US-style College Town Architecture Opposed Down Under

A proposed 11-story complex at Melbourne University is criticized for repeating the mistakes of inexpensively built U.S. private student housing.

1 minute read

June 12, 2003, 2:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"A contentious 11-storey complex opposite Melbourne University would offer a new kind of student housing for Melbourne similar to that in American college towns, a planning tribunal was told yesterday.... The City of Melbourne, the National Trust and the Carlton Residents Association, which are appealing against Planning Minister Mary Delahunty's approval of the complex, will argue that the buildings are of great bulk and poor design.""The City of Melbourne, the National Trust and the Carlton Residents Association, which are appealing against Planning Minister Mary Delahunty's approval of the complex, will argue that the buildings are of great bulk and poor design.""'It is a form not readily seen in Australian circumstances." But in the United States there were "whole (student) towns of 35,000 to 40,000 people' with similar housing," the developer said.

Thanks to Bob Karrow

Thursday, June 12, 2003 in The Age, Australia

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing