PhD Study : The role of resilient design in urban masterplanning.

Summary

The ever-increasing prevalence and scale of hazardous events represents a growing concern for urban planners. These hazardous events have led to escalating property, infrastructure and economic losses. Set against a backdrop of increasing complexity, uncertainty and change within cities, this research seeks to advance knowledge around the capacity of dynamic and flexible urban environments to cope with disturbances.

Recent research in the field of resilient design suggests that embedding resilience principles within masterplanning processes can help to reduce the uncertainty of 21st century realities on our built environment. This research does not see resilience as a panacea to these challenges, however, it seeks to advance knowledge on the potential for resilient design strategies to go beyond the traditional resistance approach to uncertainty and instead embrace a new resilient planning paradigm founded on flexibility and adaptability. To assist this process of adaptive change, the research seeks to understand the key role resilient design can play in meaningfully engaging with the impact of hazardous events.

The research aims to build an evidence base of how resilient design principles can be practically translated into urban design strategies. A misunderstanding of the value of design in resilient urban planning, coupled with a disconnect between design and policy, are argued to be the key impediments to the design of a resilient built environment. Improved understanding and communication of the transformative potential in resilient design, and the conditions under which it can operate, would help to bridge the gap between resilient design and policy in the context of today’s complex city planning.

In this regard, the study will present research that seeks to enhance the resilient capacity of cities through the identification of resilient masterplanning strategies and the conditions in which they operate.

This research is set against a backdrop of the 100 Resilient Cities network, in which Belfast is an active participant. Positioned at a land/water interface, the city is subject to environmental, social and economic adversity. Belfast city has the potential to serve as a test-bed for local level research. It is anticipated that resilient design principles garnered locally can be used as a foundation to inform international, empirical research.

The work will involve three key research themes

(1) A state of the art review of the resilience concept, particularly in the field of urban design;

(2) An investigation into the potential symbiosis between resilient design and urban design; and

(3) An exploration of the extent to which resilient design is reflected within existing urban design strategies.

Ultimately, the research seeks to advance knowledge in the field of resilient design. In particular, the aim is to develop a new resilient masterplanning paradigm which can help shape practical policy outcomes, thus enabling cities to be adaptable, sustainable and fit for purpose in the face of adversity.

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.

• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• 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) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living