One of Victoria’s top planners, Bill Kusznirczuk, claims COVID-19 presents a “generational catastrophe” that threatens to scuttle major developments in Melbourne and will reshape every aspect of how Australian cities are planned:
Victorian Planning Authority deputy chair Bill Kusznirczuk says the effects of the pandemic will last for years, and will reshape how planners approach high-rises, public transport and other planning issues.
“There will be less demand for high-rise living, with people troubled by higher densities and being located close to each other, sharing lifts and other communal facilities”…
“I do not think there will be a ‘business as usual’ post-COVID,” he says. “This is a generational catastrophe. We will learn from this pandemic and will create a new normal”…
“All high-density developments will be closely considered in light of the coronavirus pandemic”…
“Things like having a lot of people gathering in places like foyers and lifts will need to be reconsidered. People will place a higher value on suburban living as they will feel more safe and secure in the suburbs”…
How is this a catastrophe? 15 years of mass immigration has blighted Melbourne with hundreds of ugly, poorly constructed high-rise towers. This has enriched the property lobby at the expense of urban amenity.
It’s not a generational catastrophe that COVID-19 could spell the end of high rises. It is a welcome dawn so many have been waiting for.
If there’s one thing Melbourne does not need, it’s more cheaply built, unsafe, unattractive high rise blocks.
