YOUNG inner city dwellers are shunning cars and delaying getting their driver’s licences because it is easier to cycle, take public transport or walk to work and leisure activities.

More people are embracing the convenient central Melbourne lifestyle amid an apartment boom, but experts are warning city planners that more public open space is needed to maintain livability.

South Yarra couple Austin Cram and Tonie-Rayne Steele, both 21, have no reason to drive in the city.

“I only have 30 minutes on my L-plates,” said Mr Cram.

“I ride everywhere, I just don’t need a car. I work and go to university in the city.”

Both agree that a car is not necessary when they have excellent choice in public transport.

“I’d say it does the job fine most of the time,” said Ms Steele.

“The system is pretty reliable. People just like to complain about it.”

Visiting Canadian planning expert Jennifer Keesmaat said that the rapidly growing cohort of 18-34 year olds in Toronto was driving an inner city living boom.

“That demographic is choosing not to get their driver’s licences but instead are opting to live in the walkable core of the city,” she said.

“Mowing the lawn on Saturday morning is out. They are choosing to live in an environment where they can walk to work or take a short transit ride or a short cycle.”

But Ms Keesmaat, who is Toronto’s Chief Planner and last week addressed the Victorian State Planning Conference in Warrnambool, said it was vital that sufficient open space and recreational areas were provided in high-density environments to ensure that people stayed once they had children.

“It’s a real risk to be adding a lot of density without adding the public space and ensuring there’s a very high quality public realm,” she said.

Committee for Melbourne CEO Kate Roffey said higher density living was needed to put a brake on urban sprawl, but building more apartment towers without the opportunity for residents to be physically active was a recipe for problems.

“We’re at a point now that we need to density but we need to plan for meaningful public open spaces,” she said.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy has said that new urban renewal projects such as Fishermans Bend will have significant areas set aside for parks, ovals, bike paths and other public open spaces.

john.masanauskas@news.com.au