JSA develops community strategies in partnership with the community and
seeks to build upon existing strengths and relationship structures
operating within and around participating communities. Overall,
we seek to operate within an integrated framework that promotes social,
environmental and economic sustainability.
 One valuable approach that we employ to engage communities in urban
renewal is ‘Community Action for Sustainability’ (CAS). A number of
integrated community projects aimed at empowering the community build
upon our general approach to community renewal, by focusing on building
social capital, fostering community cohesion and diversity, and
empowering people to work together to create healthy and happy homes
and suburbs. CAS Projects actively involve ‘neighbourhood communities’
in the design and implementation of physical neighbourhood improvements
to public and private spaces including the streetscape, community
gardening and food swaps, community arts activities, environmental
education activities such as drain stencilling and public open space
maintenance and improvement. These community-initiated activities are
undertaken with a range of community partners including local
residents, NGOs, sponsors, schools and local Councils.
From 2006-2007, JSA was a consultant to
Bonnyrigg Partnerships (a consortium between the Becton Property Group,
Spotless Services Australia, St George Community Housing and Westpac Bank) who
were engaged by Housing NSW to redevelop the Bonnyrigg Public Housing Estate in
southwest Sydney under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act
1979 (NSW). The estate, in the Fairfield
local government area, covers 81 hectares and was home to about 3,300 residents
in 833 Social Housing properties and approximately 100 privately owned properties.
JSA was selected for its experience working at the
intersection between urban design, community renewal, community participation,
urban planning and social impact assessment; and for our particular capacity in
working with marginalised communities, in this case where only one-third spoke
English. JSA had a key role in establishing the project, and were responsible
for housing market studies, social planning and social impact assessment and
mitigation strategies, planning for all aspects of community renewal services,
and communication and consultation to be provided over the 15-year life of the
project.
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