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“There's Something about Subi”: Defending and Creating Neighbourhood Character in Perth, Australia

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  • Gethin Davison
  • Emma Rowden

Abstract

Planning policy in Australian cities currently favours a more compact urban form, but proposals for higher-density development are frequently resisted by residents who argue that the ‘character’ of a place would be damaged or destroyed. This paper explores the factors underlying this resistance and assesses the extent to which character can be designed for. The paper relates a case study of the Perth suburb of Subiaco, where the design of a major redevelopment project was shaped by the form of surrounding areas, but where long-standing residents claim that it is ‘out of character’ nonetheless. Reflecting on the case through theories of place, urban design and ‘affordances’, it is suggested that this rejection of the project owes much to the way that urban designers focused on replicating certain physical features of Subiaco's character, while neglecting a host of everyday social and experiential meanings that were of equal significance to residents.

Suggested Citation

  • Gethin Davison & Emma Rowden, 2012. "“There's Something about Subi”: Defending and Creating Neighbourhood Character in Perth, Australia," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(2), pages 189-212.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:cjudxx:v:17:y:2012:i:2:p:189-212
    DOI: 10.1080/13574809.2012.666386
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    Cited by:

    1. Abu Yousuf Swapan & Joo Hwa Bay & Dora Marinova, 2018. "Built Form and Community Building in Residential Neighbourhoods: A Case Study of Physical Distance in Subiaco, Western Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Soheil Sabri & Abbas Rajabifard & Serene Ho & Sam Amirebrahimi & Ian Bishop, 2016. "Leveraging VGI Integrated with 3D Spatial Technology to Support Urban Intensification in Melbourne, Australia," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 1(2), pages 32-48.

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