Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments (SPE)

by Philippa Hughes, Danielle Sinnett and Jessica Lamond Biodiversity loss is a global threat. Urban development is a major contributing factor to this crisis, future urban growth could destroy habitats for hundreds of species. However, new approaches to urban development could help halt, and even reverse, the loss of biodiversity and create urban spaces that … Continue reading "What’s needed for urban development to better deliver for biodiversity? Examining the goals, co-benefits, barriers and enablers to biodiversity delivery in new urban development and redevelopment"

by Rachel Alcock-Hodgson How can a community know what impact their work has on their local area? What are the key features of a ‘Healthy High Street’ in a Bristol neighbourhood setting? Can monitoring be robust, community-led and place specific? In summer 2024, we  set out to collect information about the Arnside, Greystoke and Glencoyne … Continue reading "Healthy High Streets? Establishing a baseline and co-creating monitoring, in Glencoyne Square, Southmead"

By Danielle Sinnett, Issy Bray, Harry West and Owain Hanmer A recent study, using Bristol City Council’s Quality of Life data, has found that neighbourhood satisfaction, wellbeing and life satisfaction are all related to how satisfied residents are with their greenspaces. Mental health, particularly for urban populations, is a growing public health concern. There is … Continue reading "Quality of life and access to green-blue-grey infrastructure in Bristol"

by Lydia Mahan After completing my BSc in Urban Planning at the University of the West of England (UWE) earlier this year, I had the opportunity to dive deeper into the world of research through a summer internship with the university. This was an exciting and insightful experience, offering me a unique chance to explore … Continue reading "Reflection on a summer internship at UWE to explore the intersection of urban planning and sustainability"

by Reem Elnady Transportation is a cornerstone of integration for asylum seekers and refugees, serving as a vital link to education, healthcare, employment, and social connections. It fosters a sense of belonging and enables individuals to participate fully in their host communities. However, in Bristol, the cost and accessibility of transportation pose significant challenges for … Continue reading "Transportation and Integration: Challenges for Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Bristol"

By Yarden Woolf Literature tells us a walking interview is when a researcher walks alongside a participant during an interview (Kinney, 2017). This process usually involve a researcher accompanying participants and speaking with them, usually on foot and in a specific location (Kinney, 2017). Specifically, walking interviews have been used as a method to explore … Continue reading "Walking interviews as a research method"

by Hannah Hickman I teach a module on our postgraduate distance learning course – Planning and Urban Leadership – called “Managing Strategic Growth”.  It is framed around encouraging students to think at scale, and critically evaluate the role of planners and planning in growth management, with a focus on population, household and economic growth and … Continue reading "Some reflections on learning on the job …"

by Elahe Karimnia The vision for rejuvenating high streets through meanwhile projects—temporary use of vacant spaces—is gaining momentum. This approach is capturing the interest of local authorities, property owners, and developers as it offers a response to contemporary crises. While neoliberal strategies have often driven temporary uses of space, post-pandemic Europe has come to recognise … Continue reading "Spark the Future"