A simple map published a century ago continues to shape the very fabric of Australia's capital city, standing as both blueprint and touchstone for Canberra's ongoing development story.
The Enduring Legacy of a Visionary Design
Buried among customs notices and tender announcements in the Commonwealth Gazette on November 19, 1925, the "plan of the lay-out of the city of Canberra and its environs" formally entrenched Walter Burley Griffin's vision for the national capital. This gazettal gave Parliament power to disallow changes to the plan, a provision that remains foundational to Canberra's planning system today.
When the Griffin plan received official recognition, approximately 5000 people lived in what would become the Australian Capital Territory. The plan itself had arrived as the final entry in an international competition to design Australia's new capital, ultimately winning in 1912 despite its late submission.
"The Australian authorities may merely adopt my ground plan and fill in the architectural details to suit themselves," Griffin remarked upon his victory. "However, if my plan is carried out in all its details, I think the Australian capital will be the most beautiful city in history."
Contemporary Perspectives on a Historic Plan
University of Canberra architecture lecturer Dr Sally Farrah describes the Griffin legacy as one of contradictions. "The way that they embedded axes and zones within that certainly has been maintained today," Dr Farrah observes, noting the Griffins' remarkable understanding of the Canberra landscape despite never having visited when they created their award-winning entry.
While celebrating Canberra's abundant preserved landscape as the plan's greatest legacy, Dr Farrah offers critical perspective on its zoning approach. "Urban planning is not as simple as just the grouping of things by usage, which was a key part of the Griffin outlook."
The tension between Canberra's identity as both "bush capital" and monumental national city represents an ongoing challenge. "It'll always be a kind of contest between those two things, which I think are fundamentally at odds with each other," Dr Farrah notes.
Governance Challenges and Future Directions
Brett Odgers, former chair of the Walter Burley Griffin Society's Canberra chapter, presents a more critical assessment of the city's current planning governance. He contrasts Canberra's management unfavourably with Washington DC, pointing to superior institutional arrangements and more democratic structures in the American capital.
"In stark contrast, the 'authorities that be' in Canberra have contrived over the years, without relief, to burden Australia's capital city with a regrettably inadequate, fragmented and dysfunctional system of governance," Mr Odgers argued in a recent talk.
He specifically criticised the National Capital Authority for lacking resources, corporate knowledge, democratic links, and adequate consultative processes. "Simple measures such as ACT representation on the NCA board and mechanisms for integrating the respective federal and territorial planning and administration and statutory plan procedures are lacking."
Despite these criticisms, Mr Odgers acknowledges "remarkable revivals of Griffin plan elements" in developments across Canberra, including New Acton, Kingston Foreshore, and campus plans for major universities.
Looking Forward: Sustainability and Urban Density
Dr Farrah identifies the Griffin legacy as offering valuable insights for addressing contemporary challenges like urban sprawl. "There is no reason why Canberra should be building further out and out. And, of course, there's other problems with that, like infrastructure and more reliance on cars," she emphasises.
This perspective gains particular relevance as Canberra continues to grow while grappling with sustainability concerns and transportation infrastructure limitations.
In a joint statement marking the plan's centenary, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and federal Territories Minister Kristy McBain reaffirmed the enduring significance of the Griffin vision. "It is an enduring legacy that continues to shape the way Canberra evolves, ensuring the city remains one of the world's most liveable places," they stated.
The ministers highlighted how the Griffin plan established Canberra's defining structure: a city centre framed by grand axes, distinct districts, strong vistas, and integration of nature throughout suburban areas.
As Mr Odgers reflects, despite Griffin's many detractors throughout history, "we can see in Canberra today the enduring basic purpose, structure, principles and values of the plan, still." A century after its official gazettal, the simple map published among bureaucratic notices continues to shape Australia's national capital.
