The Australian City and the Suburban Dream by Christy Stanford https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy en-us 2017-08-17 00:01:17 UTC 2026-02-20 10:31:57 UTC hello@padlet.com From 20th Century City to Suburbs cristicreme https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181351449 With all the ills of the 20th century urban spaces (poor sanitation, precarious racial/cultural integration, alienation, etc), people wanted to move into communities that were closer to nature, and further from the urban space. Mass suburbanization began after WWII, because of many different factors. ]]> 2017-08-17 00:09:08 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181351449 West End is itself a suburb cristicreme https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181352561 2017-08-17 00:20:07 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181352561 Queenslander Home cristicreme https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181742852 "The classic Queenslander is typically a single detached house made of timber and iron, and located on a separate block of land...adorned by external shading verandas."]]> 2017-08-20 02:46:21 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181742852 Queenslanders are being replaced by these... cristicreme https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181742930 2017-08-20 02:50:25 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181742930 Butler article "take aways" cristicreme https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181744103 - There are three dimensions of space: the mental, the physical, and the lived.
- Zoning strips a piece of land of both its mental and lived identity and makes it into a commodity.
- Suburbs were created with the motive of maximizing private spaces and minimizing public spaces, with an implicit anti-urban sentiment. ]]> 2017-08-20 04:00:57 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181744103 West End: Not your typical suburb? k_raw https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181748510 When discussing what constitutes as a suburb, Wirth (1938) claims that population heterogeneity must be key to create urban ways of life. As a result, suburbs usually comprise of a distinct social and ethnic class; usually middle class families, owning their own cars and homes. These residents have separate lives from one other as the need for community collaborations become less important as individuals have the ability, with their own cars, to live a life without needing the physical or social support of a community. Due to these reasons, one could argue that even though West End is a suburb of Brisbane it defies the typical associations when suburbanisation is discussed for the case of Australia. In the case of ethnicity, Connor (2011) discusses how West End includes a wide range of different ethnic groups, while MacDonald (2016) suggests that there is an inter-mix of culture between the Greek, Vietnamese and Indigenous populations with the rest of the inhabitants. This goes against the one class structure as proposed as a result of suburbanisation. Today, it is increasingly common for people in suburbs to not know their neighbours (Clapson and Hutchinson, 2010), however MacDonald (2016) recounts that West End is place where people say hello to one another on the street, creating a strong community feel. 

Consequently it is important to consider where West End fits into the rhetoric of suburbanisation. Even though it does possess the geographical attribute of a suburb, it is not as developed as typical suburbs in Australia. This could be due to its closeness in proximity and similarities to city centre life, or due to the community ability to reject the overwhelming and decentralising process of suburbanization. 

References:

Clapson, M and Hutchinson, R. eds. (2010). Suburbanisation in Global Society. Research in Urban Sociology. Vol 10. 

Conor, M. (2011). Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: A Community Profile of West End and Highgate Hill. Retrieved 14/08/19. From  http://communityplus.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/West-End-Community-Profile-2013-Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow.pdf.

MacDonald. (2016, August 9). Eclectric and multicultural West End is Brisbane’s answer to Byron Bay. The Courier Mail. Retrieved from: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/eclectic-and-multicultural-west-end-is-brisbanes-answer-to-byron-bay/news-story/7b8c10c9902961b26fa9b0af945eeff3

Wirth, L. (1938). "Urbanism as a Way of Life." The American Journal of Sociology, 44(1), 1-24. 

]]> 2017-08-20 07:37:09 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181748510 Out with the old, in with the new georgia_harries https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181840094 The once humble and strategically built West End is being shaped and changed as one of Brisbane's inner-city hot spots. Not only for developers, but also for young professionals. 

West End is becoming more and more gentrified, with a substantial amount of new apartment blocks replacing the Queenslanders place. Queenslanders were built to be cool during the hot Brisbane weather and warm during our winter, boasting verandas, space, and functionality. Brisbane, undertaking a dramatic transformation which will shape history, plans to build more than 150,000 new dwellings to be built by 2031. 

With our forecasted population of 1.3 million (ABS, 2016), Brisbane City Council plans to completely transform our inner-city area, which means 50,000 new apartments to replace our once humble Queenslander. West End and surrounding suburbs e.g. South Brisbane and Highgate Hill have doubled in size in the last five years making land extremely valuable to build on. With the estimation of a fourfold increase, there is little evidence of planning for services to cater for this significant increase. 

West End is the last neighbourhood of its type in Brisbane; however, there are little amounts of policies which allow diversity to thrive, to benefits the wider metropolis, instead only an intensive developer-led 'second-wave gentrification (McCrea, 2013)]]> 2017-08-21 09:19:25 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/181840094 The backlash of gentrification in West End lucychaps23 https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182046622 While gentrification can be a positive thing to happen to a population in terms of development of an Australian City, within West End, with the creation and development of high-rise buildings, it has experienced some backlash amongst some of those within the community due to factors such an impact on the community identity. 
In August 2016, there was a march through the suburb of West End against a controversial development in the area. Around 150 people took to the streets to demonstrate their disapproval. The reason why some of the population were against the new developments of West End were due to Aboriginal families being unable to live in the area due to the rise in price of rent, leading to fears that the population will be forced to move out and lead to them being alienated within the community (Atfield, 2016). Councillor stated "It's about community and it's about culture and that's what motivates me to organise these events and take an interest in this issue," and then continued to say "Right now, I'm feeling that slipping away in the inner-city; that diverse, vibrant, connected community is fracturing and fragmenting.I'm seeing musicians and artists being priced out of the area and, as Uncle Sam (Watson) said, Aboriginal families are no longer able to afford to live in the area." As well as the march through the community, some painted the aboriginal flag on the floor expressing their anger at indigenous people being forced out of the area by gentrification. The flag was a reminder of the traditional owners of South Brisbane (Stockwell, 2016).

However, it is not only the Aboriginal community who are against the gentrification in West End. Some family run businesses which have been running in the area for generations have been forced to close down due to increasing rent and more competition. Furthermore, some culture and heritage have also been destroyed in order to develop the area, one being Hellenic house which was a Greek landmark which was demolished to construct high-rise apartments. Plans to redevelop the site into apartment buildings was a major blow for the Greek community and its many regular visitors who had to give up their favorite cultural hub (Artfield, 2016).

In conclusion, it could be suggested that rather than bringing the community together and developing the area, it is having the opposite effect; alienating original communities, destroying heritage and culture and also leading to the eradication of some family run businesses. 

 Artfield (2016) West End residents take development opposition to the streets. The Brisbane Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/west-end-residents-take-development-opposition-to-the-streets-20160821-gqxkap.html 

Stockwell (2016) 

Calls to remove Aboriginal flag painted on major intersection

. Quest Community News
- http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/huge-aboriginal-flag-painted-on-the-road-at-major-intersection-at-west-end/news-story/e7a93483f9cb5c16faac1af1c7e383fd -  
]]> 2017-08-22 10:42:24 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182046622 Aboriginal activists painting of flag which demostartes their disapproval of gentrification in the area. lucychaps23 https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182049752 2017-08-22 11:13:17 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182049752 West End: A Lived Experience LucyLee https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182208233 Interview with 19 year old West End resident- Amelia Westerman

How would you describe your relationship with West End?
I've lived in West End pretty much my whole life. It's always been my home and the source of some pretty good childhood memories. It has such a lively and unique personality and the community is very diverse - I love that the people who live here can embrace that about it and it's a pretty good community actually. I love that it has its own magazine and sometimes there are street events, like the annual Roller Derby which is heaps of fun and a great showcase of the different people who live here. It's close to the city but just far away enough to still be a separate neighbourhood and its location in the little pocket of the river bend gives it a pretty sweet river view and proximity to the parks, ferry and plenty of bus stops. I love West End, I think a part of me will always consider it home.

Do you think West End resembles or differs from other suburbs in Brisbane? In what ways?
 I think West End differs from other suburbs - a lot of suburbs tend to have that residential vibe where it's just a place that people happen to live together in but with West End, I feel like so many people have embraced it as also being a bit of a cultural hub - it has all these groovy cafes and nifty little shops. The long-time residents of West End are really tight-knit and i think they even all know each other - they definitely band together when they want change, which i find pretty impressive.

Where do you think West End is heading in the future? Are you happy with this direction?
I'm not sure if i'm happy with what West End is becoming. On the one hand, I want more people to be living in the same space because it's better for the environment and if it can be done well, then you can give a lot of people access to great services and facilities and potentially eliminate the need for cars, what with everything they need being so close. On the other hand, expanding it so much i feel drains some of its character - the heavy traffic, the place slowly becoming more busy and rushed, the tall ugly black buildings (why black?? Don't they know it'll increase the heat island effect and cost them more electricity because of the need for internal cooling??) slowly dominating the stretch. It's all a bit overwhelming for West End's originally laid back, hippie nature. Again, I think it all depends on how things go and if we can make this work with some careful planning but my guess is that that's probably a bit too hopeful for something as chaotically structured as Brisbane.
]]> 2017-08-22 22:21:58 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182208233 lucychaps23 https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182212846 2017-08-22 23:19:04 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182212846 Comparison to other suburbs cristicreme https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182234570 It is technically a suburb, but the way it came to be differs than a traditional suburb. Some of the distinct differences are: lack of anti-urban ideology, lots of public spaces, diversity instead of homogeneity, organic planning instead of zoning models, widespread use of public transport, visible homeless population, and not centered around middle class consumption. ]]> 2017-08-23 02:19:23 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182234570 COMMUNITY! shaniamarie1 https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182238403
  • Diverse demographics, including high proportion of working class
  • Ethnic diversity
  • High proportion of students, musicians, artists
  • Homeless population
    • - Overall, community is much stronger than suburbia because there's more life outside indoor living + more public engagement

    McCrea, R. & Walters, P. (2014). Early Gentrification and the Public Realm: A Case Study of West End in Brisbane, Australia. Urban Studies, 51(2), 355-370. Retrieved from http://journals.sagepub.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1177/0042098013489748.
    ]]>     2017-08-23 02:44:17 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182238403     Spatial Politics in West End LucyLee https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182239097
  • Creative 'moments' within everyday life and struggles for developments of 'counter-space' (Butler, 2005, p. 27)
  • Urbanism is crucial to resist the homogeneity and control imposed by the state that manifests itself in suburbia (Butler, 2005, p.27)

    • = evident in West End in community opposition to high-rise development and 'top-down' gentrification 

    Butler, C. (2005).  Reading the production of suburbia in post-war Australia. Law Text Culture 9, 11-33.
    ]]>     2017-08-23 02:49:03 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182239097     Place & Identity shaniamarie1 https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182239376 Topophilia-  connection between place & people much as seen in West End. Both an affective response to place, but also a practice that can actively produce paces for people

    Sense of place- A feeling that you belong and feel comfortable in a place because part of how you define yourself is symbolised by certain qualities of that place --> West End residents tend to have a strong sense of topophilia and sense of place

    Thick and Thin places- The thicker it is the deeper the community is rooted into it- West End would definitely be a thick place based on the unconscious of making it a home, even though in this day and age globalisation has led to 'thinning out of places'

    Easthope, H. (2004). "A Place Called Home." Housing, Theory and Society, 21, 128-138.]]>     2017-08-23 02:51:00 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182239376     A 'top-down' gentrified future? LucyLee https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182239794 2017-08-23 02:54:05 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182239794 shaniamarie1 https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182241274 2017-08-23 03:07:09 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182241274 Future impacts on the homeless population of West End mutiara_azka https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182243809
  • Community Friends; located in Horan St. West End, they have been providing around 1200 free meals to people in need every week. Free meals provided every 4 pm on Wednesday at 155 Boundary St.
  • Not only giving away free meals, the Community Friends are also encouraging and facilitating the homeless community of West End to speak out their mind and their concern.
  • However, they space they have been using is currently listed as "toilet blocks" by Brisbane City Council. And Council spoke person advised that "there will be no community storage space in the new toilet block", but they didn't really elaborate on how the site will function in the future. 
  • Thus, as for now, the future for the homeless' meeting point in West End remains uncertain.  
    • Source:
    https://www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au/Queensland/Brisbane/Welfare_Assistance___Services/General_Welfare___Support_Services/110497/Community_Friends_-_West_End
    http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/future-of-meeting-point-for-south-brisbanes-homeless-population-remains-uncertain/news-story/87c17bf8f85a2ce49f00b91c042648c3
    ]]>     2017-08-23 03:23:54 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182243809     Markets georgia_harries https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182262438 West End boasts numerous weekly markets which have a variety of stalls and something for everyone to have a look it. Davies Park Markets are a Not For Profit Organisation where you can run a stall for free. They take pride in organically and ethically grown produce, with some of their stalls dedicated to the produce produced on their farm e.g. they only sell their certified organic eggs grown on their farm.

    Another market, Boundary Street Market, where you can find fresh produce from over 100 stall holders, local artists and designers.

    Markets are a really effective way of bringing together members of not only the local community but also surrounding to come together and support local business. Many relationships get formed with the buyer and supplier which enforces the ideology to buy locally as you're then supporting a local family.
    http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/things-to-do/shopping/markets?sc_lang=en-au ]]>     2017-08-23 06:33:55 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182262438     Transportation in the Suburbs bellabarclay98 https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182266852 The 1910 Ford Model T brought motoring, previously a pastime of the wealthy, into the homes of the average Australians. By 1929, four out of five families owned a car, and by 1920 new developments were designed to accommodate these new motorists. 

    These developments, which no longer relied on walkability, were sprawled out with often curvilinear streets. Sidewalks were beginning to be omitted, and access to public transit was a non-issue.

    The invention of the automobile has given rise to other forms of transportation, particularly public transport. Public gives the oppurtunity to those who live within the city and the suburbs to travel around easily and cost effectively. 

    Given that West end is in close proximity it has been dubbed one of the 'Best Brisbane Suburbs for Public Transport'. ]]>     2017-08-23 07:10:23 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182266852     19 year old West End resident, Amelia Westerman LucyLee https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182455726 2017-08-23 22:03:34 UTC https://padlet.com/cristicreme/g4yywvx145yy/wish/182455726