In 2006 Andrew Merry created some fascinating photos of Sydney, Australia from the air, looking at pattern, colour and shape of suburbs.
As The Guardian notes, these images still have relevance today; but that could be due, in no small part, to Andrew Merry’s reporting, and the reactions that Sydneysiders had to them.
As the Museum of Sydney observed, homeownership is highly prized in Sydney, with a population of 4.5 million that is expected to grow to 6 million by the year 2036. But even with 200,000 new homes planned to be built, the housing crisis is expected to remain acute.
“Merry had not anticipated the ‘overwhelming’ response to his images. ‘Some people said. “Why do you need so much space?” I was quite shocked by the level of angst and anger,’ he says. ‘I don’t think I met anyone who said “I love these houses, I want one” – but obviously people do.’
Woodcroft, north-west Sydney.
“‘Originally my interest was in the aesthetics of new suburbia, but as it evolved, I became more interested in the actual issues of urban sprawl: the types of architecture being built, the lack of trees and footpaths, houses that take up the whole block,’ says Merry. ‘I guess some people call them McMansions.'”
Images: Museum of Sydney
You can read the whole article and see more of Merry’s images here.
