ISF PhD candidate explores urban development that prioritises human and environmental health
In the vibrant and ever-expanding cityscape of Sydney, Australia, urban living is rapidly evolving.
As the city grows, high-density buildings become the norm, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for urban development and the lived experiences of apartment residents.
Amid this urban transformation, Tamara Al-Obaidi, a PhD candidate at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF), embarks on a journey to explore health and wellbeing within these towering structures.
A rich professional background
Before beginning her PhD journey at ISF, Tamara completed a bachelor’s in environmental health from Flinders University (Australia). She spent eight years as an environmental health professional, consulting on environmental and public health matters for major mixed and residential developments in London.
Prior to this role, she conducted health impact assessments for large infrastructure projects abroad and worked with a public health unit in Australia, responding to events like the 2011 Queensland Floods, managing outbreaks, and enforcing public health legislation.
The research vision and joining ISF
Driven by an innate curiosity for health and wellbeing in urban development, Tamara joined ISF in pursuit of open, creative, and exploratory research opportunities.
Her research focuses on the influences of health and wellbeing in high-density apartment buildings. Recognising a global push towards high-density developments to tackle various societal issues – affordable housing, population growth, and sustainable development – she aims to ensure that urban solutions do not compromise residents' health.
Through studying residents’ perceptions in Sydney, her research aims to establish an understanding of the factors affecting their wellbeing, thereby guiding future developments that prioritise both human and environmental health.
"My aim is to establish a baseline of factors crucial for future developments," Tamara explains, "driven by the lived experiences of residents who navigate apartment living daily, without jeopardising the health of the environment and our planet.”
Words of wisdom for future researchers
Tamara offers valuable advice for prospective postgraduate students. “My number one tip for any interested students is to try to have as many chats as possible with potential supervisors before contemplating a degree, whether at ISF or elsewhere.” she suggests. "This allows both sides to see whether you sit on the same page."
She also emphasises embracing the interdisciplinary nature of ISF's research topics. "ISF’s openness to different methodologies and theoretical approaches is a strength." she notes. While the trans-disciplinary nature of ISF research can be isolating for some with more niche topics, Tamara says, “this can give students the freedom to explore their subjects without team constraints or the expectation of fitting within a rigid research framework.”
She says, "Moreover, you'll be exposed to interesting research that is truly cross-disciplinary in nature with the aim to create solutions and drive change for significant and pressing societal challenges.”
Tamara’s research not only contributes to a critical area of urban development studies but also underscores the importance of integrating health and wellbeing into the fabric of high-density living.
Her journey serves as an inspiring example of the impact of thoughtful, resident-centred research on shaping the future of our cities.