A Sense of Place - expressing local identity in new development
Vibrant, friendly, with a fervent spirit and a sophisticated outlook, Port Phillip's appeal as a place to live, work and play is universal. Culture, style, industry, outdoor activity and history are just a few elements embodying the city's cosmopolitan quality.
Located on the northern shore of Port Phillip Bay, the City of Port Phillip is one of the oldest districts of European settlement in Melbourne. The area is well known for its many dynamic urban villages, a foreshore which stretches for nearly 10km, cultural diversity, magnificent heritage buildings, artistic expressions and beautiful parks and gardens.
Port Phillip's seven neighbourhoods are geographical and cultural pockets of the complete Port Phillip experience. Local people are proud of the special charm and distinctive character of their neighbourhoods, which are defined not only by their physical form but also how our lifestyles socially and culturally express our 'sense of place'.
Architects, planners, developers and other professional practitioners also exert significant influence with their designs and developments, and can contribute a great deal to protecting and revitalising the physical character of these discrete places.
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Urban icons and neighbourhood life
What is it about a neighbourhood that provides a feeling of belonging? Local people understand that the status, presence and significance of local icons provide a personal sense of security and connect them to a place's unique identity.
Icon (n) - emblem, symbol; a sign whose form suggests its meaning. Etymology: Latin, from Greek eikOn, from eikenai to resemble.
Iconography - the use of images and symbols to represent ideas, or the particular images and symbols used in this way.
Urban Icons - what expression better captures the range of physical features (architecture, landscapes, parks & gardens, formalised precincts) and intangible ideas and images (symbols, traditions, memories and ambiance) that engage our sense of connectedness and belonging?
Our neighbourhoods have distinct environmental settings, cultural histories and a collective role in metropolitan Melbourne that makes Port Phillip unique. Over time, these elements have contributed to particular patterns of building, land use, movement, identity and image that help create its special character.
The Port Phillip community is clearly eager to preserve and enhance the diversity and special qualities of these various regions. In recognising this, the City of Port Phillip is documenting local icons that are valued and give character to our neighbourhoods. These resources provide insight into the identity characteristics and lifestyle qualities that underpin and influence the overall urban character of each neighbourhood.
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The seven neighbourhoods
The neighbourhood heading is a direct link to information about that neighbourhood.
 Ever since Melbourne was first settled, Port Melbourne has historically provided the first glimpse of Melbourne for visitors, immigrants and sailors arriving by water from destinations all over the world. Retaining its core industrial precinct, the neighbourhood has a new appeal - pioneering a fashionable beachside ambiance and style that's attracting locals and visitors in droves.
 Bluestone cobbles, abundant gardens, strong village life and Victorian and Edwardian buildings - affluent Albert Park/Middle Park is a charming pocket of Port Phillip. The neighbourhood includes the popular Albert Park Lake and its 225 hectares of open space and recreation facilities.
Hotels, international consulates, high-rise residentials and a proliferation of office uses - the St Kilda Road neighbourhood is unlike any other in Port Phillip. With the nearby Fawkner Park and Albert Park and the delights of neighbouring suburbs, the broad treed boulevard of St Kilda Road is growing in its residential appeal.
Some people claim the dim sims at South Melbourne Market are the best in the world. Since 1867 locals in the know have been going to the market for fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and deli produce. A major council venture promises to lift South Melbourne Central into the spotlight, a terrific opportunity to conceive a preferred urban form for this precinct.
Melbourne's premier playground for over 160 years, St Kilda radiates cool bayside charm and presents marvellous vistas of Port Phillip Bay. Plans to revitalise and renew the public spaces on the St Kilda foreshore are setting the direction for urban development and design of this culturally significant area.
One of the more diverse and most densely settled neighbourhoods of the City of Port Phillip, East St Kilda is quite a different area from the spectacle of its well known neighbour, St Kilda. The kosher strip of Carlisle Street has seen a vibrancy added to it by Russian Jews who have opened butchers which display hundreds of different types of sausage, delicatessens selling matzo meal and gefilte fish, and bakeries doing a roaring trade in boiled bagels.
 Believed to be named after the Quaker historian and poet, Thomas Ellwood, friend of the poet Milton, a poetic influence is keenly evoked in many of Elwood's street names. The Elwood Canal courses through this leafy neighbourhood, with its large Victorian and Edwardian houses and abundance of flats, down to the distinctive ti-tree adorned foreshore.
Is my house listed as significant or contributory under the Heritage Overlay?
For more information about Heritage Overlays, the following link provides information about Heritage Planning Controls.
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A diverse fusion
Port Phillip's diverse cultural background has created a vibrant blend of impressive modern architecture with classic historical landmarks. Quirky and emblematic sculptures enhance our streets, parks and promenades. Footpaths and walkways feature attractive murals. Contemporary forms converge alongside heritage buildings.
The fusion of past tradition and diverse cultural influences has created an invigorated and forward thinking city and a dynamic centre for culture, communities and commerce.
The City of Port Phillip and its community believe in the importance of:
- Preserving the past
- Encouraging community participation
- Supporting the expression of ideas
- Celebrating identity and innovation
Port Phillip's welcoming, outgoing and confident nature reflects the generous and inclusive spirit of its local people. This spirit embraces change while respecting heritage, celebrates diversity while sharing a common sense of place and pride and aspires to a rich, lively and peaceful future.
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Be influential
Contemporary, historic, always developing and constantly innovating, Port Phillip has witnessed tremendous change since settlement and yet our neighbourhoods continue to remind us of the richness of their distinctive histories and special values.
Who knows what's in store for the future? One certainty is the chance you have to shape the face of Port Phillip's landscape and what we feel for this particular place. Property owners, investors, developers, planners, architects, engineers and landscapers are influential in the design of our physical environment. Residents, community groups and visitors can contribute to the dialogue and decisions about what shape their work takes.
Building on a theme
If you're a professional practitioner in planning, design, architecture, engineering or similar discipline it is important you understand that Port Phillip's neighbourhoods are quite distinct from each other, and respond to and reinforce their existing characters in your work. Your proposals for new developments and refurbishments will be considered by the Port Phillip Council in terms of how they fit with our 'sense of place'.
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Resources available
The City of Port Phillip has a range of resources to help you discover the distinctive qualities of our neighbourhoods, and guide how you can influence the physical landscape.
Heritage Resources
Includes information about the Port Phillip Heritage Review (with heritage and neighbourhood policy maps) and the free heritage advisory service.
Urban and Sustainable Design Advisory Service
Expert one-on-one advice is offered to planning and building applicants.
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Getting out and about
One of the best ways to experience Port Phillip's neighbourhoods and become familiar with how they are different is to get out and explore. Other sections of this website have terrific information to guide your way, including maps.
Walking in Port Phillip
Cycling in Port Phillip
Take a cultural tour using the visual arts map of the Port Phillip area.
Southside Arts.
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More information
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer phone ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Urban Design & Architecture.
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