Visionary alumni celebrated for their contribution in transforming the Yarra precinct
Two of our alumni were acknowledged this week for their contribution to the revitalization of the Yarra River precinct. Transforming the Yarra, a multimedia walking tour focusing on the extraodinary transformation of the river since the 1980s, was launched by Premier John Brumby on Tuesday 13 July.
Transforming the Yarra celebrates the visionary urban planning of Professor The Honourable Evan Walker AO (Minister for Planning & Environment from 1982-1986) and Professor David Yenken AO (Secretary of the Minister for Planning & Environment from 1982-1987), who pioneered a blueprint for rejuvenating the river bank. Their plan, devised in the 1980s, resulted in the development of Southbank and outlined a strategy for landscaped promenades lined with public buildings, cafes and public art. Evan Walker was Dean of Architecture at the University of Melbourne from 1991 to 1994 and Professorial Fellow from 1991 to 2000. David Yencken was the Elisabeth Murdoch Chair of Landscape Architecture and a Professorial Fellow of the Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning.
Featuring testimonies from architects and academics, Transforming the Yarra gives an engaging explanation of how Melbourne turned its focus back towards the Yarra River. Starting at Princes Bridge, the 25 minute tour traverses from Federation Square to Southbank Promenade, across Sandridge bridge and down to South Wharf. The tour reminds listeners of the area’s significance to Indigenous Australians and explores the speed with which the colonial generation destroyed the pristine nature of the river.
Affirming the importance of urban design and architecture, a commemorative plaque has also been erected on the banks of the river, near the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. It describes the contributions of both David Yencken and Evan Walker and is a wonderful acknowledgment of their vision. The plaque states: ‘The huge variety of activities you see today is a tribute to the vision of Evan Walker and David Yenken to make the Yarra a central focus for the city.’
ABP’s Kim Dovey, Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, was also involved in the project, providing commentary on the audio tour. Professor Dovey believes the tour is a unique initiative. ‘It celebrates a long term strategy and achievement in urban design which is unusual. With both its good and bad bits the river has become a much loved and integral part of the city’, he says.
Transforming the Yarra, commissioned by Major Projects Victoria, was developed for the State of Design Festival. The tour is available as an iPhone app, and can be downloaded free from the iTunes store: Transforming the Yarra.