Design Practice 3A – Research Phase Georgie Blix 0420016, David Budd 0412003, Sue Cai 0420298, Lauren Esdaile 0419029
HISTORY/BACKGROUND AND PRINCIPLES OF THE REDFERN SOCIAL PLAN
Problems in the Aboriginal Community: Australia vs. Redfern
In trying to gain a better understanding of the Redfern community, Angie Pitts’ report highlights the causes and effects of the problems existing in the wider Aboriginal community and how they are reflected in the micro Aboriginal community in Redfern.
Urban Aboriginal communities are uniformly at a greater disadvantage than their rural counterparts, mainly due to less government support, access to schemes and services, and a loss of cultural identity.
Sydney is a very competitive city; many migrating Aborigines find themselves at a social disadvantage due to lack of education and skills, which makes it difficult for them to access social services and schemes in the job market. The isolation of the Aboriginal community, seen particularly in Redfern, is brought about not only due to racial discrimination, but also as a result of the public’s lack of understanding of the changing needs of urban Aboriginal communities.
Lack of appropriate living space in Redfern is exacerbated by migrating rural Aborigines who use Redfern as their first point to call upon entry to the urban community, thus increasing population density in Redfern. This has lead to a rise in transient and homeless people living in temporary shelters within The Block.
Even with the increase in rural-urban migration and adaptation into the wider community, Aboriginal people continue to hold on to their traditional values and practices, as seen in Redfern. However, due to the lack of appropriate housing and the environment, the level of Aboriginal value practices within the urban community is less than those of their rural counterparts.
The other major social problems primarily existing in the Redfern district are crime, drugs and alcohol. This is not helped by some of the elders who have turned a blind eye to the drug trade and thus have indirectly perpetuated the problem.
Past Attempts for Redevelopment
Many past planning attempts have failed to adequately address the social disadvantages on the site because they ignored the need for an integrated social planning response. One case was in the early 1980s, when attempts were made to renovate several of the existing terraces on The Block. This project essentially failed due to the increase of drug culture and an extremely under- resourced property management facility.
The continuing social disadvantagment of the site has lead to the AHC taking control and initiating a complete redevelopment of the site, and as the first stage of progress, realised the need to commission a social plan. This involved a long and painstaking research process, which not only looked into the historical records of the area and its people, but also involved consulting the residents of the site to gain a greater understanding of what the project had to achieve in design, function, management etc as well as the site’s cultural and personal significance to its people.
From these studies, a set of objectives and goals have been developed specific to the needs and expectation of the aboriginal community in Redfern. Design Practice 3A – Research Phase Georgie Blix 0420016, David Budd 0412003, Sue Cai 0420298, Lauren Esdaile 0419029
The Social Plan – 12 Goals Reconciliation and Social harmony o Encourage interaction and respect amongst the aboriginal community and between aboriginal and non aboriginal people o Reflect and embrace the multiculturalism of Redfern
Appropriate and Affordable Housing o Provide a variety of housing options appropriate to the lifestyle of Aboriginal people o Ensure the redevelopment is long lasting and sustainable o Provide housing which is easily maintained and serviced Culturally Appropriate Services and facility Needs o Identify the main needs of the community and liaise with service providers to provide adequate services o Ensure that all needed services are unique and complement existing strategies o Improve accessibility to appropriate services Community Safety o Reduce street crime and drug dealing to create a safer community Support for families, Women and Children o Promote and provide facilities that encourage people to access programs promoting parenting, health and family support o Promote sporting and recreational activities and zones for youth to build self esteem and health Aboriginal Healthcare o Create a healthy environment by discoursing drug use and dealing o Promote services dealing with exercise, diet, lifestyle, drug and alcohol rehab and reconciliation Aboriginal identity, Culture and Spirituality o Provide programs and appropriate places for practising traditional Aboriginal spiritual and cultural values o Realising the cultural and historical significance of Redfern o Encourage a positive identity of Redfern and its people, and surrounding areas and thus enhance living standards and lifestyle o Provide spaces for Aboriginal artistic and cultural expression Training, Skills development and Employment o Create opportunities for economic growth in the redevelopment Ownership and Management o Create a sense of ownership and responsibility amongst the local population o Put in place strong management facilities to provide maintenance of the site, buildings and spaces Aboriginal enterprise o Create opportunities for local endeavours and foster a business environment Environmental Sustainability o Follow sustainable ideals in all aspects of the site and its redevelopment Contact with Nature Design Practice 3A – Research Phase Georgie Blix 0420016, David Budd 0412003, Sue Cai 0420298, Lauren Esdaile 0419029
o Create a lifestyle which encourages safe outdoor living and connection to the environment