IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to social cohesion, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive and connected community spaces. In response, urban authorities introduced temporary spatial interventions—such as pedestrianised streets and reimagined green alleys—to enable safe gatherings and support local resilience. Yet, urban design remains deeply shaped by socio-spatial inequities, particularly along lines of gender and ethnicity. This study investigates how built environment features influence social cohesion and resilience in Manchester, UK, through the participatory photovoice method. Thirty community participants captured 188 photographs of places that held personal and social significance, sharing narratives about how these spaces support or hinder community engagement, social trust, equity, mobility, and networks. The study’s outcomes include a unique, community-generated visual and narrative database of socially significant urban spaces. This resource offers valuable insights for local authorities, urban planners, and community organisations seeking to design more inclusive and equitable public spaces. It highlights both the transformative potential of community-identified spaces and the persistent barriers to access and engagement. Methodological reflections also reveal challenges around gender equity, marginalised representation, digital literacy, cultural sensitivity, and interpretive bias. The findings advocate for socially responsive urban planning that centres lived experience in shaping resilient, inclusive cities.
Dr Devindi Geekiyanage is a Lecturer in Quantity Surveying at the University of Salford’s School of Science, Engineering & Environment and a researcher affiliated with ThinkLab (https://thinklab.salford.ac.uk). Her research focuses on sustainable and risk-sensitive urban development, inclusive cities, equitable resilience, anticipatory action, and the circular economy. Devindi is actively engaged in international projects including ENSEMBLE (https://rb.gy/r4h7bi, NFRF/SSHRC), TRANSCEND (https://transcend-project.org.uk, GCRF/ESRC), and the Kalutara Living Lab project in Sri Lanka.
Professor Terrence Fernando, Director of ThinkLab at the University of Salford, UK, is a multidisciplinary researcher with extensive experience in urban simulation, virtual construction, and disaster risk reduction. He has led major UK and EU-funded projects including CoSpaces, INTUITION, MOBILISE, and TRANSCEND, focusing on collaborative virtual environments across sectors such as aerospace, construction, and urban planning. He has collaborated with industry leaders such as Arup, Siemens, Network Rail, and WS Atkins. Currently, he leads research on digital platforms that support sustainable and resilient urban development, driving innovation for inclusive, risk-sensitive, and future-ready neighbourhoods through cross-sector collaboration.
Dr Hisham Tariq is a Research Fellow at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK. Prior to joining LSTM, he was a researcher at the University of Salford’s ThinkLab from 2016, contributing to multidisciplinary projects including MOBILISE, TRANSCEND, and ENSEMBLE. His research focuses on disaster risk reduction, urban resilience, systems thinking, and participatory modelling. Hisham has extensive experience in integrating community engagement, serious games, and participatory methods to address complex social and environmental challenges.
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 17th June, 2026