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Architecture, Built Environment and Planning Research (UoA13)

Architecture, built environment and planning research works in and across three research groups. They have collaborated for more than two decades. They returned together in both the 2014 REF and 2008 RAE.

Research groups

Architecture, Built Environment, and Planning research works across three research groups.

They have collaborated for more than two decades. They returned together in both the 2014 REF and 2008 RAE.

Our research groups are the:

The first two are in the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape (SAPL). The School is in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS).

The latter is part of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES). That's in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE).

Inter-disciplinary across the Unit

Inter-disciplinarity is encoded into the work of the Unit. There is vibrant cross-participation and joint publication between these groups. Numerous researchers hold dual affiliations. Several staff, over time, have moved between SAPL and SNES or vice versa.

International focus

The Architecture, Built Environment, and Planning research of the unit is highly international. We have extensive involvement in European projects and across the globe. This includes a major role in two UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund hubs in Newcastle:

Research impact

We have a strong orientation towards challenge-led research and work with impact. It's supported by a deep commitment to processes of engagement and co-production.

We have increasingly experimented with methodologies that enable more effective community communication and collaboration. They also enable tangible, material outcomes, drawn from the humanities and creative practice.

Major research highlights

Some major research highlights in the REF period include the:

£8m Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment (HBBE)

This was awarded in 2019 through Research England’s Expanding Excellence in England programme. It's intended to grow new disciplines in recognition of the Unit’s vision of developing a new type of building science.

Find out more about the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment

£3.8 million National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE)

The Centre was funded by Research England in 2020. It undertakes research and knowledge exchange to:

  • inform rural enterprise policy
  • foster innovation and resilience of rural businesses
  • unlock the potential of rural economies

It's based upon the long-standing expertise of CRE in these areas.

Find out more about the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise 

Extensive series of inter-disciplinary projects on urban issues

These include digital civics, health and ageing, and the £9.2 million Future Homes project. They help underpin research expertise represented in the University’s Centre for Researching Cities.

Inclusive research culture

Our Architecture, Built Environment, and Planning research unit focuses on giving everyone the freedom and opportunity to succeed. We enjoy high rates of staff retention and career progression.

We strive for an inclusive research culture. Sixty-eight colleagues are returned as part of the Unit’s submission to REF2021.

Research case studies

Planning for Public Health

This case study illustrates the changes to public policy and practitioner activities. Townshend’s extensive research informs these. It explores the connections between the built environment and public health.

This work has identified the challenges facing neighbourhoods experiencing high rates of obesity. These include:

  • being over-provided with hot food takeaways
  • the existence of obesogenic environments
  • the emergence of ‘toxic high streets’

To address these, Townshend has generated an ongoing dialogue between policymakers and professionals. from both public health and planning.

This has shaped policy debates and the development of national guidance. It integrates public health and planning, and has influenced planning policy and guidance.

Supporting the Rural Economy

England’s rural areas contain over 500,000 enterprises. They employ 3,500,000 people and contribute over £260bn to the economy every year.

Beyond agriculture, rural economies are now complex amalgamations of many sectors such as:

  • manufacturing
  • wholesale and retail
  • construction
  • transport
  • professional and business services

Their functioning is poorly understood within mainstream enterprise policies. This is the knowledge gap addressed by Newcastle University’s Centre for Rural Economy.

Its pioneering research on the rural economy and society led, in 2013, to a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. This is the most prestigious award available for a UK higher education institution.

This case study describes the impact of research carried out by the Centre. It informs and shapes policies and support for rural business growth and productivity. This has fed into the development and implementation of the wider UK Industrial Strategy.

Newcastle City Futures

Newcastle City Futures is a collaborative innovation platform to address urban needs. It links academic research expertise to external partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors. It also facilitates new innovative proof of concept projects.

The uniqueness of this platform lay in its approach to involving everyone in the city in the development of its future.

Single sectors, disciplines, agencies or businesses usually work independently to provide solutions. We provide a new way to harness the creative thinking and expertise of diverse groups of people.

Funded by a £1.4m UKRI Urban Living Partnership grant and a £15k UK Government Office for Science Foresight project. Experts from academia, government and voluntary sectors work with citizens and industry leaders.

Our key impacts include the development of 196 stakeholder partnerships. This resulted in 77 new innovative project ideas, leading to 30 new projects. This attracted £27m in new funding to the city-region.

We have helped to change the policy, governance and practice in the city and region. As a result, Newcastle is now seen as a smart city exemplar.

Testing Ground

We look at how interdisciplinary research into sustainable design can have a positive impact. Our practice-based research contributes to environmental and social sustainability initiatives in rural Northumberland.

The series of award-winning design-build artefacts has enhanced public understanding and education. Factors that amplify this include:

  • the provision of new facilities
  • learning resources
  • community involvement
  • participatory research and engagement activities

The research process and the constructed artefacts have informed new approaches and practices.

They contribute to the local economy, developing new infrastructures and improved visitor facilities. They enhance the experience and conservation of Northumberland’s unique landscapes and ecologies.

Revitalising Rural Planning Participation Through Artistic Practice

We focus on the impact of the performing and visual arts in revitalising rural community participation. We look at development and planning processes across north east England.

Two innovative research collaborations with visual and performing arts organisations inform our work.

Artistic interventions can align planning processes with community engagement planning practitioners. This leads to novel approaches to participation and plan-making.

It also enhances the profiles of arts practitioners involved by extending their reach to diverse audiences.

Find out more

To find out more, see the School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape and School of Natural and Environmental Sciences websites.