Inspired by the approach to understanding, critiquing and rebuilding both planning and the urban environment that Jane Jacobs adopted in her Death and life of great American cities (1961), this paper begins with the personal experience of living in a suburban neighbourhood in Melbourne, Victoria. Particular elements which make this such a positive experience are put alongside the geographical, planning and urban studies literature to offer suggestions by which better suburbs can be planned and activated. This literature and experience will then be contrasted with existing planning practice to highlight what might bring life rather than death to the great Australian suburb.

The paper will be in four sections:

1. Urban life worlds: Johnson and Jacobs

2. Life and death of the great Australian suburb – the literature

3. Planning agendas

4. Affirming life over the death of the great Australian suburb