Just Transitions

How does the project address the Liveness Charter aims?

Co-production

The project brief is co-produced with our partners, taking into account their struggles and desires, all the while situating them in the planetary concerns. This year, the studios are working on projects related to just transition, in particular “just energy” with SADACCA and “just nature” with Regather.  The community representatives are involved in giving lectures, doing tours and visits, conducting reviews jointly and presenting the work of the students to other stakeholders. Over the summer, we curate the materials by the students and hand over the documents to the community partners as well for the sake of equitable reciprocity.

"Participating in the MA in Urban Design has proven to be an excellent opportunity to explore real-world challenges through the lens of creativity, design and architecture-led perspectives. A key strength of the process is the expert facilitation, connecting Regather as the client with the studio groups, enabling a fresh take on our work and opening up new insights. In our experience, this type of opportunity for a deeper two-way integration between the University and wider society is essential in enabling effective collaboration and knowledge exchange." (Gareth Roberts, Regather Director)

Sustainable

The studio’s intrinsic investigation of sustainable urban futures means that the themes of the student studies and outputs are based around designing sustainable spatial urban environments; addressing the challenges of the climate emergency. In addition the collaboration with partners has been developed over a long period, which in itself engenders sustainable relationships and ensures that student designs are specific to people and place.

Equitable

Having worked with the same partners for more than 4 years now, a relationship of trust and reciprocity has been built. The community representatives understand the value of their interaction with the students, and also trust that their interaction with the School of Architecture is respectful to their needs and wishes. Enabling community partners to co-develop the learning programme and to deliver teaching sessions within it, also helps to recognise the local knowledge and expertise that partners hold.

Experimental

The studios redefine typical urban design projects into speculative co-imagination of uncertain futures with the community. The projects are therefore experimental in their organisation, processes and outcomes.

Meaningful

This project is engaging with the specific community needs, and supporting community groups to address these needs. The projects are situated geographically in the communities, so that students are working on the ground and coming face-to-face with real issues.