Dr Elizabeth Farrelly, Founder and CEO of the Better Cities Initiative, discusses reinventing apartment living by exploring the lack of individuality in contemporary designs, comparing old vs. modern apartments, reflecting on the impact of neoliberalism, and advocating for prioritizing the common good in urban design.
Dr. Farley advocates for better planning models to create vibrant urban centres.
Historical apartment designs prioritized community culture and quality living experiences.
Deep dives
Evolving Apartment Living
Cities are experiencing a shift towards denser living in apartments, prompting reflection on the design and purpose of modern apartment buildings. Dr. Elizabeth Farley discusses the lack of a sense of home in contemporary apartments, contrasting them with older buildings designed for quality living experiences. The historical context of apartment design in cities like Sydney reveals a shift from creative, community-oriented spaces to standardized, investor-focused developments, highlighting the impact of neoliberalism.
Influence of Architectural Design
Older apartment buildings, such as those from the 1920s, were designed with attention to detail, light, and space, providing residents with a sense of dignity and connection. Architect Claude Hamilton's approach aimed to create intimate, culturally rich living environments for diverse communities. These buildings reflected a mix of social classes and offered a range of amenities that contributed to vibrant urban cultures, emphasizing the importance of design in shaping community experiences.
Prioritizing the Common Good
The shift towards mass-produced, uniform apartment buildings reflects a neglect of the common good and individual dignity in urban design. Dr. Farley critiques the current trend of cost-driven architecture, advocating for a return to emphasizing quality materials, design, and communal spaces in city planning. By reevaluating priorities and focusing on enhancing people's lives through well-designed urban spaces, societies can create more inclusive, livable environments that prioritize residents' well-being.
As higher density increases in our cities and we look for housing solutions, how can apartment design be improved?
Dr Elizabeth Farrelly is the founder and CEO of the Better Cities Initiative, an organisation which is calling for better planning models to create more vibrant urban centres into the future.
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