Darebin City Plan 2070
- Location Naarm / Melbourne, Victoria
- Traditional Owners Wurundjeri
- Client City of Darebin
- Team Desley Renton
- Service Urban Research
The Challenge
The task of long-term planning is becoming more intimidating and complex. Massive disruptions are more prevalent, such as pandemics, climate change, technological advancements, and growing inequality. With rising uncertainty, any cities recognise the value of creating a shared long-term vision to bring communities together, generate creative responses to challenges, and harness finite resources towards shared goals.
It has been accepted practice in democratic societies that a community inspired city vision has more support and a much longer life span than a top-down government introduced plan. The most outstanding examples have incorporated innovative and strategic community and stakeholder engagement and engaged directly with broader shared community values.
The work was commissioned by the City of Darebin but is relevant to governments everywhere who have a responsibility to lead the creation of a shared vision for their community.
Our Approach
We reviewed over 30 plans and interviewed people responsible for delivering them around the world in order to investigate what a successful city plan looks like and how they come together. We identified six key success factors in the development of a shared community vision and strategic plan:
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Be clear about the purpose of the vision and the city’s strategic plan.
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Define the issues that matter with the community and stakeholders.
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Don’t create it alone – partner with other organisations and sectors.
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Excite people’s imaginations about the possible.
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Build a consensus through the process and don’t rush it.
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Demonstrate that the vision and plan will be taken seriously and implemented.
The Impact
This research provides a contemporary resource for government planners who are contemplating or commencing the preparation of a city vision or plan. It is in essence a ‘how-to’ guide for starting and delivering a vision and strategic plan with a community.