Postcode Influences.

Since 2018, when the Australian Bureau of Statistics published the statement that “the typical Australian is overweight or obese and does not eat enough vegetables,” a global pandemic spiralled the population into an “anxiety epidemic” and traction on physical health began to slide even further.  Alongside these emerging statistics, The Australian Urban Observatory, located in Melbourne at RMIT, was established to collect and study 10+ years worth of complex urban data to begin to make sense of the declining health rates which quickly became closely linked to where we live signalling that the realisation of liveable cities is more vital than ever. 

Image of Brunswick by Tom Ross

Taking a holistic stance on sustainability, NEOMETRO understands that the enduring qualities of a neighbourhood are contingent on elements that effect its built environment, social and commercial infrastructure and its civic ambience. People are intrinsically drawn to places that are emblematic of their lifestyle expectations. Those active by a spirited public realm, serviced by a network of transport systems as well as defined walkability throughout, beautified by generous art and green spaces and elevated by convenient access to shops, restaurants and cultural facets. Creating quality, design-led apartments to bolster housing within those places simply makes good sense.

As a recognised decision-maker within the evolution of Melbourne’s built environment, NEOMETRO is one of many entities tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the ongoing realisation of places where people can live, work, play, grow and age in healthy unity. With strong and empirical studies demonstrating that inner-urban postcodes are best positioned to benefit from those pillars that elicit good mental and physical health, continuing to develop them in a way that promotes liveability is imperative. 

One space in Melbourne’s urban heart. Image by Tom Ross.

Ultimately, Melbourne’s inner milieu is where population density is at its highest. The concentration of postcodes around the CBD are where a vast majority either lives and/or works so developing those areas in tandem with urban planners, cultural authorities, data analysts, local councils and multi-disciplinary design specialists can drive change and reorient health and happiness statistics for the better.