Diversity in Density

Including the majority: Examining the local social interactions of renters in four case study condominiums in Sydney

“…However, needs and desires for local social connection are likely highly diverse (Forrest et al, 2002;Gu, 2020;Virtala, 2015). Other research has found that apartment residents desire more local social connection (Easthope et al, 2017;Hirvonen & Lilius, 2019). There is a need to better understand desire for local social interaction in this context, and how it may be met.…”

“…Apartment residents often report few social connections with other people in their local area (Gifford, 2007;Reid, 2015;Scanlon et al, 2018), desire more than they have (Easthope et al, 2017;Forrest et al, 2002;Thompson, 2019;Hirvonen & Lilius, 2019), and struggle to balance sociability with privacy in their buildings (Gifford, 2007;Reid, 2015). With growing proportions of people living in apartments, even in cities where low-density living is traditionally the norm, this situation is concerning for three main reasons: a lack of local social connection can have negative impacts on a person's mental and physical health (Eicher & Kawachi, 2011); may weaken the ability of apartment residents to work together to maintain and manage their buildings (Borisova et al, 2014;Liu et al, 2018); and can undermine the wider social sustainability of local areas (Dempsey et al, 2011;Sandercock, 2003).…”