Buckingham Avenue, Springvale

Urban Initiative’s design work in the Springvale retail area began in 2002 with the completion of the distinctive gateway art project to revitalise the northern section of Buckingham Avenue, Springvale.

Working with public artist Patti Wong and consulting with the City of Greater Dandenong Council and the community, an agreed plan was developed which responded to the specific needs of traders and the local Vietnamese community. The consultation process and subsequent plan acknowledged the influence of the cultural identity of this community in a contemporary way and avoided preconceived ideas of how heritage and culture should be portrayed. The plan also identified possible future improvements beyond the study area to enhance the functionality, amenity and atmospherics of the Springvale Activity Centre.

Involvement by Urban Initiatives over a decade, under numerous small contracts and with frequent changes of responsible council staff, has led to the renewal of 20,000 m² of previously degraded public street space. This important transformation has often been achieved on a series of restricted budgets.

The integration of a sophisticated mixed-use development that replaced a large on-grade car park has given the area a new heart without compromising the lively multicultural feel of the centre.

The Buckingham Avenue concept design achieved ‘Pride of Place’ funding for construction and further master-planning considered street design of the entire shopping centre and other future gateways.