Post #302735
2026-02-15 07:01 UTC
I've made use of the new 10-minute service on the Sunbury line to visit St Albans.
This is one of the few outer suburban areas to have a traditional shopping strip (likely the result of a pre-existing town captured by Melbourne's expansion).
Traditional commerical strips with separate small landholdings are critical for independence and innovation.
Most post-war suburban areas only have consolidated single owner/manager commercial centres that prefer low-risk chain retail and hospitality.
It's why pre-war development areas tend to be fun and interesting, while post-war development areas tend to be bland and boring.
I must come back to see if the local IGA supermarket has a deli.
#UrbanPlanning
Replies (3)
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@augustusbrown@aus.social 2026-02-15 08:52
@athrun@c.im Thanks for sharing. Agree, there's nuance to everything (in this case, were these historic developments trying to cover what a local council would do today? Streetscape, parks, amenities, etc).
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@Charles@gascoigne.social 2026-02-15 09:57
@augustusbrown@aus.social This is a really important point, and something that Canberra suffers from badly.
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@tilde@gts.ultros.pro 2026-02-16 00:49
@augustusbrown@aus.social omg, yes the st albans iga does have a deli and it fucking slaps!! i loved living there, st albans was fantastic if not for poor transport options, so good to see the new services making this city so much more accessible