An interesting article about how Melbourne will become unliveable in the next 40-50 years.

MELBOURNE'S population could explode to almost 8 million by 2056, placing massive strain on the city's public transport, water supplies and rapidly expanding urban boundary.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-of-8-million-unliveable-20080904-49xo.html

I dont think unliveable is a fair assessment. It will become more crowded of course, in fact it already has, you only have to look at the high density housing going on, 5 townhouses on a quarter acre block is now the norm. I am also sure that if no other option is available the government will be forced to step in and upgrade roads, schools and transport. (like the desalination project which initially they said they wouldnt do)

We also need to start thinking - why do we need 4 bedroom houses when most of us only use 2 or three. The days of building large homes may not continue forever. I'm not saying it will get like Japan but we need to seriously rethink our housing policy.