Doctoral research

A Multilevel Integrated Methodological Approach of Low Carbon Heating Technologies’ Carbon Content Towards a Circular Economy in the UK

Doctoral researcher: Selman Sevindik

Selman's work focuses on Circular Economy, energy, building materials, low carbon technologies and a circular vision for sustainable growth in the built environment in islands and cities. He has a background in architecture and environmental design and engineering. He is currently a PhD student at Energy Institute.

Selman is also an active researcher in the Islands Laboratory, studying innovative solutions to climate change and accelerating the circular economy.

He is working in Wonder Learning as a Tableau coach to teach data modelling and visualisation with Tableau.

Algae Production On-board for Green and Sustainable Shipping

Doctoral researcher: Sinan Kalaz

This research will analyse this technique and focus on the technical and economic feasibility of utilizing flue gas from the propulsion machinery to a PBR on board a ship. It will use a systems approach; analyse the integration of the system with those already on-board through modelling and simulation. This will develop knowledge of interactions of such a system with propulsion machinery, waste heat recovery systems, current and future environmental technologies

Circular economy and office fit-outs – developing a socio-technical descriptive framework of office fit-out processes based on material flows

Doctoral researcher: Miguel Casas Arredondo

This work analysed fit-out processes within UCL Estates and London through mixed research methods, including quantitative material flow analyses and the qualitative analysis of interviews. In total, 31 supply-chain stakeholders related to the fit-out industry were contacted,  and five fit-out case studies as well as two Waste Contractor case studies were considered. The structure of the fit-out supply chain was mapped out,  and the roles and interactions of the relevant stakeholders were analysed. Key materials and components installed and removed at fit-outs projects were defined,  while waste streams generated were measured, and their paths and final destinations were traced. The socio-technical descriptive framework developed for office and higher education institution building fit-outs was used as a base to recognise key incentives,  and mechanisms that encourage higher rates of reuse, remanufacture and closed-loop recycling, from the design stage of building fit-outs and products to the treatment of wastes.

Collaborative infrastructures for just, ecological and transformative urban design

Doctoral researcher: Nikolett Puskas

In a transdisciplinary, multilayered research project I am employing creative participatory methodologies, gamification and serious gaming to address global and local challenges simultaneously. Facilitating informal and inclusive learning via innovative analogue and digital methods, investigating contextualized cultural vehicles to connect people, transcending language boundaries. The project addresses key themes of cities/citizens on the move, transformative urban futures, co-developing infrastructures in various local contexts. I am working across three sites in Budapest, Beirut and London with local experts and communities, focusing on increasing wellbeing and quality of life through creating sustainable, hybrid ecological and human urban environments via the application of nature-based solutions, ecosystem services. Ultimately contributing to prosperity, the right to the city and the right to claim environmental justice.

Interpreting the governance of urban circularity in shrinking cities and regions. The cases of Parkstad Limburg (NL) and Satakunta (FI)

Doctoral researcher: Marjan Marjanović

The present study aims to do so by investigating governance and policy-making processes in shrinking cities and regions. This is done by adopting the interpretive and deliberative approaches. The focus is on researching the ideational commitments of actors engaged in governing shrinking cities and how they interpret and generate meanings of urban circularity through interaction and deliberation. From the methodological aspect, the research makes extensive use of process-tracing and comparative case studies. These methods are further complemented with the narrative analysis to trace potential ideational explanations for the development of circularity in the context of shrinkage. The study's findings are expected to generate a comprehensive understanding of why and how the idea of urban circularity can be enacted into policy in shrinking cities and regions while offering robust insights into specific practices of governance towards urban circular systems.

The Role of Economic Rents in Sustainable Cities

Doctoral researcher: Stefan Horn

Stefan Horn is a PhD candidate at the Bartlett/UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose under the supervision of Dr Josh Ryan-Collins as principal supervisor and Professor Jo Williams as a second supervisor. Stefan’s research centres on the fundamental idea that value extraction through economic rents is in conflict with sustainability. In his thesis he investigates the role of land rents in sustainable cities. This involves developing a theoretical perspective on land rents that accounts for the value created by ‘low-value’ land uses that cannot afford market rents but are essential for circular practices. The thesis looks to contribute to the emerging discussion of the economic institutions that are required to transition to a circular economy. In particular, it is argued that as circular economy loops become tighter (from recycling to sharing) the question of ownership will become more pressing. 

URBAN RE-INDUSTRIALIZATION: Towards a More Sustainable Pattern of Industrial Urban Development inside Cities 

Doctoral researcher: Rana Zein

I am a PhD. candidate studying urban re-industrialization and its relevance to the Egyptian context, particularly the abandoned industrial areas lying inside urban cores. My research tries to develop a context-tailored urban framework to allow for a low-carbon and resource-efficient industrial re-activation of brownfields with the objectives of supporting the endeavours of promoting sustainable industrialization and urban development as well as strengthening urban economy inside cities. While simultaneously, optimizing the use of existing resources to respond to climatic and economic challenges. I have developed a range of qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques required to develop a complex urban framework within which several strategies and guidelines are outlined to support the re-industrialization of brownfields