Revealing the potential of Hidden Heritage Architecure: An investigation of how the adaptive reuse of forgotten heritage buildings can catalyse urban regeneration and provide community benefit.

Summary

This PhD investigates an important but fundamentally overlooked aspect of urban regeneration practice in Northern Ireland – the underuse and dilapidation of a plethora of historic buildings currently sitting beyond use. Termed here as Hidden Heritage Architecture, they are expansive across typology and scale, ranging from Victorian-era linen mills and churches, to inter-war school buildings, to modernist commercial structures. Whilst many now reside within declining high-streets and deprived inner-urban communities, their potential to catalyse regeneration is largely hidden due to the cultural, economic and environmental barriers that their rehabilitation typically encounters. This PhD addresses this important gap- in-knowledge by exploring how architecturally-driven adaptive reuse and continuous modification of these buildings opens up new opportunities for urban regeneration that challenges these barriers, through investigation underpinned by three core Aims and Objectives:

• Rehabilitation of heritage architecture that is commercially viable
• Rehabilitation of heritage architecture addresses pressing environmental obligations
• Rehabilitation of heritage architecture that provides essential community benefit

This suggests four exploratory research questions:

Where are the opportunities to adapt and reuse this Hidden HeritageArchitecture?

• What key buildings are involved? Where are they located? What communities are impacted?

What is the potential for cultural, economic and environmental benefit?

• What are the cultural, economic, and environmental barriers? Are there opportunities for Community Asset Transfer?

How might adaptive reuse and continuous modification of this Hidden Heritage Architecure inform policy discussions?

• What are the implications for planning, regeneration, environmental policy discourses?

What are the lessons for wider national and international contexts?

• How might the research findings inform understanding of heritage regeneration at national and international level?

The PhD provides a timely opportunity to explore an underdeveloped and overlooked area of scholarship that cuts across a range of fields and addresses timely and important issues of high-street decline, inner city deprivation and inclusive placemaking.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years* (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period (individual project advertisements will note where part time options apply).

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.