Department of Landscape Research Clusters
Transitional Edges
integrating socio-spatial urban
morphology and human well-being
Kevin Thwaites
Alice Mathers
Ian Simkins
University of Sheffield
Experiemics Ltd
United Kingdom
‘In short, we are interested in the
overlapping relationship
between physical form and
territorial control.’
(Habraken,1998,p.127)
Socially Restorative Urbanism
a theory and practice development agenda towards
cross-disciplinary integration for urban sustainable
living.
A more explicit understanding of the human-environment relationship as
mutually interdependent and mutually transforming at the heart of approaches to research,
teaching and practice.
Recognition of the interdependency of urban morphology and social,
political and economic processes, to better inform integration of professional, topdown processes with community-led bottom-up processes in urban place making,
management and adaptation.
The primacy of transitional edges, as socio-spatial components of urban
order, especially their key significance to the social life and vitality of the urban realm.
Emphasis on the need for accessible and inclusive forms of
communication capable of overcoming professional and community boundaries and
discipline specific boundaries.
Development of cross-disciplinary research, education and practice that
can better integrate built environment disciplines with psychology and sociological principles.
Development of new readings of the urban realm more closely related to
territorial functioning and in particular the need for a better balance between professional
intervention and occupant self-organisation.
Reorientation of practice and policy to be more localised and context
specific, emphasising the importance of longitudinal, time-sensitive partnership working.
Money is spent on place creation and regeneration – but what happens after the
designers have finished?
Who maintains and manages for the long term?
Who decides? Who owns? Who pays? Who cares?
The place-keeping group conducts empirical research to examine
management approaches to explore how the qualities and benefits of a place
can be maintained and enhanced over the long term.
Mel Burton & Dr Nicola Dempsey
Dr Nicola Dempsey & Mel Burton
Department of Landscape
Clare Rishbeth
Social dynamics of everyday urban places
Migration and landscape experience
Current research
The Un-Sociable Bench,
and other urban micro-territories of
encounter and intimidation.
AHRC Connected Communities programme.
What controls are enforced?
What role is played by
strategically ‘un-comfortable’
design?
Who has little option but to hang
out in public space?
Who is welcome?
What stories of conviviality or conflict
What intersections of identity:
could be told by your local bench?
class, race, gender, age are
How does sitting outdoors have benefits for
important?
personal and community wellbeing?
c.rishbeth@sheffield.ac.uk
©India Hobson
• Grey to Green, Sheffield
Sheffield Grey to Green Project (G2G)
© The University of Sheffield
17/0
7/20
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©India Hobson
Urban Meadows &
Low-input perennial
plantings