Renaissance in Redfern – My Observation

Throughout my travels, conversations somehow always centre on racism in America and Australia. I prefer not to talk about racism, as it tends to showcase the inevitable chip on the shoulder, but I prefer to discuss harnessing racial diversity, because it’s about the positives. From my travels, Redfern is one of the most culturally diverse cities I have ever lived in.

These personal observations have been tempered by me taking up residency in some of America’s inner city sub-communities - New York City’s Harlem, 3rd Ward in Houston and now Sydney’s Redfern Waterloo.

What is evident to me about these communities are the contrasting social outcomes. One of the obvious similarities is the growing social polarisation. In Harlem and South Bronx, there was visible evidence of a growing inner city wasteland, with beggars, homeless people and drug users. Despite the efforts of local government and community change-agents to encourage the decentralisation of employment opportunities, these areas still only offered very limited employment and social opportunities.

In Harlem and South Bronx, local African and Hispanic Americans now enjoy affordable property prices, improved local amenities and other associated facilities which had previously vanished. There is a very healthy and vibrant pulse back in these communities. This new and much needed renaissance was driven primarily by local residents returning to communities and leading the redevelopment. The key here was the cooperation between all parties, government, universities, local commerce, and cultural leaders.

In Harlem, a further catalyst was ex-President Bill Clinton’s, post presidential office being relocated to the Harlem’s 125th street. Following this move, the development of UMEZ (Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone - a joint government and community backed initiative), attracted both residential and commercial property developers, technology companies and universities to bring in much needed resources to renew the community foundation.

The re-development of local derelict buildings into technology and commerce hubs provided much needed employment and training. This allowed Harlem to reclaim its proud, rich heritage which was previously lost to racism, crime, poverty and homelessness. The same is being accomplished in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.

Throughout these developments, balance and perspective was always going to be required, because guilt and blame was never that far away. Local residents brought elements of stoicism, courage, generosity and to some degree a healthy dose of distrust in accepting this new community development. There was a call for an immediate practical response. Listening was the much needed catharsis for the communities, but there was still a caricature of emotional blackmail between white, black and Hispanic Americans. There are still some with considerable political influence who continued to be deliberately divisive.

The Australian Technology Park in Inner city Redfern Waterloo is one organisation which is trying to create real value for the community. The ATP’s master plan and RWA’s Built Environment Plan are a few of the overall renewal strategies for the area. The neighbourhood itself, its pockets of poverty and lack of amenities, are still vulnerable to the incursions by government and privately led development groups, who may be seeking to gentrify the area. Again it is assumed that this level of gentrification is being facilitated under the guise of those who have little or no respect for the cultural differences.

Fortunately, Redfern Waterloo also has passionate residents who work tirelessly to influence and monitor change in the community. How this change is going to be implemented and sustained will be the focus of everyone’s efforts.

Urban development is happening in Redfern Waterloo as it is in Harlem, New Orleans and Iraq. But the key to these initiatives will be balancing the needs of the marginalised and neglected, ensuring effective development and not dislocation.

[South Sydney Herald July 2006]