Social diversity in a dense neighbourhood: a socio-psychological study of community opposition to dense developments in Perth, Western Australia

ABSTRACT The surveys of residents living in areas planned for increasing residential density in Perth, Australia (Canning Bridge, Cannington, Wellard activity centres) concluded that the idea of encouraging ‘a diverse mix of people into the precinct’ was not perceived positively by current residents. From a socio-psychological view, the surveys reflect a perceived concern about future demographic change in their neighbourhood following a dense development. This paper solely discusses the results of follow-up in-depth interviews with several residents for investigating the residents’ concerns about demographic change. The thematic analysis of interviews highlights that ‘fear of the unknown’ drove many of the negative perceptions towards demographic change. Many interviewees interpreted ‘diversity’ in relation to cultural background (ethnicity), with their ‘fear’ stemming from their unfamiliarity with people of different cultural backgrounds. The interview results also suggest that the level and quality of current informal and formal socialising among neighbours may be a precursor to overcoming their concerns. The paper concludes that while the dimension of ‘diversity’ is widely embraced by planners it has the potential to be seen negatively by residents who see this quality as a social disruption to their neighbourhood and lifestyle. Further, micro scale social events such as small street get-togethers may have the potential and be more effective than macro/large events for establishing social, cultural context that is required prior to new developments and their incoming residents.