Housing and community in the compact city
Summary
This work examined the links between increased dwelling densities introduced through urban consolidation policy and the spatial concentration of socio-economic disadvantage in Melbourne. While the project was not able to conclusively link socioeconomic disadvantage and densification, it found that sites of concentration of disadvantage were likely to develop in some so-called holdenist middle suburbs – those suburbs characterised by low quality non-heritage housing stock, in areas settled in the post-war period, such as Broadmeadows, Sunshine, Frankston and Kingston. These locations were deemed to be likely locations of cheaper in-fill developments and increased rental stock suitable for low-income households. There was some evidence to suggest that these suburbs were attracting low-income populations largely because of higher rates of exit by higher income groups.
Project Number: 50224
Research Theme: Urban planning and Development
Project Leader: Birrell, Bob
Funding Year: 2003
Research Centre: Swinburne-Monash
Research & Policy Bulletin
Issue 079: How does housing density affect disadvantage across the city?
Infill housing in middle ring suburbs is a destination for low-income, disadvantaged households in the private rental market.
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184 KB PDF Document
Description
Studies of Australia's major metropolises have shown that there is increasing differentiation in housing prices and that as a consequence large sectors of the community are being excluded from high amenity areas. There is a parallel tendency for households with limited resources to gravitate to areas offering relatively low housing costs. These are referred to as residuals in this study. However, there is no satisfactory theory as to why certain locations become residuals or what the consequences are for the communities in question. The absence of such theory is a serious matter because governments are currently pursuing new compact city policies on the suburban frontiers. In particular, high density policies are being encouraged in greenfield areas in a context where the residents being accommodated are largely drawn from households with relatively limited resources. It is the implications of these policies that are the main focus of this research.
In order to assess these implications it was necessary to examine the factors which appear to explain why particular locations within existing suburbia become residuals. This was done by first identifying residual areas (with the empirical focus being Melbourne). An inventory of possible factors was developed which could explain the residualising process. These could include the dated quality of the housing stock, the existence of high density units, distance from amenity and the areas reputation. Next, the consequences for the communities involved and the housing stock was explored. It was hypothesised that a vicious circle of decline is likely to ensue as households with the resources to move out do so and those who have no choice but to locate in the areas because of low resources replace them. This decline may include a reduction in the proportion of home owners and in the level of maintenance of the dwellings.
The research examined both outer suburbs and those middle areas which were outer suburbs when built in the 1950s and 1960s. A group of these type of subdivisions was chosen for detailed analysis along with a control group of subdivisions in similar locations which were not. The factors which appear to explain the differential outcomes were then explored. One major focus was on the extent to which high densities have contributed to the residual process. The hypothesis was that when households with limited resources concentrate in high density settings this tends to exacerbate social problems. Additional tensions are likely to arise from the difficulties of creating a conventional suburban feel given the absence of space for tall shrubs or trees and the cluttering resulting from tight verges and narrow road pavements. These hypotheses were examined through an examination of relevant social statistics, through high resolution photographic and mapping techniques and through direct observation in the field.
More Information
Research and Policy Bulletin: Issue 079: How does housing density affect disadvantage across the city?
184 KB PDF Document
Positioning Paper: No. 066: Housing and community in the compact city
3.6 MB PDF Document
Final Report: No. 089: Housing and community in the compact city
3.37 MB PDF Document
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