DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN CITIES: The South East Queensland Urban Region in Comparative Perspective. This is the Australian component of an international project on quality of life (QOL) in cities. It examines people's perceived QOL and relates this to objective indicators such as employment levels and neighbourhood safety. We examine the South East Queensland urban region; our collaborators focus on Detroit (USA) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil). Our research tests the recent propositio ....DETERMINANTS OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN CITIES: The South East Queensland Urban Region in Comparative Perspective. This is the Australian component of an international project on quality of life (QOL) in cities. It examines people's perceived QOL and relates this to objective indicators such as employment levels and neighbourhood safety. We examine the South East Queensland urban region; our collaborators focus on Detroit (USA) and Belo Horizonte (Brazil). Our research tests the recent proposition that QOL is the key element in the rise of the new economy characterised by increasing emphasis on consumption and expansion of the services sector. Understanding the relationship between QOL and the new economy is vital for future urban planning.Read moreRead less
A sociological investigation of key problems in contemporary Australian housing policy-making. Long-standing housing problems in Australia have exacerbated social division and conflicts within Australia. This project will investigate the causes and impact of these social divisions and conflicts. Its findings will provide insights about the conduct of social policy and the capacity governments to address contemporary housing problems.
Managing the social, environmental & economic impacts of high density-living within inner-urban sub-tropical environments. Higher-density (HD) living is a popular strategy for managing urban growth (i.e., reducing greenhouse gas emissions). In sub-tropical environments, it represents a significant change from the traditional suburb, but provides a potential solution to the impacts of population growth on resources/infrastructure. By identifying the impacts associated with HD living & developing ....Managing the social, environmental & economic impacts of high density-living within inner-urban sub-tropical environments. Higher-density (HD) living is a popular strategy for managing urban growth (i.e., reducing greenhouse gas emissions). In sub-tropical environments, it represents a significant change from the traditional suburb, but provides a potential solution to the impacts of population growth on resources/infrastructure. By identifying the impacts associated with HD living & developing strategies (including design solutions & impact management strategies) to enhance the sustainability of HD, this research will have immediate and long-term triple bottom line benefits for Australia - encouraging the uptake of HD living achieving an environmentally sustainable Australia (Research Priority 1). Read moreRead less
City Living: Urban consolidation and the social sustainability of cities. This project will investigate the dynamic tensions that arise in cities between individual and communal rights and requirements through a detailed examination of the lived experiences of urban apartment residents and owners. It will provide ground-breaking data on the influence of socio-economic mix on the governance and management of apartment buildings, residents’ perceptions of home and the broader implications for the ....City Living: Urban consolidation and the social sustainability of cities. This project will investigate the dynamic tensions that arise in cities between individual and communal rights and requirements through a detailed examination of the lived experiences of urban apartment residents and owners. It will provide ground-breaking data on the influence of socio-economic mix on the governance and management of apartment buildings, residents’ perceptions of home and the broader implications for the social sustainability of cities and will further current academic debates on these issues. It will open new opportunities for inter-disciplinary and international collaboration and provide evidence to inform planning and urban development policy nationally and internationally.Read moreRead less
The 2006 Census and Indigenous People in Remote Areas: Assessing the Quality of the Enumeration Process and Resulting Data. Rigorous assessment of the quality of census data will benefit Indigenous communities, policy makers, and researchers in the area of Indigenous policy and service delivery. Of particular note is the direct benefit to the ABS in seeking to improve their methods for enumerating remote Indigenous populations. The research directly addresses the National Research Priorities rel ....The 2006 Census and Indigenous People in Remote Areas: Assessing the Quality of the Enumeration Process and Resulting Data. Rigorous assessment of the quality of census data will benefit Indigenous communities, policy makers, and researchers in the area of Indigenous policy and service delivery. Of particular note is the direct benefit to the ABS in seeking to improve their methods for enumerating remote Indigenous populations. The research directly addresses the National Research Priorities relating to rural and remote areas and strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric because it will enhance assessment of the reliability of statistical information for social, economic and community planning in remote Indigenous communities.Read moreRead less
A model to investigate the relationships between social capital, social inclusion and industrial development. This study will develop a new model for investigating the relationships between social capital, social inclusion and industry development in a designated area under the Commonwealth Government Initiative in Regional Australia. The project will address whether high levels of social capital reduce social exclusion and the likely impacts of the ?dark side? of social capital upon communiti ....A model to investigate the relationships between social capital, social inclusion and industrial development. This study will develop a new model for investigating the relationships between social capital, social inclusion and industry development in a designated area under the Commonwealth Government Initiative in Regional Australia. The project will address whether high levels of social capital reduce social exclusion and the likely impacts of the ?dark side? of social capital upon communities. The study will draw on relevant contemporary theory, survey analysis, interviews and discussion forums to develop new explanations that will help build community capacities and inform the development of social policy, employment and industrial development.Read moreRead less
Building sustainable social capital in new communities. Industry partners and investigators have identified the need for foundation knowledge about social capital and the development of new communities in Australia. The current environment is of increasing responsibility for property developers to account for their social responsibility/corporate citizenship, and manage increasing responsibility for developing communities which provide social, economic and cultural benefit to Australia's well-be ....Building sustainable social capital in new communities. Industry partners and investigators have identified the need for foundation knowledge about social capital and the development of new communities in Australia. The current environment is of increasing responsibility for property developers to account for their social responsibility/corporate citizenship, and manage increasing responsibility for developing communities which provide social, economic and cultural benefit to Australia's well-being. The study identifies the extent to which planning and strategic interventions in new communities contribute to, or detract from, social capital building. The results will be used to identify long term theoretical and practical strategies for strengthening and sustaining social capital in new communities.Read moreRead less
Building communities: managing public assets to provide social value. Local government facilities have a social value for the community beyond the immediate provision of service or amenity. However, this aspect is not generally considered in the formal planning and management of public facilities, which concentrate on economic considerations and community service needs. This project explores the links between public assets, their social value and community well-being. The research will provide a ....Building communities: managing public assets to provide social value. Local government facilities have a social value for the community beyond the immediate provision of service or amenity. However, this aspect is not generally considered in the formal planning and management of public facilities, which concentrate on economic considerations and community service needs. This project explores the links between public assets, their social value and community well-being. The research will provide a rationale, model, and set of indicators to assess social value for facilities, assisting local government decision-making, including regional and rural communities, and contribute to the development of meaningful long-term infrastructure and community plans.Read moreRead less
A society divided: a multilevel approach for understanding socio-economic opportunity and vulnerability. Despite a strong economy since the early 1990s uneven socioeconomic outcomes remain characteristic of Australian society. The costs to individuals, communities and society itself of these uneven outcomes are significant. Crucially policy needs understand the multi-dimensional nature of the drivers of these uneven outcomes so as to ameliorate the negative cost. In its integration of multilevel ....A society divided: a multilevel approach for understanding socio-economic opportunity and vulnerability. Despite a strong economy since the early 1990s uneven socioeconomic outcomes remain characteristic of Australian society. The costs to individuals, communities and society itself of these uneven outcomes are significant. Crucially policy needs understand the multi-dimensional nature of the drivers of these uneven outcomes so as to ameliorate the negative cost. In its integration of multilevel research methodologies this project aims to advance understandings of well targeted and effective policy interventions. It combines the skills and knowledge of researchers trained in economics and sociology, whose collaboration is a direct result of a linkage formed within an ARC research network. Read moreRead less
Technologies of performance, technologies of governance: the bane, benefits, ethics and future of performance measurement in government. This study examines governments' increasing use of performance management and the complex ways this is transforming schools, universities, health and welfare services. It aims to improve service performance by identifying problems areas and engaging wider public perspectives.