Mount Druitt

MOUNT DRUITT

SYDNEY NSW | 1961-1970

NSW Housing Commission

The NSW Housing Commission built multiple, extremely large public housing suburbs in the 1960s that experimented with Radburn planning principles. Originated in 1928, the Radburn design has houses built along cul-de-sacs and facing ‘back-to-front’, with garages towards the street while the fronts open on to public green space. This meant a separation of cars and pedestrians, particularly children, with large communal areas between the rows of houses to encourage outdoor activity and a sense of community. 

While the new estate saw the local population rise significantly, the delivery of public housing was not matched by increases in public transport, accessible jobs, health and support services. The estate was also populated exclusively with families suffering from high levels of social exclusion, unemployment and low incomes.

The Radburn design added to the area’s problems. It was difficult for residents to monitor the public, open green space in front of the houses. This in turn provided an easy escape routes for thieves. In an attempt to provide security from antisocial behaviour in the green laneways, fencing was built around the houses which further prevented surveillance and community interaction.