The changing residential role of the inner city: the example of inner Melbourne

Summary The inner sections of most large metropolitan regions increasingly are becoming areas of concern. The combination of ageing and obsolescent facilities with falling population numbers and high turnover rates is being seen to threaten the future viability of the inner region, particularly in terms of a residential function. This paper looks at recent trends in the inner city of Melbourne and finds that while significant changes are occurring in both population and dwelling units, their nature suggests an upgrading rather than a downgrading of the inner city.