Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
@uomspal.bsky.social
Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab | Department of Planning, Property & Environmental Management | University of @Manchester.ac.uk
https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/planning/research/groups/spatial-policy-and-analysis-laboratory/
https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/planning/research/groups/spatial-policy-and-analysis-laboratory/
Pinned
Hello Bluesky! We're the Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab - a group of researchers in the Dept of Planning, Property & Environmental Management at the University of Manchester
Coming up in a couple of weeks!
The third annual Brian Robson Lecture - 'High Hopes, Hard Realities: Civic Universities at the crossroads' - will be delivered by Professor John Goddard OBE on 27 Nov 2025. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We hope you can join us there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
High Hopes, Hard Realities: Civic Universities at the crossroads
Get ready to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities facing civic universities today at High Hopes, Hard Realities - see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Coming up in a couple of weeks!
Cecilia Wong took was on the panel at Monday's 'Reimagining New Towns' event, responding to the report of the New Towns Task Force from a spatial planning perspective.
Cecilia recently co-authored a blog (with Mark Baker and Sui Zhang) available here: blog.policy.manchester.ac.uk/posts/2025/1...
Cecilia recently co-authored a blog (with Mark Baker and Sui Zhang) available here: blog.policy.manchester.ac.uk/posts/2025/1...
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Cecilia Wong took was on the panel at Monday's 'Reimagining New Towns' event, responding to the report of the New Towns Task Force from a spatial planning perspective.
Cecilia recently co-authored a blog (with Mark Baker and Sui Zhang) available here: blog.policy.manchester.ac.uk/posts/2025/1...
Cecilia recently co-authored a blog (with Mark Baker and Sui Zhang) available here: blog.policy.manchester.ac.uk/posts/2025/1...
The third annual Brian Robson Lecture - 'High Hopes, Hard Realities: Civic Universities at the crossroads' - will be delivered by Professor John Goddard OBE on 27 Nov 2025. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We hope you can join us there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
High Hopes, Hard Realities: Civic Universities at the crossroads
Get ready to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities facing civic universities today at High Hopes, Hard Realities - see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The third annual Brian Robson Lecture - 'High Hopes, Hard Realities: Civic Universities at the crossroads' - will be delivered by Professor John Goddard OBE on 27 Nov 2025. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We hope you can join us there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
Join us on 26 Nov at @manchester.ac.uk for an event to discuss digital solutions to sustainable housing expansion with a panel of experts, and try out the DSH.
To register, please email digital-solutions@manchester.ac.uk with your name, role, organisation, and any dietary/access requirements.
To register, please email digital-solutions@manchester.ac.uk with your name, role, organisation, and any dietary/access requirements.
October 29, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Join us on 26 Nov at @manchester.ac.uk for an event to discuss digital solutions to sustainable housing expansion with a panel of experts, and try out the DSH.
To register, please email digital-solutions@manchester.ac.uk with your name, role, organisation, and any dietary/access requirements.
To register, please email digital-solutions@manchester.ac.uk with your name, role, organisation, and any dietary/access requirements.
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
New call for papers: What is the future for global development?
We are pleased to announce that GDI is hosting a conference in April 2026, and we are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters.
Please see the full Call for Papers for more info as well as the form to submit: bit.ly/4omBJ6o
We are pleased to announce that GDI is hosting a conference in April 2026, and we are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters.
Please see the full Call for Papers for more info as well as the form to submit: bit.ly/4omBJ6o
November 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
New call for papers: What is the future for global development?
We are pleased to announce that GDI is hosting a conference in April 2026, and we are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters.
Please see the full Call for Papers for more info as well as the form to submit: bit.ly/4omBJ6o
We are pleased to announce that GDI is hosting a conference in April 2026, and we are now accepting abstracts for papers and posters.
Please see the full Call for Papers for more info as well as the form to submit: bit.ly/4omBJ6o
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
New paper on the interactions between housing and digital inequalities. It highlights how the built environment shapes experiences of digital exclusion, and that housing can be an important focus for improving connectivity. Particularly salient at a time of increasing digitalisation in planning🏠💻
Housing, poverty, and digital exclusion: the multiple ways in which digital inequalities and housing inequalities intersect
Given the importance of digital technologies in shaping everyday life, it is widely accepted that digital exclusion is a key facet of poverty. Relatedly, housing inequalities, and the broader struc...
doi.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
New paper on the interactions between housing and digital inequalities. It highlights how the built environment shapes experiences of digital exclusion, and that housing can be an important focus for improving connectivity. Particularly salient at a time of increasing digitalisation in planning🏠💻
Still time to register to attend the 3rd Brian Robson Lecture delivered by Professor John Goddard on 27 Nov 2025 at the University of Manchester. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We look forward to seeing you there! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
High Hopes, Hard Realities: Civic Universities at the crossroads
Get ready to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities facing civic universities today at High Hopes, Hard Realities - see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Still time to register to attend the 3rd Brian Robson Lecture delivered by Professor John Goddard on 27 Nov 2025 at the University of Manchester. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We look forward to seeing you there! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
@julianskyrme.bsky.social represented @manchester.ac.uk at the HESI Global Forum 2025, part of the UN High-Level Political Forum, joining global experts to explore how universities can drive inclusive and equitable SDG solutions🌍
Read more: www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/all-news/uni...
Read more: www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/all-news/uni...
University contributes to UN Global Sustainability Forum < Social Responsibility
In July, the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), a partnership between global higher education and the United Nations, hosted the HESI Global Forum 2025 as part of the UN High-Level…
www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk
October 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
@julianskyrme.bsky.social represented @manchester.ac.uk at the HESI Global Forum 2025, part of the UN High-Level Political Forum, joining global experts to explore how universities can drive inclusive and equitable SDG solutions🌍
Read more: www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/all-news/uni...
Read more: www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/all-news/uni...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
We need #HealthyHomesNow! We're campaigning for political commitment to ensure that all new homes are healthy, secure & genuinely affordable. We’re seeking amendments to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill to deliver healthy homes & neighbourhoods.
Join the campaign:
www.tcpa.org.uk/healthy-home...
Join the campaign:
www.tcpa.org.uk/healthy-home...
October 22, 2025 at 9:58 AM
We need #HealthyHomesNow! We're campaigning for political commitment to ensure that all new homes are healthy, secure & genuinely affordable. We’re seeking amendments to the Planning & Infrastructure Bill to deliver healthy homes & neighbourhoods.
Join the campaign:
www.tcpa.org.uk/healthy-home...
Join the campaign:
www.tcpa.org.uk/healthy-home...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
Please join us for the 3rd Brian Robson Lecture delivered by Professor John Goddard on 27 Nov 2025 at the University of Manchester. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We look forward to seeing you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Please join us for the 3rd Brian Robson Lecture delivered by Professor John Goddard on 27 Nov 2025 at the University of Manchester. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We look forward to seeing you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
Please join us for the 3rd Brian Robson Lecture delivered by Professor John Goddard on 27 Nov 2025 at the University of Manchester. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We look forward to seeing you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Please join us for the 3rd Brian Robson Lecture delivered by Professor John Goddard on 27 Nov 2025 at the University of Manchester. Book your place via the following Eventbrite link. We look forward to seeing you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/high-hopes...
One of our members, Dr Khashayar Kazemzadeh, spoke to the One Show earlier this week about the future of e-scooters in towns and cities 👇
Dr Khashayar Kazemzadeh from our Property, Planning and Environmental Management department spoke to The One Show on BBC1 yesterday about how e-scooters can be integrated into our towns and cities.
Watch here (from 01.45m) 👉 www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
@manchester.ac.uk @uomhums.bsky.social
Watch here (from 01.45m) 👉 www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
@manchester.ac.uk @uomhums.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 1:20 PM
One of our members, Dr Khashayar Kazemzadeh, spoke to the One Show earlier this week about the future of e-scooters in towns and cities 👇
Several of our members took part in the UK-Ireland Planning Research Conference earlier in September. The annual conference brings together spatial planning scholars and practitioners, and was hosted by Ulster University in Belfast, with the theme 'Looking forward: (re-)imagining planning futures'
September 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Several of our members took part in the UK-Ireland Planning Research Conference earlier in September. The annual conference brings together spatial planning scholars and practitioners, and was hosted by Ulster University in Belfast, with the theme 'Looking forward: (re-)imagining planning futures'
Congratulations to all the winners, including Dongsheng He, who's winning entry in the Tony Crook Award for Early Career Research was co-authored with our own Guibo Sun!
Congratulations to the 5 winning entries for the 2025 RTPI Awards for Research Excellence. 🙌
Discover the winners 👇
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/events-training-and-awards/awards/rtpi-awards-for-research-excellence/
Discover the winners 👇
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/events-training-and-awards/awards/rtpi-awards-for-research-excellence/
September 15, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Congratulations to all the winners, including Dongsheng He, who's winning entry in the Tony Crook Award for Early Career Research was co-authored with our own Guibo Sun!
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
We've produced a wealth of guidance & resources to support those interested in long-term stewardship. On 16 October our webinar will explore the practical realities of ongoing management & stewardship of large scale new communities, & wider placemaking and governance. www.tcpa.org.uk/event/stewar...
Long-term stewardship - Town and Country Planning Association
Creating places which enable people to live healthy and fulfilling lives means providing the spaces, places and infrastructure that people need to live well and which enable the natural world to thriv...
www.tcpa.org.uk
September 15, 2025 at 9:54 AM
We've produced a wealth of guidance & resources to support those interested in long-term stewardship. On 16 October our webinar will explore the practical realities of ongoing management & stewardship of large scale new communities, & wider placemaking and governance. www.tcpa.org.uk/event/stewar...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
💜 “Manchester has always been the university to push against the status quo… the Manchester family is a diverse group of people, and it’s this collective voice that drives its innovative power.”
– Naa Acquah, Chair of the Alumni Association
– Naa Acquah, Chair of the Alumni Association
August 22, 2025 at 3:17 PM
💜 “Manchester has always been the university to push against the status quo… the Manchester family is a diverse group of people, and it’s this collective voice that drives its innovative power.”
– Naa Acquah, Chair of the Alumni Association
– Naa Acquah, Chair of the Alumni Association
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
A survey from the RTPI and YouGov reveals that the UK public has serious doubts about whether the next generation of new towns will meet future needs.
These findings echo recommendations in RTPI’s Futureproof New Towns interim report:
www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/au...
These findings echo recommendations in RTPI’s Futureproof New Towns interim report:
www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/au...
Public lacks confidence in the next generation of New Towns, but has clear ideas for getting them right, RTPI and YouGov survey finds
73% of Brits are not confident the next generation of new towns will meet community needs in 50 years’ time.
www.rtpi.org.uk
August 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
A survey from the RTPI and YouGov reveals that the UK public has serious doubts about whether the next generation of new towns will meet future needs.
These findings echo recommendations in RTPI’s Futureproof New Towns interim report:
www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/au...
These findings echo recommendations in RTPI’s Futureproof New Towns interim report:
www.rtpi.org.uk/news/2025/au...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
"The research highlights the importance of listening to communities [...] This kind of evidence is crucial for local councils and national bodies like Active Travel England as they work to design healthier, more inclusive urban spaces." - Dr Jack Benton
#ActiveTravel @ategov.bsky.social
#ActiveTravel @ategov.bsky.social
Expert from @uomseed.bsky.social partnered with @uninorthampton.bsky.social & Nottingham Trent University to assess how new walking, wheeling & cycling paths impact access, safety & use, especially for those with long-term health conditions. 🏞️
🔗 Read more: www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/m...
🔗 Read more: www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/m...
Manchester expert collaborates on major study evaluating active travel improvements
An expert from The University of Manchester has played a key role in a new research study evaluating the impact of active travel infrastructure improvements at Delapre Park in Northampton.Working in c...
www.manchester.ac.uk
August 7, 2025 at 10:51 AM
"The research highlights the importance of listening to communities [...] This kind of evidence is crucial for local councils and national bodies like Active Travel England as they work to design healthier, more inclusive urban spaces." - Dr Jack Benton
#ActiveTravel @ategov.bsky.social
#ActiveTravel @ategov.bsky.social
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
🌍 Two weeks ago, we teamed up with Policy@Manchester for a packed event exploring how research drives global sustainability policy.
The panel, chaired by Prof Michael Shaver, featured: Prof Diana Mitlin, Prof Matthew Paterson and Wasundara Doradeniya.
Catch the full recording: tinyurl.com/yvehch87
The panel, chaired by Prof Michael Shaver, featured: Prof Diana Mitlin, Prof Matthew Paterson and Wasundara Doradeniya.
Catch the full recording: tinyurl.com/yvehch87
UNEP - Shaping the Future of Global Sustainability Policy
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
tinyurl.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
🌍 Two weeks ago, we teamed up with Policy@Manchester for a packed event exploring how research drives global sustainability policy.
The panel, chaired by Prof Michael Shaver, featured: Prof Diana Mitlin, Prof Matthew Paterson and Wasundara Doradeniya.
Catch the full recording: tinyurl.com/yvehch87
The panel, chaired by Prof Michael Shaver, featured: Prof Diana Mitlin, Prof Matthew Paterson and Wasundara Doradeniya.
Catch the full recording: tinyurl.com/yvehch87
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
Interesting article about how East Germany's Eisenhüttenstadt (iron hut town) wants to fight depopulation: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
A free flat for a fortnight: the German city offering perks to fight depopulation
Eisenhüttenstadt, once a socialist vision but now at risk of becoming a ghost town, seeks to ditch its far-right image
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Interesting article about how East Germany's Eisenhüttenstadt (iron hut town) wants to fight depopulation: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
The latest issue of Town & Country Planning journal will soon be in the post!
In this free preview article, Prachi Rampuria, Soham De and Peter Neal discuss the masterplan for a sustainable urban extension to Letchworth, the world’s first Garden City: www.tcpa.org.uk/sample-journ...
In this free preview article, Prachi Rampuria, Soham De and Peter Neal discuss the masterplan for a sustainable urban extension to Letchworth, the world’s first Garden City: www.tcpa.org.uk/sample-journ...
July 29, 2025 at 9:38 AM
The latest issue of Town & Country Planning journal will soon be in the post!
In this free preview article, Prachi Rampuria, Soham De and Peter Neal discuss the masterplan for a sustainable urban extension to Letchworth, the world’s first Garden City: www.tcpa.org.uk/sample-journ...
In this free preview article, Prachi Rampuria, Soham De and Peter Neal discuss the masterplan for a sustainable urban extension to Letchworth, the world’s first Garden City: www.tcpa.org.uk/sample-journ...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
✍️ Three weeks on: How our high streets report sparked a national conversation...
@andrewcities.bsky.social reflects on the feedback received and discussions had in response to our recent report Checking Out 👇
@andrewcities.bsky.social reflects on the feedback received and discussions had in response to our recent report Checking Out 👇
Three weeks on: How our high streets report sparked a national conversation - Centre for Cities
Central government has an active role in improving high streets' performance and renewing city centres.
buff.ly
July 30, 2025 at 8:42 AM
✍️ Three weeks on: How our high streets report sparked a national conversation...
@andrewcities.bsky.social reflects on the feedback received and discussions had in response to our recent report Checking Out 👇
@andrewcities.bsky.social reflects on the feedback received and discussions had in response to our recent report Checking Out 👇
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
We’re hiring! Join us at MIOIR as a Postdoc on an international project exploring why mission-oriented policies for sustainability sometimes fail—and how to fix them. 🌱
Collaborate with teams in Canada and Poland on real-world policy challenges.
🗓 Apply by 12 Sept 👉 bit.ly/4oc0QJh
Collaborate with teams in Canada and Poland on real-world policy challenges.
🗓 Apply by 12 Sept 👉 bit.ly/4oc0QJh
Research Associate: Mission Oriented Innovation Policy for Sustainability:Manchester
bit.ly
July 30, 2025 at 8:44 AM
We’re hiring! Join us at MIOIR as a Postdoc on an international project exploring why mission-oriented policies for sustainability sometimes fail—and how to fix them. 🌱
Collaborate with teams in Canada and Poland on real-world policy challenges.
🗓 Apply by 12 Sept 👉 bit.ly/4oc0QJh
Collaborate with teams in Canada and Poland on real-world policy challenges.
🗓 Apply by 12 Sept 👉 bit.ly/4oc0QJh
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
Cities, closest to people and communities, are already scaling up solutions and driving progress through subnational collaboration, delivering faster, fairer, more inclusive climate action. A greener, more just future is still within reach, but we must act now. www.euronews.com/green/2025/0...
UN's top court says healthy environment is a human right
Experts say the non-binding advisory opinion could mark a turning point in international climate law.
www.euronews.com
July 25, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Cities, closest to people and communities, are already scaling up solutions and driving progress through subnational collaboration, delivering faster, fairer, more inclusive climate action. A greener, more just future is still within reach, but we must act now. www.euronews.com/green/2025/0...
Reposted by Spatial Policy & Analysis Lab
Trees growing on city streets are more resistant to drought than trees in parks because they are drinking from an unusual water source: leaky pipes.
Trees on city streets cope with drought by drinking from leaky pipes
Urban trees lining streets fare better in dry spells than those in parks – now it seems that leaky water pipes are the reason for their endurance
www.newscientist.com
July 25, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Trees growing on city streets are more resistant to drought than trees in parks because they are drinking from an unusual water source: leaky pipes.