Hyper-Local Living - The Return of The Urban Village
Here's an interesting finding for you from research we've recently undertaken: 37% of Mirvac customers would be tempted to reconsider where they live if they could work from home more frequently.
What was even more interesting to me was the strong discrepancy in terms of where people would relocate to, given the choice: only 13% would move closer to their workplace, while 24% would move further away.
"That got me thinking about the tension between where we live and where we work."
Changing behaviours and settlement patterns
As someone who has spent my whole working life thinking about people's wants and needs and how these factors determine property choices, I expect how we live and work post COVID-19 will not only redefine housing design, but whole new patterns of urban planning. I imagine a time when cities and suburbs will be orientated around both traditional workplaces and home-based hubs. Might we also see a steady migration to lifestyle-driven destinations such as coastal or country areas, as homes we'd normally book for the occasional short-term stay, perhaps become a more permanent address?
"We've reclaimed the streets while we've been in lockdown."
A new hyper-local lifestyle
People living in apartments have also found novel ways to connect with their own micro-communities, whether that be using balconies as a platform to entertain others, or taking to the fire stairs to say hi to their neighbours, which is exactly what's happening at Mirvac's The Finery in Waterloo. Here we designed the fire stairs to be open and accessible, to encourage people to take the stairs rather than the lifts. This design decision has also since had the happy consequence of creating an 'incidental' meeting place for impromptu social exchanges.
Yes, it takes a village to create genuine connection and given the opportunity, we prefer to live hyper-local. Going hand-in-hand with this newfound appreciation for living local, I believe, will be a greater focus on public health and safety, and a greater investment in public infrastructure such as community spaces, to enable us to better balance our new working-from-home lives. Let's hope these and other urban improvements will be welcome by-products of a very unwelcome pandemic.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN
Reflecting on our progress with Reconciliation
As a leading Australian asset creator, our purpose is to reimagine urban life, and we’re committed to leaving a positive legacy through unique precincts and thriving communities.
Building better communities: Mirvac's Commitment to Giving Back
Each year we hold a National Community Day where our employees bring their energy – and their paint brushes and gloves - to lend-a-hand to local community groups and charities.
Major International Art Festival, The 24th Biennale of Sydney, Ten Thousand Suns, Now Open
As proud principal partner, Mirvac is honoured to have been part of the exciting journey leading up to the launch of the 24th Biennale of Sydney, titled Ten Thousand Suns, which is now open to the public.
Mirvac and Suncorp join Brisbane City Council to unveil Brisbane CBD’s first sport courts
Mirvac, M&G Real Estate and Suncorp have completed works on a new community sport facility on the corner of Roma and Turbot Streets, the result of a $1.5m investment and 12-month revitalisation of a section of underpass to create the first facility of its kind in the Brisbane CBD.
Mirvac acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters of Australia, and we offer our respect to their Elders past and present.
Artwork: ‘Reimagining Country’, created by Riki Salam (Mualgal, Kaurareg, Kuku Yalanji) of We are 27 Creative.