Discover Michaels Best Selling Books

Michael Buxton: Lyrical Stories of Suburban Memory

Michael Buxton Author Misplaced Memories in Moments of Being

About

Michael Buxton

Michael Buxton is Emeritus Professor of Environment and Planning at RMIT University and a celebrated author. With a career spanning government, academia, and community activism, he has helped shape landmark environmental policies while inspiring generations of students. Beyond planning, Michael brings captivating stories to life—exploring memory, imagination, and the everyday moments that define us. Today, he continues to write, teach, and advocate for a more sustainable and creative future.

Meet the Man behind the Movement

Michael Buxton is more than one of Australia’s leading voices on urban and regional change—he’s a storyteller who brings suburban life to the page with insight and heart. From shaping debates on planning and sustainability to crafting fiction that captures the epic struggles of ordinary lives, Michael bridges worlds of scholarship and creativity. His work invites us to see our suburbs not just as places, but as living narratives of memory, progress, and transformation.

Michael Buxton - Emeritus Professor

My Books

Discover Michael's Books

Transformative Reads on
Change, History and the Future

Misplaced Memories in Moments of Being

Michael Buxton, analyzing contemporary urban planning, city growth, and the transformation of Melbourne’s metropolitan landscape.

Modern Melbourne

Michael Buxton, Emeritus Professor at RMIT, has been a leading voice in shaping debates about Melbourne’s urban future. His co‑authored book Planning Melbourne: Lessons for a Sustainable City (2016) examines the city’s rapid expansion, the pressures of housing affordability, and the consequences of urban sprawl. Buxton critiques deregulated planning systems and argues for stronger frameworks that protect green wedges, encourage public transport, and prioritize community consultation.
Key themes in his work include:
• Urban Growth Boundaries: Advocating for legislated limits to protect Melbourne’s green belt and peri‑urban regions.
• Sustainability: Highlighting the need for integrated transport and land‑use planning to reduce reliance on cars and preserve natural resources.
• Community Engagement: Emphasizing the importance of involving residents in planning decisions to ensure diverse housing and equitable outcomes.
• Policy Reform: Critiquing government approaches that centralize control and encourage large‑scale infrastructure projects without adequate long‑term vision.
Buxton’s research and publications, including Planning Melbourne and Future of the Fringe, provide both historical context and forward‑looking strategies. They underscore his belief that Melbourne’s modern planning must balance growth with environmental stewardship and social equity.

Michael Buxton, Emeritus Professor at RMIT University, renowned urban planner and author of influential books including “1964,” “Misplaced Memories in Moments of Being,” “Planning Melbourne,” and “Future of the Fringe.” The photo highlights his role as a leading academic voice on metropolitan growth, sustainability, and cultural history, reflecting his contributions to shaping Melbourne’s planning debates and literary storytelling.

Future of Urban Planning

Michael Buxton’s Perspective on Melbourne’s Planning Future
Michael Buxton has long been one of Australia’s most prominent voices in urban planning and metropolitan policy. As an Emeritus Professor at RMIT University, he has consistently warned that Melbourne’s planning trajectory risks undermining the very qualities that make the city liveable.
• Critique of High‑Rise Expansion: Recent Victorian government proposals to rezone suburban areas for 20‑storey residential towers have drawn sharp criticism from Buxton. He warns that such policies could transform Melbourne into a “third or fourth‑rate city,” stripping away its unique character and replacing it with standardized apartment blocks.
• Loss of Community Identity: Buxton emphasizes that Melbourne’s appeal lies in its diverse suburbs, green wedges, and human‑scale design. He argues that blanket rezoning will erode these qualities, creating homogenous developments that fail to foster community or affordability.
• Green Wedges and Growth Boundaries: A central theme in Buxton’s work is the protection of green wedges—the peri‑urban landscapes that provide ecological balance and recreational space. He has advocated for legislated urban growth boundaries to prevent sprawl and preserve Melbourne’s environmental assets.
• Housing Affordability Concerns: While government officials claim that rezoning will make housing more accessible, Buxton counters that high‑rise developments rarely deliver genuine affordability. Instead, he calls for integrated transport and land‑use planning that supports diverse housing options and equitable outcomes.
• Long‑Term Vision: In his co‑authored book Planning Melbourne: Lessons for a Sustainable City, Buxton outlines strategies for balancing growth with sustainability. He stresses that Melbourne must plan for 1.6 million additional homes by 2050 while safeguarding amenity, social cohesion, and environmental resilience.