PhD Scholarship /// Adding Without Subtracting: A Community-Based Approach to Incremental Affordable Housing Development, University of Newcastle, School of Architecture and Built Environment
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Adding Without Subtracting: A Community-Based Approach to Incremental Affordable Housing Development
Background & Rationale
The majority of Australia’s urban land is already developed as low-density suburbs, leaving limited opportunities for new affordable housing without disrupting existing communities. At the same time, community resistance to infill development remains one of the most significant barriers to increasing supply. Many residents' fear loss of amenity, neighbourhood character, or control over local change.
This PhD responds to these challenges by exploring collective, consensual, and neighbourhood-scale approaches to incremental affordable housing. Rather than relying on top-down planning or large-scale redevelopment, the research investigates how communities can participate in shaping small, distributed additions to existing suburbs, “adding without subtracting,” while improving amenity for current residents.
Aim: To develop a community-based, co-designed model for incremental, affordable housing in established suburbs that increases supply while enhancing neighbourhood amenity.
Key Questions:
What international best-practice models exist for neighbourhood-level co-design of affordable housing?
How can communities meaningfully participate in shaping incremental housing additions?
What social, spatial, and governance factors support community support of new affordable housing?
How can co-design processes shift perceptions and build legitimacy for affordable housing in established suburbs?
What tools or frameworks can help practitioners, councils, and housing providers implement incremental, community supported development?
Candidate Profile (Indicative)
Honours or master’s degree in architecture, urban design, urban planning, human geography, social sciences, or related fields
Strong interest in affordable housing, community engagement, and urban policy
Experience with qualitative and/or participatory research
Ability to work collaboratively with communities and stakeholders
Strong communication skills
Eligibility for PhD admission at the University of Newcastle
Scholarship & Support
A 3.5-year PhD scholarship will be offered as part of the NSW Affordable Housing Network, subject to University of Newcastle HDR admission requirements. Stipend rates follow UON’s published scholarship guidelines.
Location & Mode
Based primarily at the University of Newcastle, School of Architecture and Built Environment. Hybrid arrangements may be considered depending on project needs and supervisory approval.
PhD Scholarship details
Funding: NSW Affordable Housing Network and Doctoral Training Centre $38,938 per annum (2026 rate) indexed annually. For a PhD candidate, the living allowance scholarship and tuition fee scholarship are for 3.5 years. Scholarships also include up to $1,500 relocation allowance.
Supervisor: Dr Hugo Moline, Dr Maggie Tang, Dr Sarah Breen Lovett
Available to: Domestic students
To apply, and for all further information:
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