Movement, people and places
The Movement, People and Place Research Group has a broad intellectual agenda that seeks to influence urban policies at the local, regional, national and international level.
The Group has particular interests in a variety of fields including transport policy and travel planning, regeneration, local economic vitality and stakeholder engagement.
The group has eight academic staff and postgraduate researchers and PhD students.
It is committed to activities that help to positively address contemporary sustainability challenges.
The Research Group has a broad portfolio of research projects, including:
- Vibrant market towns in England
- Shrinking cities in Europe and developing integrated solutions
- Commuting patterns in large urban areas
- Local government responses to climate change
- Travel planning in large businesses, small and medium sized enterprises and other organisations
- Quality Network Planning Partnerships
- Localism and stakeholder engagement in the planning process
- Community group and town council management of green spaces
- Access to the countryside and walking and the health agenda
Taught programmes
In terms of taught programmes the Movement People and Places Group runs three Master's programmes:
- the MSc in Sustainable Planning
- MSc in Sustainable Planning and Transport
- MSc in Sustainable Planning and Environmental Management
The members of the Group also supervise a popular PhD and Master's by Research programme.
If you are interested in potential PhD or Master's by Research study contact any of the staff members by clicking on the staff tab, with your own topic idea.
The Group is also open to researchers who share common interests with the Group wishing to explore possibilities for Fellowship or visiting researcher positions.
We have recently hosted academic visitors from Virginia Commonwealth University and the Italian National Agricultural Research Council. We also offer consultancy services to a range of public and private sector organisations.
Our recent partners
Our recent partners have included:
- Hertfordshire County Council
- Department for Transport
- WRAPParsons Brinkerhoff
- Ramblers Association
- Building Research Establishment (BRE)
- National Cycle Network
We have a strong track record of developing and supporting partnerships at the local and regional level.
The University has taken a leading role in projects to promote sustainability locally and regionally through initiating, securing funding for and working with partners to deliver the Business Travel Plan project ‘Fresh Ways to Work’.