Urban Decline
Urban decline: changes within a city causing activities to move elsewhere, leaving former housing, factory and warehouse areas abandoned and derelict*
Redfern is a prime example of a Sydney suburb experiencing urban decline. Like many other suburbs experiencing the urban issue, Redfern has a close proximity to the city's CBD.
History
Redfern was initially used by early settlers for grazing as well as its water supply which was utilised by groups living off brick and wool industries. Industries such as began developing in the region in 1853 by building residences such as terraces and worker's cottages. Many industries brought in workers and their families from surrounding suburbs to Redfern such as Eveleigh's Railway Workshops which attracted 3,000 workers to the suburb contributing heavily to a peak in residential population in the 1880's. Over the following years industries including brickworks, tanneries and local markets selling fresh produce boosted the population as well as facilities such as railways. During WW2, the government held back on housing support for the Redfern population however the post war period which followed brought with it increased housing funds which resulted in an even higher resident population in Redfern. To cater for the now thriving residential suburb, transport services, employment opportunities and public services and amenities were made available. However by the 1950's Redfern encountered a significant problem- they were starting to run out of space and existing housing was in poor condition. The Cumberland City Council responded by introducing high-density housing to suppress the urban sprawl by moving 'upwards rather than outwards'. Initiatives were proposed and implemented to achieve this. One instance was the introduction of multi-storey flats to accomodate for more people in a smaller amount of space. The Housing Commission responsible for this transferred many residents from main Redfern streets and roads to other temporary residences while their homes were being converted to the mentioned multi-storey residences. For the duration of the next 20 years, 6 blocks in Redfern had most if not all residences converted to high density units however upon completion, most transferred residents declined the offer to return opting to stay in their current residences on the outskirts of the suburb. Consequently most of Redfern's central regions have been left in a state of urban decay due to many industries leaving after the decline in resident numbers. Even though local governments have since been attempting to gentrify effected areas, most of Redfern still remains in urban decline.
Reasons
Redfern's decay was primarily the result of mismanagement by the local council authorities when organising the higher-density housing. Had they organised the movement of residents in a more diligent manner, the residents would have returned to the centre of the city which would consequently prevent the closing down of industries and hence allow Redfern to continue as a fairly successful suburb economically and demographically.
Impact
Because of urban decline, Redfern was faced with severe economic turmoil due to lack of employment and workers. As a result the suburb attracted many residents with lower income expectations and consequently created lower living standards making Redfern mostly reliant on blue-collar industries for economic support. The economic decline also drew in many residents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who currently account for 2.4% of the population according to the 2011 census. In terms of the impact on marital status on the population, Redfern has extremely high divorce rates with 45.7% of marriages ending in separation. Domestic violence and alcohol consumption are also contemporary problems facing the suburb due to urban decline. Despite its close proximity to the city, Redfern is deemed with very little regard by residents from neighbouring suburbs in Sydney and often avoided because of its low social and economic standing. Redfern's urban decline has also manifested itself in the physical environment. Abandoned warehouses and buildings, degenerated roads, decrepit townhouses and failed public transport are only a few signs of the damage urban decline has caused in the once thriving suburb. As previously discussed, once the industries decided to pack their bags and leave Redfern, many of their factories were left unclaimed and the government didn't prioritise utilising the occupied land for better purposes preferring to leave the deserted buildings as they are.
Signs of urban decay in Redfern are still present in most regions of the suburb however efforts have and are presently being made by local authorities and governments to gentrify the areas impacted by urban decline.
History
Redfern was initially used by early settlers for grazing as well as its water supply which was utilised by groups living off brick and wool industries. Industries such as began developing in the region in 1853 by building residences such as terraces and worker's cottages. Many industries brought in workers and their families from surrounding suburbs to Redfern such as Eveleigh's Railway Workshops which attracted 3,000 workers to the suburb contributing heavily to a peak in residential population in the 1880's. Over the following years industries including brickworks, tanneries and local markets selling fresh produce boosted the population as well as facilities such as railways. During WW2, the government held back on housing support for the Redfern population however the post war period which followed brought with it increased housing funds which resulted in an even higher resident population in Redfern. To cater for the now thriving residential suburb, transport services, employment opportunities and public services and amenities were made available. However by the 1950's Redfern encountered a significant problem- they were starting to run out of space and existing housing was in poor condition. The Cumberland City Council responded by introducing high-density housing to suppress the urban sprawl by moving 'upwards rather than outwards'. Initiatives were proposed and implemented to achieve this. One instance was the introduction of multi-storey flats to accomodate for more people in a smaller amount of space. The Housing Commission responsible for this transferred many residents from main Redfern streets and roads to other temporary residences while their homes were being converted to the mentioned multi-storey residences. For the duration of the next 20 years, 6 blocks in Redfern had most if not all residences converted to high density units however upon completion, most transferred residents declined the offer to return opting to stay in their current residences on the outskirts of the suburb. Consequently most of Redfern's central regions have been left in a state of urban decay due to many industries leaving after the decline in resident numbers. Even though local governments have since been attempting to gentrify effected areas, most of Redfern still remains in urban decline.
Reasons
Redfern's decay was primarily the result of mismanagement by the local council authorities when organising the higher-density housing. Had they organised the movement of residents in a more diligent manner, the residents would have returned to the centre of the city which would consequently prevent the closing down of industries and hence allow Redfern to continue as a fairly successful suburb economically and demographically.
Impact
Because of urban decline, Redfern was faced with severe economic turmoil due to lack of employment and workers. As a result the suburb attracted many residents with lower income expectations and consequently created lower living standards making Redfern mostly reliant on blue-collar industries for economic support. The economic decline also drew in many residents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who currently account for 2.4% of the population according to the 2011 census. In terms of the impact on marital status on the population, Redfern has extremely high divorce rates with 45.7% of marriages ending in separation. Domestic violence and alcohol consumption are also contemporary problems facing the suburb due to urban decline. Despite its close proximity to the city, Redfern is deemed with very little regard by residents from neighbouring suburbs in Sydney and often avoided because of its low social and economic standing. Redfern's urban decline has also manifested itself in the physical environment. Abandoned warehouses and buildings, degenerated roads, decrepit townhouses and failed public transport are only a few signs of the damage urban decline has caused in the once thriving suburb. As previously discussed, once the industries decided to pack their bags and leave Redfern, many of their factories were left unclaimed and the government didn't prioritise utilising the occupied land for better purposes preferring to leave the deserted buildings as they are.
Signs of urban decay in Redfern are still present in most regions of the suburb however efforts have and are presently being made by local authorities and governments to gentrify the areas impacted by urban decline.