© Frans Parthesius

Southbank by Beulah

Melbourne is renowned for its liveability, overlaying a geographically perfect location with beautiful surroundings and a moderate climate. The city itself is set up on Hoddle’s grid, similar to American cities but it also has small-scale laneways and parks similar to some of the most well-known European cities. At first glance – it has the best of all worlds. However, there are also downsides to its planning. Melbourne is very car dependent; there are comparatively few people that live in the city and thus bears some of the most extended urban sprawl in the world. It is a city of contrast.