Personal profile
Biography
I am an environmental geographer and an early career researcher with a PhD in urban and regional planning from the University of Sydney, working at the intersection of urban planning, housing design quality, accessibility, and social policy. My research focuses on how strategic and social urban planning can enhance community well-being by addressing social inequities, particularly in housing and service provision. My thesis explored residential satisfaction in high-rise apartments in Fairfield, Sydney, highlighting design inadequacies, strata management issues, and their impact on resident well-being—especially in lower socio-economic areas where cost-cutting affects design standards. This work has shaped my broader interest in uplifting housing and accessibility standards in Australia. Beyond housing, I have contributed to a First Nations disability project, co-designing an organisational assessment tool to help non-Indigenous organisations provide culturally safe services. I also work on a rural research project investigating barriers to aged care access for culturally and racially marginalised families, with a focus on intersectional oppressions related to rurality, race, and ageing. My current research focus on triple equity dimensions and inclusive housing in freestanding and multi-owned developments in Australia. My methodological expertise includes quantitative analysis (SPSS), qualitative analysis (NVivo), and GIS.
Research interests
Member of the Urban Transformation Research Centre, Western Sydney University.
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/urban-transformations/about/our-people/members
Related links
Qualifications
Master of Science, University of Kerala
Bachelor of Education, University of Kerala
Bachelor of Science, University of Kerala
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
Research keywords
- Accessibility, housing design, intersectional lens
- disability, ageing, cultural safety
- universal housing design, livable housing design
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 13 Climate Action
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Improving accessibility in strata housing: barriers and policy directions in Australia
Sajan, J., 2026, Conference Program: 8th International Research Forum on Multi-Owned Properties, UNSW Sydney, Australia, 28-30 January 2026. UNSW City Futures Research Centre, 1 p.Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Conference Paper › peer-review
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Care experiences of older people from culturally and racially marginalised (CaRM) backgrounds in rural NSW communities
Sewabu, L., Sajan, J., Drake, G., Tusasiirwe, S., Bi, R., Irwin, P., Magee, D. & Burmeister, O., 2025, Bridging the Gap: Rural Health Research Symposium 2025: Advancing Rural Health Through Research and Innovation, 17-18 June 2025, Orange, N.S.W.. Orange, N.S.W.: Charles Sturt University, 1 p.Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Conference Paper
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Designing disability-inclusive, affordable, and sustainable homes in Australia: a path to a net zero future
Sajan, J. & Piracha, A., 2025, SOAC Conference Abstract Book: State of Australasian Cities Conference 2025, 9-12 December, Brisbane, Queensland. Brisbane, Qld.: Australasian Cities Research Network, p. 38-38 1 p.Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Conference Paper › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Exploring the care experiences of older people from culturally and racially marginalised (CaRM) backgrounds in rural NSW communities: Final Project report
Sewabu, L., Tusasiirwe, S., Sajan, J., Drake, G., Bi, R., Irwin, P., Magee, D. & Burmeister, O., 2025, Western Sydney University- Charles Sturt University Joint Project.Research output: Book/Research Report › Research report
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Indigenous disability and inclusion WELF 3023
Sajan, J., 2024, Enabling Ability: Connecting Disability Research, Education and Services in Greater Western Sydney, 10th September 2024, Bankstown City Campus, Western Sydney University. Penrith, N.S.W.: Western Sydney University, p. 33-33 1 p.Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Conference Paper
3 Downloads (Pure)
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Migration and Economic Adaptation in Burwood: Housing Built Form and Local Commercial Transformation (Master of City Planning Thesis, UNSW)
Sajan, J. (Mentor)
2026 → …Activity: Other › Mentor
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Who Owns the Street? Sensory Atmospheres and Place Identity on Strathfield (Master of City Planning Thesis, UNSW)
Sajan, J. (Mentor)
2026 → …Activity: Other › Mentor
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Towards Disability-Inclusive, Affordable and Net-Zero Housing: A Policy and Design Analysis.”
Sajan, J. (Other)
30 Sept 2025Activity: Other
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Western Open Day
Sajan, J. (Contributor)
6 Jul 2025Activity: Conferences, Events and Workshops › Event
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The impact of open space on users' lives and communities: A case study of Randwick (Master of City Planning Thesis Supervisor, UNSW) Mentor
Sajan, J. (Mentor)
Jan 2025 → May 2025Activity: Other