ESR15
Social Evaluation of Regeneration
School of Architecture, University of Reading, United Kingdom
Research project
The aim of this project is to develop a methodology for the evaluation of a large housing regeneration scheme that takes into account the impact on residents and to implement and test the methodology in the field as a basis for future housing regeneration. There is growing recognition across industry of the importance of Post Occupancy Evaluation, not just in terms of energy and environmental performance but also in terms of social value, the focus of this project. The project will build on existing methods in participatory design and is likely to involve extensive community consultation.
The researcher will develop an in-depth knowledge of Post Occupancy Evaluation, the measuring and mapping of social value as well as techniques for working with communities to co-create knowledge. S/he will develop important skills in translating knowledge across industry and academic boundaries.
Tasks
- ->To conduct an individual research project, interlinked with the other ESRs projects, focusing on:
- ↳A cross-European literature review of post-occupancy evaluation with particular reference to the social value
- ↳The development of an evaluative framework for housing regeneration
- ↳Methodologies to analyse the impacts of housing design on people and communities from a quality of life perspective
- ↳Developing indicators for measuring and mapping the impacts of redevelopment on people and communities from a quality of life perspective
- ↳Developing a method to define the sphere of social influence of a particular development
- ↳Developing a definition of the communities and stakeholders influenced by a regeneration scheme
- ↳Involvement of residents in the evaluation process
- ↳A series of policy recommendations
- ->To participate in the network-wide activities (workshops, summer schools, conferences)
- ->To carry out the training required by the PhD programme of the host university.
As part of the individual research project, ESRs will carry out two secondments, each of 2 to 4 months, in the partner organisations.
ESRs are expected to have completed a doctoral thesis that can be defended at the host institution within or shortly thereafter the project lifetime.
Host university
UREAD refers to the new industry focused School of Architecture at the University of Reading close to London UK and is part of the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CACHE). The researcher will join the highly interdisciplinary Urban Living research group which spans across the School of Built Environment and has strong connections with Real Estate and Planning and the Business School within the University. UREAD was instrumental in leading on the Social Value Toolkit for Architecture and Pathways to Post Occupancy Evaluation, both published by the Royal Institute of British Architects and is therefore an industry leader in this area.
Contact
Prof. Flora Samuel (f.b.samuel@reading.ac.uk)