Policies and initiatives > Direction 5. A great place to be > Policy 5.2

Policy 5.2 – Recognise and protect cultural identity, neighbourhood character and sense of place

Cultural identity makes a region, town or neighbourhood unique. With sense of place, it reinforces a feeling of belonging. While heritage and neighbourhood character are clear components of sense of place, this also arises from non-physical aspects that evolve over time, such as activities, people and the resulting cultural vitality. These should not be affected unintentionally by development.

Sense of community, sense of place and shared identity can be heightened through the powerful community-building tools of the arts and culture. Participation and engagement in creative activities also fosters cultural vitality and innovation at local level.

New development and redevelopment in metropolitan Melbourne and the surrounding region will respond and contribute to existing sense of place and cultural identity. Links between land-use planning and cultural planning will be strengthened.

Development will respond to its context. The special characteristics of a local environment or place will be reinforced by emphasising:

• the underlying (natural) landscape character – this is fundamental to its sense of place, even where substantial urban development has occurred
• heritage values and built form that has resonance for the community
• the values, needs and aspirations of the community.

Neighbourhood character is an important component of sense of place and a key element of ResCode. Identifying and defining neighbourhood character is not about imposing design styles, but about recognising distinctive urban forms and layout and their relationship to the landscape and vegetation. ResCode and other planning requirements will be used to ensure protection of existing valued urban and neighbourhood character.

The urban form of each town and city represents an accumulated memory of its origins and the way it has grown. Future development will respect and add to this layering of community memory and history.

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