University-led regeneration

This research project was initiated by Dr Clare Melhuish, Senior Research Associate in the Urban Laboratory, in Summer 2013.

Supported by UCL Estates, the research brief was to produce a set of comparative case studies in university-led regeneration, using a range of cross-disciplinary urban research methods, which would also inform the development of UCL's own spatial development project in east London - UCL East - and discussions about the university's own role within inclusive urban development in London.

At the same time it makes a significant contribution to the university's cross-disciplinary scholarship on urban regeneration, and public and academic debates more widely.

For ongoing comment and analysis, please refer to Dr Clare Melhuish's research blog.

Case Studies

This initial set of five case studies from the research project, which analyse the processes and impacts of urban regeneration initiatives led by universities in the UK and US, was originally published in September 2015, and forms the basis for an ongoing process of dissemination and research development based in the UCL Urban Laboratory. They are open access - freely available to download and share online - so that they can inform a wider discussion about the role of universities in urban change.

Download them below as PDFs by clicking on the covers:

Case Studies in University-led urban regeneration - front cover

Introduction - University-led urban regeneration case study (pdf)

Case Study 1 - Queen's Campus, Durham - University-led urban regeneration (pdf)

Case Study 2 - University of Cambridge - University-led Urban Regeneration (pdf)

Case Study 3 - Newcastle University at Science Central (pdf)

Case Study 4 - The US models – University of Pennsylvania, New York University, and Columbia University (pdf)

Case Study 5 - Lambeth Council, Brixton Green and Ovalhouse Theatre in South London (pdf)

A limited-run print edition of the initial five case studies were published in January 2016 to coincide with a research seminar. We are able to distribute print copies to those working on the subject in academia, policy, press or practice. Please email urbanlaboratory@ucl.ac.uk for more information.

Additionally a presentation has been developed to summarise the key points from the case studies - view here (pdf).

Papers

Melhuish, C., '"A place for the unexpected, integrated into the city structure": universities as agents of cosmopolitan urbanism', March 2019, Architecture and Nation special issue, National Identities: critical inquiry into nationhood, politics and culture.

Short course

September 2017 - Urban Lab Exchange: University urbanism (weblink)

Research seminars

November 2013 - University-led urban regeneration: research methods in practice (weblink)
January 2016 - Beyond the red line: how are universities re-imagining cities and urban communities through their spatial development plans? (weblink; audio; programme; presentations; blog)
November 2016 - Role of universities in 'co-curating' urban heritage with communities in the city (weblink)
April 2017 - Universities and urban heritage workshop at the University of Gothenburg (weblink)

Interim findings (March 2015)

Media

January 2016 - Placemaking Resource
April 2016 - Times Higher Education

Presentations

December 2014, Campus Concept Group, UCL - University-led urban regeneration?
December 2014, National Engage conference, Bristol - University campus development case study research
July 2015, Urban University conference, Northampton - 'How do universities mobilise support for campus development in urban contexts?' the imagery of university place-making in an era of public funding cuts
September 2015, Urban Lab+ conference - University-led urban development as a resource for international urban education
March 2016, AAG conference, San Francisco - Beyond the red line: are universities re-imagining cities and urban life through their capital investment programmes?
July 2016, UCL East Summer School - Do towns and cities get the universities they deserve? How can universities lead on urban regeneration?
September 2016, Radar at Loughborough University - The Civic University
September 2017, University of Manchester, Universities: space, place, community conference - 'Participatory heritage, spatial politics and the development of two city universities' (presentation - pdf)
June 2018, Italian Cultural Institute and the London Festival of Architecture, Knowledge Territories panel discussion on the role of architecture in redefining contemporary universities - Discussant
June 2018, York Festival of Ideas, Brexit, Culture Wars and Universities - have universities lost public trust?, in What is the future of UK Higher Education? session
June 2018, London Festival of Architecture and Royal Academy of Arts, Does Identity Matter? symposium - 'Universities as agents of change in urban identities', in panel 1: The destruction of a city's identity (presentation - pdf)