Selandra Rise Research Highlights Dr Cecily Maller & Dr Larissa Nicholls Centre for Urban Research RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 1
Introduction Aim: To what extent do best practice planning principles for space and place impact on the health and wellbeing of the community of Selandra Rise? Track planned, accidentaland emerginghealth and wellbeing outcomes Research Objectives: Determine key features contributing to health and wellbeing, measure the impact Determine residents experience Identify how design and delivery can be improved Identify implications for design of future communities RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 2
What is different about Selandra Rise? Early delivery of parks, a school, a community centre and public transport St Peter s secondary college Selandra Community Place Hilltop Park 798 Bus Service Diverse parks:heritage Park, Youth Park Emphasis on walkability and outdoor physical activity within the community RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 3
Outline Introduce methods and participants Main findings relating to: Neighbourhood satisfaction Physical activity Community engagement Transport and work travel Conclusions and Recommendations RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 4
Methods: What did we do? Data collection before and after Interviews in residents homes Annual survey to: a) Study the impact of key design features on health and wellbeing b) Document change over time c) Benchmark and monitor health and wellbeing Measured through: a) Neighbourhood satisfaction b) More detailed measures RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 5
Who are Selandra Rise residents?... Mostly young couples, first home buyers, culturally diverse RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 6
Neighbourhood satisfaction
Key findings: Neighbourhood satisfaction Good place to live Pre Selandra Selandra Good place to raise children Pre Selandra Selandra Satisfaction with Selandra Rise as a good place to raise children and a good place to live higher than previous neighbourhoods Only 25% of residents were strongly satisfied with Selandra Rise as a convenient location compared to 57% previously RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 8
Physical activity
Plannedfeatures to support physical activity outdoors All dwellings within 300 metres of open space/parks Footpaths of 1.5 metres 2km of bike paths A layout to encourage walking or riding (including wayfinding signage, Town Centre*) Diverse parks Hilltop Park with a outdoor gym exercise stations, walking circuit Heritage Park withchildren s play equipment, an off-leash dog area, allocation for an orchard *not completed at the time of data collection RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 10
Key findings: walking and park satisfaction Ease and pleasance to walk Pre Selandra Selandra Quality of parks Pre Selandra Selandra Satisfaction with ease and pleasance of walking (97%) and quality of parks (87%) higher at Selandra Rise compared to residents living in previous neighbourhoods RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 11
Key findings: changes in physical activity levels 42% of residents report physical activity has increased The majority have not changed their amount of activity, or it has decreased RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 12
Key findings: challenges to outdoor physical activity Increasesin physical activity for some were offset by substantial decreases for others The length and variety of routes and destinations limited by the poor connectivity to those outside the community 4/5 interviewees cited the weather/seasons as reasons for not doing physical activity Some were reluctant to exercise in open public areas Many were experiencing major life changes which disrupted previous physical activity routines SelandraRise was still being constructed at the time of data collection RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 13
Community interactions
Planned features to encourage community interaction Selandra Community Place offered a range of lifestyle, health and sustainability programs early on On-site community development and sustainability officers Selandra Community Place website Establishment of a Community Garden* Neighbourhood BBQs and children s play equipment in Hilltop and Heritage parks An off-leash dog area in Heritage Park A youth park* *not completed at the time of data collection RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 15
Key findings: community interactions, social connections and Selandra Community Place High numbers of brief interactions Residents formed social connections through the common experience of building a new home in a new community In 2015, 41% reported attending some kind of social event, meeting or activity on-site (previous 12 months) Residents were more satisfied with opportunities to meet people (88%) compared to those living in previous neighbourhoods (65%) For some, SCP played a vital role in reducing social isolation RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 16
Public transport
Planned features for transport and connectivity Early delivery of a bus service for public transport 20 minute regular service to Cranbourne train station and shopping centre Bus stop located near the Town Centre site RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 18
Key findings: public transport and the 798 bus service Pre Selandra Selandra 2013 Selandra 2015 Residents were more satisfied with public transport in 2015 than 2013 ; 96% knew about the bus, 92% considered it important 35%reported someone from their household had travelled on the Selandra Rise bus, including visitors RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 19
Work travel and health
Key findings: travel to work 1/3 of residents worked in the CBD or northern suburbs Commute times increasing RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 21
Travel to work time Pre Selandra Selandra 2013 Selandra 2015 Residents commute times increasedfrom 2013 to 2015, and were greater than in previous neighbourhoods Travel time to and from work is the biggest challenge every day. RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 22
Travel to work and satisfaction Pre Selandra Selandra 2013 Selandra 2015 Strong satisfactionwith travel time to work was higher before moving to Selandra Rise Dissatisfaction with commute times grewbetween 2013 and 2015 RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 23
Travel to work and changes in physical activity Short Medium Long Residents with short commutes reported increased physical activity after moving Residents with long commutes reported decreased physical activity after moving RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 24
Travel to work and changes in weight Short Medium Long Nearly half of residents with short commutes reported theylost weight after moving The majority of residents with long commutes reported they gained weight after moving RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 25
Conclusions and recommendations
Conclusions and recommendations Selandra Rise is only one community Better understanding of new communities in growth areas throughout Australia is needed The findings presented provide a snapshot in time Long-term health and wellbeing outcomes will become evident in the future RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 27
Conclusions and recommendations Essential social determinants in growth area communities are transport and access to employment The initiatives delivered at Selandra Rise are a step in the right direction Connectivity-new communities cannot be developed as islands in suburbia The importance of long-term, sustained partnerships with shared goals To achieve early delivery Broader partnerships and long-term collaborations needed for the health and wellbeing of communities of the future See full set of recommendations RMIT University 2016 Centre for Urban Research 28
Thank you cecily.maller@rmit.edu.au larissa.nicholls@rmit.edu.au