The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Practitioner Research Fund (PRF) is funding two winning proposals
After calls for proposals in August, the two winning RTPI PRF project winners can carry out their research with grants from the fund.
Cerys Atchinson, of CA Town Planning, and Daniel James of Plan Research, will focus their research on the safety and well-being in communities.
Cerys’ study
Cerys will study how Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Birmingham affect both the actual safety and the perception of safety for women, as the city prepares to boost its number filters and extensions, making this research piece relevant for further utilisation.
Cerys Atchison said: “I’m delighted to receive this grant and to work with the RTPI on a project that addresses an issue of growing importance in planning practice. Concerns about women’s safety in public space are well documented, yet there is still limited evidence on how large-scale street interventions such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods shape people’s everyday experiences of feeling safe or unsafe. Birmingham’s LTNs provide a valuable opportunity to explore this in depth. I hope the findings will support planners in designing more inclusive and safe places.”
Daniel’s study
Daniel will carry out an interdisciplinary study of ‘tiny homes’ and their inhabitants, as local authorities investigate the use of tiny home structures to tackle the housing crisis and homelessness.
It has previously been found that many tiny homes do not meet standards.
Daniel James said: “Any discrepancy between attitudes to ‘tiny homes’ and caravans creates uncertainty for planning and housing officers regarding accommodation for some of the most disadvantaged people in society. While anyone can become homeless, this risk is greatly increased for marginalised groups, and so spatial standards for accommodation can be considered an equalities issue. The aims of my research are to provide relevant evidence regarding ‘tiny homes’ to planning and housing professionals, to encourage critical evaluation of these proposals, assist local authorities in preparing consistent responses to schemes, and to inform residents of ‘tiny homes’ about planning policy and minimum space standards.”
Research will help both planning and construction
Earlier this month, PBC Today sat down with both Dr Scott McGibbon and stonemason Athol Hill to investigate their research and activism regarding the dangers of silica dust in the built environment.
Dr McGibbon received the CIOB Paul Dockerill Award with a £10,000 grant to create resources for workers on both the dangers and how to effectively deal with silica dust in the built environment.
Athol Hill is a stonemason who fell victim to these dangers, having been diagnosed with silicosis and lung cancer.
When asked about what immediate and practical changes could be made to protect workers, Scott said: “Designing out dust through off-site cutting, using real-time detection, and making training mandatory would help immediately. Embedding silica controls into procurement, improving risk assessments, and ensuring proper health surveillance would also make a major difference.”
Athol said: “We need better respiratory equipment, better training, and on-site facilities for extracting the dust from your clothing before going home.”
The full interview with both can be read here.
