The 'Places for People 2004' study found that the city had been regenerated from an "under-utilised and inhospitable" place to "a vibrant, charming 24-hour place" that is "livelier, more attractive and safer than most other city centres found worldwide". This study was undertaken with Gehl Architects.
The study showed:
- 3311 per cent increase in apartments between 1982 and 2002;
- 830 per cent more residents 1992 – 2002;
- 71 per cent more public space on streets and in squares between 1994 and 2004;
- 62 per cent more students in the CBD 1993 – 2004;
- 275 per cent more cafes and restaurants 1993 – 2004;
- pedestrian traffic nearly doubled in the Bourke Street Mall between 1993 and 2004 from 43,000 people per day to 81,000;
- the Bourke Street Mall (81,000 daily) and Swanston St (60,500 daily) both carried more pedestrians than London’s Regent Street (55,000 daily); and
- night-time pedestrian traffic increased 98 per cent between 1993 and 2004 reflecting the growth of bars and café’s and a safer, more welcoming environment.
'Places for People 2004' is available for purchase in hard copy booklet ($20) or CD format ($5) from the Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street. The Melbourne Town Hall Front Desk is open 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
'Places for People 2004' is also available online:
Places for People 2004 (PDF, 5.6MB) 
Note: This is a large file and may take some time to download.