Zoned out: The geography and resilience of cultural manufacturing in “post-industrial” Melbourne

Manufacturing in high-cost cities is changing. Rather than large-scale industry, the sector is now increasingly defined by small-scale enterprises in high and low-technology fields. My research focuses on “cultural manufacturing”, which encompasses industries producing high-value, design-driven consumer goods (e.g., furniture, clothing, jewellery, crafts) and specialised production services (e.g., specialty printing, architectural interiors, event installations). I analyse how these industries have adapted to land use pressures and property development in Melbourne, Australia. My findings inform revised cluster theories and alternative approaches to urban policy, which aim to reintegrate industrial space and urban manufacturing with the fabric of our cities.