This is most definitely not a counter example. Melbourne is almost 200 years old, it is very young compared to the European cities being cited. You also point o

This is most definitely not a counter example. Melbourne is almost 200 years old, it is very young compared to the European cities being cited. You also point out how the city was rough until someone decided to do something about it 20 years ago. The OP I assume would refer to NYC as a 'fast growing city' (around 400 years old) compared to somewhere like London or Madrid which have both been there for over 2,000 years.