IN-PERSON London. Section A
Abstract
Global challenges such as climate change and pandemics mean that a liveable city must also be a resilient city. Previous research on city resilience has examined topics such infrastructures and planning. In social science, resilience research has typically been with disaster-struck communities. Little research on resilience has combined both built environment and community and we sought to address this gap. We conducted our research with almshouse communities in the UK. Charity-run and with a built estate that can range from centuries-old to new build, almshouses offer long-term, independent living to typically older, poorer residents. Almshouse communities can be considered as ‘proto-cities’ in their development over time of both built estate and human community within a specific geographic location. We applied qualitative methods to recorded and transcribed interviews or focus groups with 102 residents, staff and trustees of almshouse charities, in addition to site visits and document reviews. From our abductive thematic analysis, we identified two overarching clusters of factors contributing to resilience: ‘Enhancing the built environment’ included aspects of design and maintenance, as well as a future focus for continuing development; ‘Valuing and supporting people’ included individuals’ psychological resources, diversity, and developing community ties and people-place connections. The two clusters were closely linked: good design can provide spaces for community relationships to develop; a robust maintenance regime protects current assets and strengthens personal resilience by removing worries. The findings demonstrate that resilient cities will consider the built environment and the community and the reciprocal interactions between them.
Dr Niamh Murtagh is Principal Research Fellow at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction, University College London (UCL). An environmental psychologist by discipline, Niamh’s focus has been on applying insights from psychological theory to how the construction sector can make faster progress towards environmental sustainability. She has worked with builders/developers, architects, building control officers and town planners, and has published widely including in Journal of Cleaner Production, Buildings and Cities, and Landscape and Urban Planning.
Dr Alison Pooley leads the Sustainable Healthy Communities theme within the Suffolk Sustainability Institute, University of Suffolk, and has extensive experience within architecture and the built environment, leading both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Alison worked as a housing officer in East London and in architectural practice prior to her academic career. Her current research is focused on forms of housing that address the future needs of an ageing population.
Dr Evelyn Callahan is a research fellow at University College London working with older people living in almshouses. Their other research interests include trans healthcare, healthcare in resource limited settings, and applied qualitative research methods. They have a PhD in sociology from Brunel University London, an MSc in medical anthropology from University College London, and a BA in anthropology from the University of Connecticut.
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Friday 28th June, 2024