Planning, Policy and Governance (PPG)
Source: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/research/units/tde/groups/planning-policy-and-governance Parent: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/engage-and-innovate/consultancy
Group Leader(s): Professor Dave Valler
Contact:
Select a section
Showing all research info
About us
Research impact
Leadership
Membership
Projects
slide 1 to 5 of 5
About us Research impact Leadership Membership Projects
About us
PPG focuses on the political and governmental practices of producing, maintaining and transforming space. With 16 staff members (12 core staff), we combine academic and practitioner interests, policy studies and practice-oriented research, and a commitment to develop planning theory and practice.
Specialist and interdisciplinary research themes including:
- Transportation and Mobility Studies
- Diversity and Social Justice
- Governance and Democracy
- Housing Policy
- Local and Regional Economic Development
- Development and Urbanisation
- Strategic Planning
- Planning History
Part of
Related courses
- Built Environment (MPhil / PhD / PhD by Published Work)
- Infrastructure Planning and Sustainable Development (MSc / PGDip / PGCert)
- Construction Project Management (BSc (Hons))
- Spatial Planning (MSc)
- Historic Conservation (MSc / PGDip / PGCert)
- Property Development and Planning (BSc (Hons))
- Real Estate (BSc (Hons))
Research impact
Our research has long been recognised for its real-world impact. It influences many spheres including public policy, professional practice and commercial activities, and there is ongoing engagement with stakeholders across the public, private and third sectors. Examples include:
- Professor Tim Jones’ work on older people’s experience of cycling in UK cities and how this affects their independence, health and wellbeing
- Dr Naomi Luhde Thompson’s research on environmental law and activity with the campaign group Rights: Community: Action which has successfully challenged government policy on net zero developments
- Professor Dave Valler’s research on the Oxford-Cambridge Arc which has contributed to a deeper understanding of the constraints and opportunities of planning for this area.
Leadership
Professor Dave Valler
Professor of Spatial Planning
Membership
Staff members
- Staff
slide 1 of 1
Staff
Projects
Active projects Completed projects
- Active projects
- Completed projects
slide 1 of 2
Active projects
| Project title and description | Investigator(s) | Funder(s) | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Envisioning Neighbourhoods and Co-Creating Thriving Communities in the 15-Minute City (ENACT 15mC) Tim Jones is Principal Investigator on this three-year project focusing on transforming urban public spaces to be more walkable and appealing, with cases in Trondheim (NO), Gdansk (PL), Valencia (ES), and Oxford (UK). The project is funded by the European Union (EU) Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership, via UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). | Professor Tim Jones | UKRI | From: October 2023 Until: September 2026 |
| Health Impact of E-bikes and e-scooters (HELMET) Tim Jones is part of a consortium led by University of Bristol that submitted a Stage 2 Application to the NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) 23/125 Public Health Research Programme (researcher-led) for a study titled, 'HEaLth iMpact of E-bikes and e-scooTers (HELMET)'. If successful the research will be the first comprehensive study in England to measure and understand the health impact of e-bike and e-scooter public hire pilot programmes currently being trialled by UK government. It will help inform Department of Transport & Department of Health of net benefits and Government policy on how and whether to expand schemes across more UK towns and cities. | Professor Tim Jones | NIHR | From: October 2024 Until: September 2026 |
| Global Review on Gated Communities Richmond Ehwi is leading a global review of all the literature published on gated communities from 1997 to 2023. This pioneering project brings together 10 academics from five universities around the world: England (Oxford Brookes, Oxford University, Hull University), Canada (University of Western Ontario), China (Beijing Forestry University), Saudi Arabia (King Abdulaziz University), and Ghana (KNUST and Kumasi Technical University) to undertake this ambitious project. The goals of this project include developing a framework to guide the identification and development of future empirical research, establishing a network of global scholars working on gated communities to commission a special issue, authoring an edited book based on emerging research questions, fostering international comparative studies, applying for research grants, and developing tools to improve teaching in this research field. Insights from the project will also impact the practices and interactions between real estate developers, planners, architects, policymakers, community stakeholders, and others. | Dr Richmond Ehwi | ||
| Securing Permanent Residency and Migrants’ Homeownership Aspirations Richmond Ehwi is also developing a project focusing on how the cost of securing permanent residence in Britain impacts migrants’ homeownership aspirations. Migrants often allocate a significant portion of their savings toward securing various visa routes until they attain permanent residency in the UK. Studies indicate that migrants are more likely to be renters than homeowners, with many residing in housing considered substandard in the UK. However, the extent to which the cost of obtaining permanent residency in the UK affects migrants' ability to consistently save for a home deposit remains unexplored. This study will focus on various African migrant groups in England, including Ghanaians, Nigerians, Ivorians, and Kenyans. The insights gained will inform policies by government ministries (Home Office and DLUHC), services by local authorities, and support provided by third-sector organizations and charities working in the fields of immigration and housing. | Dr Richmond Ehwi | ||
| Cultivating Inclusivity in Urban Community Gardens (INCLUDE) The project aims to address inclusivity gaps (related to, for example, ethnicity, age, gender, and accessibility) in Urban Community Gardens (UCGs), which play a key role in fostering social cohesion, improving health, and supporting sustainability. Drawing on case studies in Vancouver, the project will develop practical tools to support urban planners and policymakers in creating more inclusive and equitable green spaces that align with global sustainability goals. | Dr Maryam Mani, Professor Dave Valler | European Commission | From: January 2026 Until: January 2029 |
Research areas
- Transportation and Mobility Studies: Sustainable and healthy urban mobility; active travel; walking, cycling and micromobilities; environmental impacts; health and wellbeing; democratic and liveable spaces; everyday travel decisions and journey practice and experience.
- Diversity and Social Justice: Urban diversity and equalities; mobility and diversity; territorial stigmatisation; the French banlieue; European urban policy.
- Governance and Democracy: Urban policy and governance; public participation; community empowerment; neighbourhood planning; sub-national governance.
- Housing Policy: Informal housing in the global south, low income housing, housing policy, affordable housing, housing market, private rented sector, housing mobility, housing for older people, housing and health care
- Local and Regional Economic Development: Urban regeneration, community engagement.
- Arts and Culture in Urban Development
- Development and Urbanisation:Land conflicts; urban and peri-urban transformations; global citizenship; informal housing markets; home based enterprises in unplanned settlements; pro poor infrastructure delivery; urban diversity and equalities.
- Strategic Planning:Sub-regions and city-regions; soft spaces; spatial imaginaries; infrastructure planning; planning for growth.
- Planning History: Garden cities; transnationalism in planning thought; planning ideas and ideology.