We often think of our public transport system purely in functional terms.

Good rail infrastructure gets us from A to B—efficiently and on time. It ensures our cities and towns run smoothly; taking cars off our streets and connecting people to the places they need to travel to with ease.

Great rail infrastructure, however, does this and much more. Great rail infrastructure plays a civic role in the city. When thoughtfully designed, it gives back to the city, engaging with the arts and providing public spaces which engender a sense of pride and place.

Rail as Civic Infrastructure looks at how infrastructure can provide much more than timelines and efficiency and shine a light on the design and architecture of the new Metro Tunnel stations.

In this keynote presentation Ivan Harbour, RSHP architect and senior partner, explores how architecture can contribute to the public life of a city and delve into the important contribution rail design can make to the public realm.

The following panel conversation with Hassell architect and principal Ingrid Bakker and Victorian Government Architect Jill Garner reveals the new Metro Tunnel stations, explores their contribution to Melbourne’s civic realm and unpacks the design and delivery of this exciting rail infrastructure project.

Rail as Civic Infrastructure is presented by Open House Melbourne in partnership with the Metro Tunnel Creative Program.