Best practice models for effective consultation towards improving built environment outcomes for remote Indigenous communities

Summary

This research identified cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary consultation methods to engage remote Indigenous communities and service providers in developing appropriate and sustainable improvements to housing environments. The study involved fieldwork in remote Indigenous communities, as well as interviews with architects, builders and others. It examined consultation protocols and methods used for built environment projects in remote aboriginal communities as exemplified in the Ngaanyatjarra lands and the Anangu Pitjantnatnara lands of Western Australia and South Australia. The research found that consultation to improve housing outcomes in remote Indigenous communities often fail due to a disregard for cultural and domestic issues, a lack of coordination between service providers and the absence of uniform national, state and local government guidelines. Standardised housing and planning solutions often fail in remote communities because the narrow meaning of housing may not encompass cultural and domestic issues, for example, overcrowding cannot be overcome simply by providing more bedrooms. Protocols for cross-cultural and cross disciplinary consultation, project management for coordination and a database to provide common information would address some of these issues.

Project Number: 40184
Research Theme: Indigenous_housing
Project Leader: Lee, Gini
Funding Year: 2002
Research Centre: Southern

Research & Policy Bulletin

Issue 060: Best practice models for effective consultation towards improving built environment outcomes for remote Indigenous communities

Consultation in remote Indigenous communities that seek to improve housing outcomes fail due to a disregard for cultural and domestic issues, a lack of coordination between service providers, and the absence of uniform national, state and local government guidelines. Protocols for cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary consultation, project management for coordination and a database to provide common information are required.

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Description

Using fieldwork in remote Indigenous communities and 17 interviews with built environment practitioners (architects, builders, etc) the research identifies cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary consultation methods that engage remote Indigenous communities and service providers in developing appropriate and sustainable improvements to housing environments.

The key findings of the research are:

The multi-dimensional and interrelated issues of the built environments of remote Indigenous communities are not recognised by the limited or narrow meaning of housing.
Standardised housing and planning solutions fail in remote Indigenous communities—for example, overcrowding will not be solved by providing more bedrooms alone.
Disregard for climatic and topographical contexts, and co-ordination deficiencies between service providers are common failings that lead to dysfunctional built environments.
A national database of cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary consultation regarding built environment programs would serve the mutual interests of clients and service providers by reducing the need for repeated and often invasive consultation.
Post-occupancy evaluations for the communities are essential to the sustainability of positive outcomes.

More Information

Research and Policy Bulletin: Issue 060: Best practice models for effective consultation towards improving built environment outcomes for remote Indigenous communities
65 KB PDF Document

Positioning Paper: No. 072: Best practice models for effective consultation towards improving built environment outcomes for remote indigenous communities
1.5 MB PDF Document

Final Report: No. 076: Best practice models for effective consultation towards improving built environment outcomes for remote Indigenous communities
1.11 MB PDF Document

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