Exploring people-centred development in Melbourne Docklands redevelopment: Beyond physical development and collaborative planning

The main theme of this research is centring people and their specific capabilities in the process of change within urban redevelopment. In this regard, in addition to considering affected people as the key actors in the process, this research argues for the inclusion of both the reflexive and adaptive capabilities of human agents. In particular, this research focuses on the socio-reflexive process underlying the change in beliefs-in-actions at both individual and social levels that could lead to place-based identity and community building. This people-centred approach to redevelopment and its alternatives have been studied in the case of Melbourne Docklands redevelopment. The findings show that while the development approach applied in Docklands has changed during its second decade of development (commenced in 2010) towards a more collaborative perspective, it still differs from a people-centred approach and is far from reaching a community building goal. This research finishes with recommendations for a new role for planners and governments, aligned with this approach and future directions for research in urban development.