Canberra history

The history of Canberra is unique, as it is one of the few cities in the world that was specifically designed and built to perform capital functions. Its emergence is the result of a political compromise rather than gradual historical development.

Foundation and First Mentions

Before the arrival of Europeans, the lands on which Canberra stands today were inhabited by Indigenous Australian tribes, particularly the Ngunnawal people, for at least 21,000 years. The name "Canberra" itself is believed to derive from a word in one of the local dialects meaning "meeting place". The first European settlers appeared in this region in the 1820s, engaging mainly in sheep farming.

A key turning point in history occurred after the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, entered into a fierce rivalry for the right to become the capital. As a result, a compromise decision was made: to build a new capital on neutral territory. In 1908, a site in the state of New South Wales was chosen. In 1911, an international competition for the best city design was announced, which was won by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin. The official date of Canberra's foundation is considered to be 12 March 1913, when the city received its name.

Key Factors of Establishment

The development of Canberra was determined by several main factors:

• Political Will: The city was founded exclusively as the future administrative and government centre of the country, which became the solution to the protracted dispute between Sydney and Melbourne.
• Urban Plan: Walter Burley Griffin's design was based on the "Garden City" concept. He harmoniously integrated a geometric grid of streets, park zones, and a central artificial lake into the existing landscape of the hilly plain. This plan continues to define the unique appearance of the city today.
• Geographical Location: The place was chosen due to its picturesque landscape, temperate climate, and the presence of sufficient water resources thanks to the Molonglo River.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early stages, Canberra's development was slow, hindered by the First World War and the Great Depression. For a long time, the city remained a small settlement, earning the ironic nickname "bush capital" ("a capital in the woods"). Its economy depended almost entirely on the public sector — construction and the work of government institutions.

An important step was the relocation of the Federal Parliament from the temporary capital of Melbourne to Canberra in 1927. However, real growth began only after World War II, when Prime Minister Robert Menzies initiated a large-scale development programme for the capital. During this period, key cultural and scientific institutions were created, including the Australian National University, which laid the foundation for transforming Canberra into an important educational and cultural centre.

Chronology of Canberra's History

• Around 21,000 BC — The appearance of the first humans on the lands of modern Canberra. This region has been home to Indigenous peoples, particularly the Ngunnawal tribe, for millennia.
• 1820s — The beginning of the region's settlement by European settlers who established sheep farms here.
• 1908 — Selection of the site for the future capital of Australia, becoming a compromise in the long-standing rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne.
• 1911 — Victory of American architect Walter Burley Griffin in the international competition for the best city design. His "Garden City" concept defined Canberra's unique look.
• 12 March 1913 — Official naming ceremony of the city. Lady Denman, the wife of the Governor-General, announces the name "Canberra".
• 9 May 1927 — The Federal Parliament moves from Melbourne to a temporary building in Canberra, officially securing the city's status as the capital.
• 1946 — Foundation of the Australian National University, which eventually turned into one of the country's leading research centres.
• 1964 — Completion of the construction of the artificial Lake Burley Griffin — the central element of the urban plan, which radically transformed the capital's landscape.
• 1980 — Opening of the High Court of Australia building, which became an important architectural symbol on the lake's shore.
• 1982 — Opening of the National Gallery of Australia, which today houses a rich collection of national and world art.
• 9 May 1988 — Grand opening of the new, permanent Parliament House on Capital Hill by Queen Elizabeth II.
• January 2003 — Massive bushfires cause serious damage to Canberra's suburbs, leading to a rethinking of approaches to urban planning and natural risk management.
• 2013 — Widespread celebration of the city's centenary, marked by numerous festivals and cultural events.
• April 2019 — Launch of the first light rail line (tram), which connected the city centre with the northern districts and marked a new stage in the development of the capital's transport system.

Key Stages of Canberra's Development

The history of Canberra is not a history of gradual growth, but of the purposeful creation of a capital. Each stage of its development was carefully planned, which determined the unique appearance of the city.

• 1913: Approval of the Griffin Plan. The cornerstone in the city's history was the project of American architect Walter Burley Griffin. His "Garden City" concept with geometrically aligned streets, extensive park zones, and an artificial lake in the centre formed the basis of all further development. This plan ensured a harmonious combination of the urban environment and the natural landscape, which remains Canberra's calling card to this day.
• 1927: Relocation of Parliament. The official transfer of the Federal Parliament from Melbourne to Canberra on 9 May 1927 finally secured the capital status for the city. This event became a powerful impetus for initial growth, attracting civil servants to the city and stimulating the construction of administrative buildings.
• After 1945: Post-War Development Boom. After World War II, under the patronage of Prime Minister Robert Menzies, a period of rapid growth began. The city, which was previously ironically called "several suburbs in search of a city", began to be actively built up. During this time, key scientific and cultural institutions were founded, including the Australian National University (1946), turning Canberra into an important educational centre.
• 1964: Completion of Lake Burley Griffin. The creation of the central artificial lake became the embodiment of Griffin's original vision and radically transformed the appearance of the capital. The reservoir not only became a recreational centre but also united disparate parts of the city, forming a unified urban space.
• 1988: Opening of the New Parliament House. The construction of the monumental new Parliament building on Capital Hill, solemnly opened on 9 May 1988, symbolised the maturity of the nation and its capital. This architectural masterpiece became not only a political but also an important cultural and tourist symbol of Australia.
• 2003: Bushfires and Rethinking Urban Planning. Devastating bushfires in January 2003 caused serious damage to the suburbs and destroyed part of the Mount Stromlo Observatory. This tragedy forced a review of approaches to city planning, especially on the border with natural zones, and strengthened risk management measures.
• 2019: Launch of Light Rail. The opening of the first tram line marked a new stage in the development of Canberra's transport infrastructure. This project aims to solve the problems of a growing city, reduce dependence on cars, and create a more sustainable urban environment.

Canberra's architecture is a vivid illustration of its unique history as a city designed from scratch. There is no chaotic development here, typical of older capitals; instead, each stage of development has left its mark in the form of iconic buildings and clearly planned districts.

Early 20th Century: The Griffins' Plan and the "Garden City" Concept

The basis of Canberra's urban development was the project of American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who won the international competition in 1912. Their plan was inspired by the "City Beautiful" movement and the "Garden City" concept. The key principles of this plan are still visible today:

• Geometric Structure: The plan is based on a system of axes connecting key topographical points. The central place is occupied by the Parliamentary Triangle, the vertices of which are Capital Hill, City Hill, and Russell Hill.
• Integration with the Landscape: Urban development is harmoniously inscribed into the natural hilly terrain, and extensive park zones and the artificial Lake Burley Griffin serve as central elements of the composition.
• Monumentality: The plan envisaged placing main government buildings on elevations, which gave them special significance.

Early structures, such as the Old Parliament House (1927), are executed in the restrained style of "Stripped Classicism", which reflected official status but without excessive opulence.

Mid-20th Century: Post-War Modernism and Brutalism

After World War II, Canberra's development accelerated, and Modernism reigned in the city's architecture. This period is characterised by functionality, the use of new materials (primarily concrete), and bold geometric forms. A striking example was the Brutalist style, which emphasised the power and monumentality of government institutions.

Iconic buildings of this era:

• Australian Academy of Science (Shine Dome): A unique domed building (1959) became a symbol of scientific progress and bold architectural solutions.
• National Gallery of Australia (1982) and High Court of Australia (1980): Two monumental buildings on the lake shore, which are striking examples of Brutalism with their massive concrete structures and strict geometry.

Late 20th – Early 21st Century: Postmodernism and Contemporary Architecture

By the end of the 20th century, architects began to move away from the strict framework of Modernism in favour of the more complex and symbolic forms of Postmodernism. The main masterpiece of this period was the New Parliament House (1988). Designed by Romaldo Giurgola, it is literally built into Capital Hill, and a huge flagpole towers above it, symbolising that power belongs to the people. The design of the building, resembling two boomerangs, is a reference to the culture of Indigenous Australians.

Another iconic object was the National Museum of Australia (2001), executed in the style of postmodern deconstructivism. Its bright colours and broken lines symbolise the diversity and complexity of Australian history. Canberra's modern development continues in districts such as NewActon, where multifunctional complexes with bold contemporary architecture appear, proving that the Garden City continues to evolve.

Notable Figures Associated with Canberra

Canberra, as the political, scientific, and cultural centre of Australia, has become the home and workplace for many prominent figures who have made a significant contribution to the development of the nation and world history.

• Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin: American architects whose lives are inextricably linked with the founding of Canberra. In 1912, their project won the international competition for the design of Australia's new capital. Their revolutionary "Garden City" concept with geometrically aligned axes, extensive parks, and a central lake defined the unique look and structure of the city for decades to come.
• Sir Robert Menzies: Prime Minister of Australia, often called the "second founding father" of Canberra. During his second term (1949–1966), he initiated the large-scale development of the capital, transforming it from a quiet town into a thriving administrative centre. With his support, the construction of Lake Burley Griffin was completed and many key national institutions were founded.
• Frank Fenner: A distinguished scientist and virologist. Working at the Australian National University in Canberra, he played a key role in the global programme to eradicate smallpox, heading the WHO commission that officially announced the victory over the disease in 1980. He is also known for his work on controlling the rabbit population in Australia using the myxoma virus.
• Howard Florey: Nobel Prize laureate in Medicine in 1945 for his role in the development of penicillin. Lord Florey was one of the key figures in the creation of the Australian National University (ANU) and served as its Chancellor from 1965 to 1968. His participation strengthened Canberra's reputation as a leading global scientific centre.
• Manning Clark: One of Australia's most influential historians. As a professor of history at the Australian National University, he created the monumental six-volume work "A History of Australia", which is considered a classic. His life and work in Canberra had a huge impact on Australians' understanding of their national identity.
• Mia Wasikowska: A world-famous actress born and raised in Canberra. She is one of the most recognisable contemporary figures associated with the city. Having received international recognition for roles in films such as "Alice in Wonderland" and "Jane Eyre", she often speaks warmly of her hometown.