Culture of Place describes the features of a place that give it its unique identity. It is the continuing interplay between political, physical, economic, social and technological forces that occur over time to create a unique place. The Culture of Place of an area can be describes through its distinctive: 

• Architecture.

• Streetscape.

• Noise.

• Colour.

• Lifestyles.

• Histories.

• Indigenous cultures.

• Cultural diversity.

• Street life.

• Energy.

• Vitality. 

Find out more about Culture of Place:

• Culture of Place

• GTA Bulletin Article 

Culture of place can be influenced by:

• the continuity of cultures in different places

• the processes of diffusion, adoption and adaptation of culture

• the mediums facilitating cultural change

These mediums can include: 

• media

• brands

• sport

• music

• fashion

• food

• movement of peoples. 

In our study sites,  the change in Culture of Place has occurred mainly through the movement of people, caused by a geographic process of urban renewal through gentrification. Gentrification is  the process whereby the character of a poor urban area is changed by wealthier people moving in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, often displacing current inhabitants in the process. The gentrification process has been lead by a deliberate NSW government policy to renew the three study areas. 

The traditional owners of the land were the Gadigal clan of the Eora nation. After colonisation by the British, settlement spread west from the Rocks into Dawes and Millers Point making them the oldest suburbs in Sydney. In 1814 Thomas Miller, a Sergeant in the 73rd Regiment of Foot, received a grant of land from the Governor. A small mill that was owned by Jack Leighton was located here. The area became known as Jack, the Miller's Point.

The urban villages of Millers and Dawes Point have traditionally been characterised by a strong working class population. During the early 1900’s the suburb was home to maritime trades and housed a large number of maritime and wharf workers.

Originally, the Maritime Services Board (MSB) built housing for their workers around the 1920's so that they could be close to their work at Darling Harbour (now Barangaroo) and Walsh Bay. With increased mechanisation on ports, and the eventual loss of working ports, the MSB housing was eventually transferred to the Department of Housing (1986) to provide low cost housing for low socio-economic residents. In addition, the southern fringe of Millers Point has been encroached on by high-rise apartment towers for high socio-economic CBD residents. Due to this demographic change the physical nature of the suburb has also changed.

In recent years Millers and Dawes Point, have become attractive to wealthy investors and are classic examples of gentrifying suburbs. 

In 2014 the NSW government (Department of Housing ) began the process of selling Millers Point and Dawes Point public housing to private buyers. 

Approx. 465 tenants would be evicted and rehoused over the next two years, including descendants of the original Millers Point maritime workers. 

Private investors were attracted by the area’s heritage charm and proximity to the CBD. The sale generated approx. $608m.  

The suburb of Millers Point is listed on the National Trust register and NSW State Heritage Register as a ''living cultural landscape'' with ''an unusually high and rare degree of social significance''. The listing was the first time a whole precinct, not just individual buildings, were protected under heritage law. The listing describes the precinct’s social significance, including ‘the continuing presence of descendants of the original workers, and its unity and authenticity as a distinct community’.

In addition to the social heritage, the amount of physical heritage that should be retained is also constantly under debate as developers attempt to maximise profits in historic and redeveloped areas of the suburb.

Find out more:

• "Living cultural landscape" is a term used to describe Millers Point. Describe what this means and how Millers Point embodies this concept. Use a T-chart of the challenges and benefits of maintaining such a landscape in a modern urban context.

• Discuss the significance of the NSW government's decision to sell Millers Point and Dawes Point public housing. What were the implications for the community, and how does it reflect broader urban development trends in Sydney?

View the Introductory Powerpoint to view general information about the topic and study sites.