Perspectives on built heritage preservation: a study of Queenslander homeowners in Brisbane, Australia
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Perspectives on built heritage preservation: a study of Queenslander homeowners in Brisbane, Australia Vanessa Neilsen1 · Dorina Pojani1 Received: 6 October 2019 / Accepted: 16 July 2020 © Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract Set in Brisbane–Australia’s third city—this study solicits the views of residents regarding the preservation of the iconic Queenslander houses (late nineteenth century–early twentieth century). Through in-depth interviews with twenty participants, we sought to determine whether owner-occupiers of Queenslanders value this heritage and why, whether they are engaged in its protection, and if so, what their motivations are. We found that Queenslanders are valued on multiple levels: as placemaking features, as aesthetic pleasure, and as climatic comfort. While maintaining an older home involves a substantial amount of time and money—available mostly to the middle-class and middle-aged groups—this is viewed as fair considering the benefits of living in a Queenslander. Residents believe that the local government can and should do more to protect what is left of the historical housing stock. However, one portion of the public only cares to preserve the outer shells of heritage homes while extensively renovating and modernising interiors. A concern for heritage is sometimes used as a screen for NIMBYism. As a growing city, Brisbane needs to navigate a fine line between increasing the supply of apartment units and preserving the character of local neighbourhoods, which traditionally have been single-family only. Keywords Built heritage preservation · Brisbane, Australia · Queenslander houses · NIMBY syndrome · Neoliberal planning
1 Introduction In Australia, it was the depth of popular feeling and enthusiasm for threatened built heritage which led to awareness of, and concern for, historic preservation in the 1970s. But built-heritage preservation quickly evolved from a relatively disorganised and ad hoc grassroots movement to a more elitist approach governed by professionals and experts in the field (Allon 2008; Boer and Wiffen 2006; Davison 1991; Smith 2006). Consequently,
* Dorina Pojani [email protected] Vanessa Neilsen [email protected] 1
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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the Australian public appears to have become somewhat apathetic in matters of heritage (McDonald 2011; Aplin 2009; Smith 2006). This study explores the attitudes and perspectives of Brisbane residents regarding the preservation of its iconic Queenslander houses; that is, houses constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Through in-depth interviews with twenty participants, we seek to determine whether owner-occupiers of Queenslanders value this heritage and why, whether they are engaged in its protection, and if so, what their motivations are. Are owners driven by identity concerns, or do economic and political issues have priority? Until now, there have been no similar academic studies set in Brisbane—although the Brisbane City Council seeks to retai
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