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Children in Apartments: Implications for the Compact City

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Andrew Tice

Published: Urban Policy and Research; v. 29; no. 4; pp. 415 - 434; 1476-7244 (ISSN)

This paper has been peer reviewed

Funders: Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Keywords: Children, Development, Planning,

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Summary:

This article presents an innovative analysis of Australian Census data that identifies lower income households with children as a significant sub-sector of the resident apartment population, geographically concentrated in the lower value middle-ring suburbs of Sydney. An examination of one middle-ring urban renewal site (the Sydney Olympic Park site) provides evidence to suggest that new residential developments adjacent to areas dominated by an apartment market with a significant proportion of lower income families with children are themselves likely to see an influx of these households.

The role of retirees in residential "private governments"

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope

Published: Journal of Urban Affairs; v. 37; no. 3; pp. 311 - 326; 1467-9906 (ISSN)

This paper has been peer reviewed

Funders: This research was funded by the Australian Research Council under the Linkage Grants Program (LP0989373). The project partners for the larger project were Strata Community Australia (NSW), the Owners Corporation Network of Australia, NSW Fair Trading, NSW Land and Property Information, Lannock Strata Finance, and Macquarie Bank.

Keywords: Building management, Community, Information available to owners and residents, Quantitative research/statistics,

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Summary:

The article argues there has been a devolution of responsibility to the "private governments" that manage strata schemes, without sufficient support and training. To address this challenge, and realize the potential benefits afforded by the increasing availability of retired volunteers, increased support is essential to encourage better property management and underpin the good governance of urban areas.

Principal–agent problems in multi-unit developments: The impact of developer actions on the on-going management of strata titled properties

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Bill Randolph

Published: Environment and Planning A; v. 48; no. 9; pp. 1829 - 1847; 1472-3409 (ISSN)

This paper has been peer reviewed

Funders: The research reported in this paper was supported under the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects funding scheme [project number LP0989373]

Keywords: Building management, Developer control, Developer handover, Development, Governance,

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Summary:

This paper demonstrates the impact the actions of developers during the design and build phases of multi-unit residential developments can have on the quality and effectiveness of the on-going management of developments. The findings presented are drawn from a large research project that included interviews and surveys with property owners, executive committee (body corporate) members, strata (property) managers, and peak body representatives about the management of strata schemes in the state of New South Wales in Australia.

How property title impacts urban consolidation: a lifecycle examination of multi-title developments

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Cathy Sherry, , Sacha Reid, Jan Warnken, Eddo Coiacetto, Diane Dredge, Chris Guilding, Dawne Lamminmaki

Published: Urban Policy and Research; v. 32; no. 3; pp. 289 - 304; 1476-7244 (ISSN)

This paper has been peer reviewed

Keywords: Building management, Developer handover, Development, Redevelopment / termination,

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Summary:

This article employs a life cycle framework to examine the profound operational and governance challenges that are associated with the fusion of private lot ownership with common property ownership. The article calls for a more explicit recognition of these challenges by academics, policymakers, practitioners and the broader community.

Managing Major Repairs in Residential Strata Developments in New South Wales

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Bill Randolph, Sarah Judd

Funders: NSW Office of Fair Trading

Keywords:

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Summary:

This document reports on the findings of research carried out by the City Futures Research Centre at the University of NSW into the management of major repairs and maintenance of common property in residential strata properties (containing three or more lots) in New South Wales. This is the first report to outline the attitudes and experiences of strata owners towards planning for major repairs and maintenance in NSW.

Urban renewal and strata scheme termination: Balancing communal management and individual property right

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Sarah Hudson, Bill Randolph

Published: Environment and Planning A; v. 45; no. 6; pp. 1421 - 1435; 0308-518X (ISSN)

Keywords: Development, Law, Planning, Redevelopment / termination,

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Summary:

This paper makes particular reference to the implications of this debate in the greater Sydney metropolitan area, which raises universal issues regarding tensions between the government and the market and between individual rights and the collective good. This paper argues that there is a case for changing the legislation, with government involvement required to respond to the significant social issues raised, to guarantee the needs of existing owners and tenants are met, and to ensure that high quality, economically viable, buildings result.

Retirement Village or the General Community? Downsizing Choices of Older Australians

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Bruce Judd, Edgar Liu, Catherine Bridge

Published: State Of Australian Cities Conference 2015

Funders: Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute

Keywords: Aged housing, Liveability,

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Summary:

Of the 18% of Australians 50 years of age and older who moved between 2006 and 2011, it is estimated that around half had downsized by number of bedrooms. The majority downsized into private housing in the general community and around one fifth into retirement villages. This paper compares the demographic characteristics of these two groups, circumstances leading to moving, considerations made in their choice of accommodation, difficulty of the moving process and their satisfaction with the outcomes.

Renewing the Compact City: Economically viable and socially sustainable approaches to urban redevelopment

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Laurence Troy, Bill Randolph, Laura Crommelin, Simon Pinnegar

Published: City Futures Research Centre, UNSW Australia; Sydney, Australia

Funders: Scheme - LINKAGE PROJECT, Funder ref. no. - LP130100400, Funding agency - AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL

Keywords: Development, Planning, Redevelopment / termination,

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Summary:

The aim of this project was to explore equitable and viable solutions to what has emerged as a fundamental issue facing Australian cities in coming decades: how to effectively, efficiently and inclusively redevelop older areas of privately owned multi‐unit strata titled housing to achieve the higher densities needed to accommodate population growth without exacerbating social inequalities and collateral social disruption. The research therefore addresses questions of both feasibility and equity regarding the termination and renewal of strata schemes.  

Home Modifications in Strata: Final Report

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Ryan van den Nouwelant

Published: City Futures Research Centre 2013

Funders: Leichhardt Council

Keywords: Building improvements, Repairs and maintenance,

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Summary:

The research reports on:
– Home modification needs in strata schemes identified by residents, peak body representatives and other professionals.
– Existing policy and legislation that affects the process of undertaking home modifications in strata titled properties.
– Challenges in undertaking home modifications and opportunities for change.

Governing the Compact City: The role and effectiveness of strata management

Author or co-authors: Hazel Easthope, Bill Randolph, Sarah Judd

Published: City Futures Research Centre, UNSW; Sydney

Funders: This report is based on research undertaken with Australian Research Council Grant LP0989373 with support from Strata Community Australia (NSW), NSW Fair Trading, NSW Land and Property Information, the Owners Corporation Network of Australia Ltd. , Lannock Strata Finance and Macquarie Bank.

Keywords: Building management, By-laws/rules/CC&Rs, Community, Defects, Disputes/conflict, Governance,

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Summary:

This Executive Summary outlines the main findings of the research project . The project had three major aims:
1. To explore the role, capacity and effectiveness of owners corporations as agencies of property governance and management in contemporary urban Australia.
2. To explore the capacity and effectiveness of strata managing agents as mediators of outcomes for residents and owners in the sector, and their role and function within the overall structure of management and governance.
3. To assess how well residential strata works from strata owners’ points of view.