New ideas pop up in Melbourne

Pop-up parks, art shows and bars are the way to give Melburnians breathing space, an expert says, highlighting a huge array of business opportunities for entrepreneurs.

According to University of Melbourne landscape architecture lecturer Heike Rahmann, pocket-sized chill-out spots are ever more vital as Melbourne’s population puts the squeeze on space.

Rahmann says railway reserves and idle development sites are primed for conversion to hangouts designed for a good time, not a long time.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle agrees pop-ups in disused spaces are a good idea.

“The city already programs a number of pop-up initiatives on public land through our street trading, events and arts programs. These… give vibrancy to our city,” Doyle says.

If you’ve got an eye for architecture or quirky concepts, transforming a disused space by way of a pop-up store could be the perfect way to start a business.