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Media Release

April 1, 2005

UniSA study asks what it is like to live in socially mixed neighbourhoods

The riots in Sydney’s Mcquarie Fields have fuelled refreshed debate into just what makes a functional neighbourhood – is it the planning, the type of housing, the social mix of the residents or a range of other factors?

Focussing on Adelaide’s Southern and Northern suburbs, UniSA is about to launch a study that will test the theory that neighbourhoods made up of a mix of people with different income levels and housing types are good places to live.

UniSA researcher Dr Kathy Arthurson is looking at whether areas with a ‘social mix’ of residents - people with a range of income levels and a variety of housing tenure types, including public housing, private rental housing, and owner-occupier housing - create more stable and vigorous communities.

The research, focussing on Mitchell Park, Northfield and Hillcrest, is funded through the Australian Research Council. Dr Arthurson says in the past 10 years all three areas have undergone a series of changes to attract homeowners to the areas and disperse concentrations of public housing.

“I am interested in people’s own perceptions of what it is like to live in their socially mixed areas and how this impacts on their quality of life,” Dr Arthurson says.

“I want to know if residents believe there are any improvements in access to services and other opportunities, particularly for people on low incomes.”

The survey will be posted out to 800 households in the next few weeks and will be followed up by interviews with some residents.

“I want to hear from a wide range of people and especially long term residents who may have witnessed the evolution from a mainly public housing environment to one that includes a range of housing options including privately owned homes,” Dr Arthurson says.

The interviews will be facilitated by one of the research team and participants will receive a $20 shopping voucher for their involvement. The interviews will involve casual discussion about topics, such as people’s experiences of living in the local area, and what kind of opportunities and services are available and who residents socialise with in their everyday life.

All information collected, including personal information, will remain confidential and no information which could lead to the identification of any individual will be made public.

Residents living in the study suburbs who want to contribute to this research and would like to be interviewed can register your interest at UniSA on 8302 1784.

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