Abstract
Parramatta's population is predicted to almost double in the next 20 years. My street, like so many others, has recently been rezoned for high-density living. Many of these houses are being sold to developers. It's a local story but it's also a national one: suburbs near our cities are disappearing everywhere along with the crucial histories of Australian life they represent. Australia is still a suburban nation: 70% of us live in the suburbs and this figure is increasing with the rapid growth of "McMansion" areas in the far outskirts of our cities.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Type | Article for The Conversation |
| Media of output | Online |
| Publisher | The Conversation Media Group |
| Publication status | Published - 26 May 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Research BackgroundThis work was developed over a six month period in which I interviewed twelve of my neighbours in their homes about their relationship to their home and the street. I then worked with Australia’s most well-known suburban photographer Garry Trinh, in order to photograph the interview subjects in their home. My street is one of the last streets in Parramatta that contain houses and its now being knocked down to make way for the apartment buildings that represent the rapid growth and urbanisation of the area, as well as Australia’s current housing crisis.
Research Contribution
By combining the research I have done into suburban cultures, housing design and urbanisation with my own personal story and the stories of my neighbours I was able to offer a unique contribution to the analysis of suburban culture and its rapid changes during a period of mass urbanisation and housing crisis.
Evidence of Excellence
According to The Conversation’s website the original article had more than 12,600 unique readers. In addition to this I was interviewed about the article on ABC Radio National, ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Radio Adelaide and ABC Northern Territory. The article was also syndicated by eleven other online news sites.
Keywords
- Parramatta, suburbia, urbanisation, housing crisis
