Creating resilient communities

We are at a critical juncture in history, a turning point driven by unprecedented population growth and urbanisation, climate change, new technologies and geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Amidst this change, many of us are increasingly troubled by the hypothesis that we run the risk of passing on to future generations a built and natural world, climate and quality of life that is inferior to our own. How can we course correct and chart a path forward that leads to a positive legacy? Creating resilient communities is a must have in this context. It refers to a community’s ability to withstand, adapt to and recover from adversities and social disruption. By integrating resilience into the design of our regions, cities and places, communities can thrive and at the same time address sustainability and equity concerns.

GHD’s CROSSROADS research involved surveying more than 10,000 people across 10 countries, to canvas a broad cross-section of the population. The research asks Baby Boomers, GenX, Millennials and GenY their preferences, perspectives and priorities on the world’s most pressing issues and uncovered that the three common concerns across geographies and generations are environmental burdens, cost of living pressures and transport challenges. With this knowledge we can build into our community infrastructure design imperatives that contribute to the resilience of place aligned to community sentiment.

CROSSROADS shows that affordable housing consistently ranks as a top priority across all countries, though the focus on specific initiatives to achieve positive community outcomes varies by culture and place. For example, younger generations are more likely to prioritise affordable housing, while older generations focus on building a sustainable economy, improving public transport or providing water security. 

What is universal is the perception of the urgency needed to tackle climate change. With widespread support for environmental sustainability, people are ready to change their behaviours and contribute to solutions by reconsidering their dwelling type and location, reduction in reliance on the private motor vehicle and a majority willing to pay extra for eco-friendly products and services. This sentiment is most prominent within younger generations who, with population growth, are set to be the primary decision makers both in leading change and how they chose to live.

What this points to is a need to reconsider our business-as-usual approach to briefing for and designing our community infrastructure, places and spaces. With this new data, we can refine the scope of our community projects, making sure that community values and sentiment are embedded within the physical outcomes of our cities and regions. 

In Australia more than 60% of respondents said they were interested in living in more diversified communities. These communities would include a mix of dwelling types, from apartments to traditional houses and a mix of tenure, ranging from social and affordable housing to market housing. This provides an evidence base to reconsider how we assemble our communities. From there we can layer the detail of place-based response embedding climate positive approaches to materials, water and energy, as well as enabling choice in transport modes that prioritise human needs and best fit the new urban typology.

Designing community-resilient places involves more than physical infrastructure; it requires fostering social connections, embedding First Nations knowledge, being laser focused on environmental initiatives, working collaboratively towards shared goals and promoting economic self-sufficiency. Directing resources towards the revitalisation and development of diverse neighbourhoods promotes equitable growth and benefits for all citizens from economic opportunities. Harnessing the preferences and priorities of a multi-generational approach, balanced with the functional needs of a community, will go a long way to building a more sustainable and just future for all.

Learn more about the GHD CROSSROADS research.