Docklands imagined

Docklands imagined

If there were no limits, what would you change?

Students from Deakin University have re-imagined Docklands as part of a unit on “urban perspectives”.

Unhindered by the constraints of existing plans and building regulations, the students had a fresh take on Docklands, which they presented to interested members of the community last month.

Culture, leisure and romance were three themes used by students Bart Curnow and Jandi Vagg to envision a different Docklands.

Culturally, the pair envisioned the construction of a government-funded art studio, a public graffiti wall, an outdoor exhibition space and an indoor or outdoor skate park.

When it came to leisure, they suggested an outdoor amphitheatre for performances, and movie screenings – together with a beach by the waterfront.

The main feature of their romantic scenario was an enclosed, glass walkway that extended from the Southern Cross Station, across the Etihad Stadium concourse, down to Harbour Esplanade.

“This could be to connect the city and Docklands via a glass walkway or to culturally stimulate the area by attracting a variety of people through a series of events that have people coming back,” Bart said.

Fellow Deakin students, Hayden Djakic and Jessica Edwards, had a different concept for Docklands.

Hayden said the key themes of their concept were ensuring there was a human scale in the development, and enough green space to complement the large portion of land taken up by infrastructure and buildings, reinforcing the importance of artwork in Docklands.

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