subject: Melbourne's Chinatown [print this page] Melbourne's Chinatown Melbourne's Chinatown
The history of Melbourne's Chinatown is a story of diversity and renovation. Melbourne today is a rich and vibrant city, where various cultures and traditions exist side by side. Chinatown today is very different than what it was when it began, and there are histories that inform the past as well as the present. The Gold Rush brought in a large Chinese immigrant population, but as soon as it was over, the populations began to dwindle. It was always an uneasy relationship, paved with many conflicts. The neighborhood had a fair share of Chinese owned and operated businesses, however, such as shops, bakeries, restaurants, and cafes. It began to attract European-descended locals, and eventually became a desirable location in the city. By the 1930s, when Australian students began to show a preference for the neighborhood, its status as a hip place was more or less secured. However, new Chinese immigrants to Melbourne lived in outlying areas, but could find cultural ties in the streets here.
In the late 40s and early 50s, the local charm here that was largely due to the Chinese businesses started to be threatened by larger institutions. Large department stores were driving small businesses out of commission, and by the end of the 1950s, many historical and artistic architectural structures were demolished. At the beginning of the 60s, however, the times began to change and the culture began to shift. Inspired by the vibrant communities and enthusiastic visitors to San Francisco's Chinatown, the City Council of Melbourne began to reinvest in the area. This included the redevelopment and revitalization of Little Burke Street, and the area started to become a major tourist attraction, and was regaining some of its charm from the previous decades.
Thanks to the recent availability of government funding, an innovative plan was begun in 1984. Older buildings were rehabilitated, sidewalk pavement was replaced, and lighting and decorations were installed. There were also other improvements making this part of town a great location for any boutique hotel Melbourne has to offer. The times and the changes have also seen influx of new populations in Melbourne, from other parts of Asia. There are significant pockets of communities from Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Many more Asian students have filled the universities of Melbourne as a result, and the business of the community is doing better than ever, making Melbourne's Chinatown a fascinating place to visit.
