Originally Posted by carcajou (Post 12433769)

As you know, I live in Country WA, so I do not live a Bohemian lifestyle.

But, an observation: the first time I came to Perth was in 2003. It was Dullsville then, and well-deserving of the "Minneapolis Down Under" tag Bill Bryson put on it. It was not bad, but it was not memorable in any way whatsoever.

I didn't come back again until 2014, and I thought in those 11 years, the city had changed dramatically, and for the better. It was a pleasant place with a lot of interesting amenities, and I feel it would be a very, very nice place to live as long as you had a stable job. While I think Perthies can over-sell it, it is still a good place to live, and I'd rather be there than Sydney or Melbourne.

Originally Posted by GarryP (Post 12434202)

Question

What amenities make any city/town vibrant?

In general, nowadays, councils tend to force new estates to add green space and community areas, including for community sports. They get some usage, maybe 50 people at a time at the weekend, for a catchment of thousands.

There are theatres, even in Perf, but when was the last time your went to a theatre? Maybe once a year, particular since the pricing is going on for $100 a ticket, even in the regions.

Sport centres and pools seem to get some use, but still not great considering the catchment areas. Hundreds at a time for a catchment of a hundred of thousand.

Pubs and clubs tend to pick the younger crowds at a weekend, and a street of such can have a 'vibrant nightlife'. However right wing councils particularly seem to want to close them down and lock them out.

Restaurants serve a similar role for the older set, but they aren't really 'vibrant' on the whole.

Shops and Malls do not a vibrant community make.

I think the point is that without local destinations where you want to go of an evening, at least once a week, and can afford to, it's never really going to feel particularly vibrant - and most places really don't have that. In the parlance, there's a need for a collection of different '3rd places' where you can walk to, and just walk in to find things of interest happening.

In short, something like a country pub, but without the focus being on alcohol necessarily.

On top you need more 'major' destination, with good public transport, but without high prices and long ticket waits.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by the troubadour (Post 12434273)

More density would be an obvious answer. Australian cities with their sprawling character simply do not give in to vibrancy on a scale more familiar with most the rest of the world.


There are pockets in the main cities, but far too auto orientated in the main to be called vibrant cities to any degree.


Perth being more auto focused than most the above is even more true. I think Perth is attempting to create pockets of vitality that already exist in Melbourne and Sydney, in a way catch up, as it is unlikely will ever be a vibrant city on world scale measurement.


Of course the density increase needs to be sensibly done, not just the building of apartment blocks , often with maximum profit in mind and not really where most people would care to live.


The problems facing having a reliable and efficient public transport system to compete on European levels will probably never happen in a place like Perth.


We are too sparse and sprawling but creative city planning can certainly improve on the situation we found ourselves in over the past fifty plus years, to which minds have been at work to improve on past mistakes and create a more desirable urban setting.

Originally Posted by carcajou (Post 12444615)

I was only in Perth once or twice this summer, so can't comment, but the bustling country towns I know, all have declined the past few weeks - I attribute it to school starting again and people wrapping up their holidays.

Originally Posted by the troubadour (Post 12444608)

There appears a lack of Perthites on this forum to further comment on the vibrancy matter.


I'm afraid, after being out and about a lot the past few weeks, feel a definite downturn in vibrancy. Perhaps people are just curtailing spending habits, but find less in restaurants and cafes, be it Fremantle or Leederville than last summer. Or is it just my perception?
Hopefully City Link may open up things. People certainly need more encouragement to come into their city centre.

Originally Posted by Amazulu (Post 12446239)

I don't know where this comes from - must have had your eyes close as usual. So yes, just your perception. Our son was at army cadet camp this weekend so we stayed in the city on Saturday night - ate, drank, went to some Perth Fringe shows. Perth CBD and Northbridge were both rammed and were pumping. There was a real buzz around and it was a great atmosphere. Plenty of backpackers about - lots of young people with Irish, German, French, Scandi accents playing and working in multiple establishments. Most bars and restaurants were packed (we spent a bit of time in the Flour Factory and it was heaving). Hard to get a table. I know you hate the fact, but things are picking up. I managed to book a room okay (at the Alex) but it certainly wasn't cheap. Last year, we stayed at the Hilton for under $110 for 2 including breakfast. This year, they wanted closer to $200

Behind the times (in attitude and reality) as usual Herman