The role of bridge infrastructure in urban liveability: The case of Northern Ireland

Summary

Bridges are incredibly important, nonetheless their design, function, publics, locations, usefulness, and main users remain little understood in urban liveability studies.

As cities develop, grow, and spread outwards, bridges, either for motorized vehicles (e.g. cars, trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles) or other publics (e.g. walkers, bicyclists, impaired individuals, micromobility users, wildlife) are increasingly required to facilitate movement across natural obstacles (e.g. rivers, lakes, mountains) and human-built structures (motorways, railroads, buildings, landfills).

Non-motorized bridges, such as Derry’s Millennium Peace Bridge over the River Foyle, the Lagan Weir footbridge in Belfast city centre, Castlerock Footbridge, and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge above the Atlantic Ocean are some of Northern Ireland’s most well-known bridges for people.

The new iconic pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Lagan both involve bridges exemplifies decarbonisation, a transition to low carbon transport, and net zero urban liveability. Hence, this PhD project aims to analyse the role, function, and utility of bridge infrastructure in urban studies and planning in Northern Ireland.

Through mixed methods, the project will seek to answer these three main research questions:

(i) To what extent are bridges in Northern Ireland helping to increase the liveability of neighbourhoods, localities, and cities?

(ii) Are they functioning more as elements of economic development for a few or being used as amenities to increase quality of life for all?

(iii) Are urban and transport planners, architects, and policy makers privileging vehicular bridges over bridges for people?

The PhD research provides a unique opportunity to explore and reveal how infrastructure planning can be designed to facilitate accessibility and mobility while alleviating traffic congestion and also to partially resolve social injustices, increase safety and comfort for NI’s most vulnerable citizens, strengthen climate resilience through more than human design efforts, and help create shared and liveable neighbourhood communities.

Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Roads & Rivers, Highway Structures Unit

DfI is committed to granting the PhD researcher access to its facilities, office space, data-sharing, staff-time, training, potential co-supervision, promotion and dissemination of research findings, etc.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of no more than 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD Scholarships are available for this project and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

To be eligible for these scholarships applicants must: be a UK or Irish national; or have pre-settled or settled status; or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme i.e. September 2027.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.