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]