Melbourne Metro

Futurecity contributed to the winning bid to deliver the Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project – one of the biggest public transport projects in Victorian history.

In 2017, the Cross Yarra Partnership (Lendlease, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella) was selected by the Victorian Government to deliver a new world class public transport solution including five new underground stations, transforming the city by improving connectivity across Melbourne and acting as a catalyst for urban renewal.

Futurecity developed the Cultural and Community Identity Infrastructure for the bid – a strategic cultural framework for the entire project which reflected the objectives of the government’s Metro Tunnel Creative Strategy and the vision of a metro system that remodels Melbourne as a living art gallery and creative studio for the 21st century.

The Cultural and Community Identity Infrastructure proposed a range of temporary and permanent cultural projects across the stations and public realm, to enhance the quality and experience of the users of the stations and the wider community. The framework acknowledged the individual characteristics and ecology of each station precinct, as well as the existing and future communities and untold stories associated with each place. It proposed line-wide and site-specific curatorial themes in line with the overall design of the stations and a strategic range of projects and commissions across the construction program. The framework proposed a robust commissioning process, opportunities to work with artists and creatives across different media and profile, and opportunities for collaboration and cultural partnerships across the city. It encouraged a connection to country and a focus towards the celebration of the cultural and creative life which lies at the heart of Melbourne.