for People study.  The City is still reaping the benefits."

Professor Rob Adams, AM, Director, City Design Division, City of Melbourne

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Daily pattern of use of public spaces, central Melbourne, weekdays.
                    Want to download the report?  Get it here:
                    'Places for people: central Melbourne 1994'

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Ground floor frontage quality.
Yellow = high
Pink =moderate
Purple = low
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Stationary activities measured at nine central city locations

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Retailing opening onto public spaces