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

Abstract

Although an ever-increasing number of social interactions are taking place virtually, people's relationships with their neighbors remain important. Apartment residents make up a growing proportion of the population in cities worldwide, but there is evidence that many find it challenging to form and maintain local social connections, especially those renting their home. This can negatively impact physical and mental health, and have implications for the management of apartment complexes and local area social sustainability. In this paper, we draw on interviews (n=41) with renters of four large case study condominium complexes in Sydney, Australia, to investigate their local social interactions. The findings reveal that while many renters desire greater local connection, their opportunities and motivations are limited by factors relating to mobility, tenure security, prejudice, and exclusion from building-related governance.The paper concludes by considering the scope for interventions in design, management and governance to enhance opportunities for social connection.

Acceptability of strata title in Brunei Darussalam: an integrated solution to sustainable living

“…Further, the economic, financial, and social benefits of ST living may also enhance its acceptance. This study validates the findings of recent studies (Alexander et al, 2009;Cyrus, 2015;Crommelin et al, 2020;Musa et al, 2020;Thompson et al, 2022) corroborating that opportunities to economically own a house, reduced financial burden of maintenance, essential, and complimentary services, and social interaction are positive indicators of STL acceptance.…”

“…Another crucial aspect of ST is the assurance of residents' health by providing required facilities and community spaces which is perceived as a critical driver to prefer living in an ST home (Kim et al, 2005;Levin and Arthurson, 2020). In a high-density environment, social interaction has become challenging hence, the provision of sports, community parks, public libraries, and cultural center facilities, and inclusion in governance-related issues may help in developing progressive social interaction among ST residents (Thompson et al, 2022). Another key driver of positive ST perception among residents is the recognition of legally owning a valuable property representing residents' personal achievements which may guide them to accept ST homes (Mohit and Raja, 2014;Troy et al, 2016).…”

“…Additionally, the features such as social interaction opportunities (Thompson et al, 2022) and the prevalence of culturally diverse residents situated in ST living are compatibility with the Bruneian culture and social norms which are expected to further strengthen the close-knit family system and help in maintaining a harmonious cultural environment (Kerr et al, 2021). This argument leads to predict that the compatibility of ST living may positively contribute to its acceptance by Bruneian residents.…”

“…The findings of past studies are mixed as some scholars reported a positive impact of OBV (Yusof, 1999) whereas, a few researchers claimed a negative relationship between OBV and acceptance of innovation (Gerrard and Cuningham, 2003). Since ST living is a tangible experience supported by tangible complimentary services of community spaces (Kim et al, 2005;Levin and Arthurson, 2020), common facilities (Musa et al, 2020), and an opportunity to interact in a socially and culturally dense community by living in ST society (Thompson et al, 2022) are likely to highlight the visible outcomes. Taking together, the availability of ST homes, the provision of common facilities, and the fitness of ST living with the social and cultural dynamics of Brunei lead to suggest that it may accelerate the acceptance process of ST living.…”

“…A few novel studies have identified the structural issues in the design and facilities of ST and their impact on ST planning and property market development (Celine, 2015;Sajan, 2015;Sia et al, 2018;Olanrewaju et al, 2021). Similarly, another research cluster highlights the significance of humanitarian factors such as diversity (Liu et al, 2018), social interaction (Thompson et al, 2022), cultural norms (Kerr et al, 2021), and managerial skills (Altmann, 2015;Liat Choon et al, 2022) in the creation of an integrated ST market. Although these contemporary issues are still ongoing and continue to develop, we argue that the recent traction in ST has addressed these underlying issues to some extent.…”