Ageing and Inequality: Using feminist architectural practices in the design of healthy ageing public space

This research seeks to examine the potential of using creative feminist practices in the design of healthy ageing public space. This PhD research will work in collaboration with Manchester City Council and Bruntwood to facilitate a design for the redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital’s (NMGH) public space.

The research aims to bridge existing boundaries between key stakeholders and the community to facilitate a design outcome for the NMGH public space in response to Healthy Ageing goals. This project will use a multi-methodological qualitative approach to facilitate change for the design outcome at NMGH. The research will be conducted through a feminist lens where the lived experiences of intersectional older people are acknowledged and understood, using creative practice to create knowledge which may not emerge through traditional methods. The project will co-produce a range of physical outputs on the site itself, reclaiming this space for the community.

The results from this research will be used to generate recommendations for the design of healthy ageing public spaces at NMGH. The research aims to transform stakeholder collaboration within this complex network to support better design outcomes. The methods will be shared as a community archive of engagements that can be used within Manchester and beyond. For the knowledge to be disseminated further a ‘Healthy Ageing Public Spaces’ design guide will be created; this has the potential to influence policy that could make change beyond the NMGH development.

Biography

2021 – Present
Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholar within the Leverhulme Unit for the Design of Cities of the Future (LUDeC) funded PhD Programme
2018 – Present
Architectural Assistant and Architectural Researcher at various UK based practices
2019 – 2021
Masters of Architecture Distinction, Manchester School of Architecture
2015 – 2018
1st Class BA (Hons) Architecture, Manchester School of Architecture

Supervisors

Professor Stefan White
Professor Stefan White Professor of Architecture View profile
Dr Mark Hammond
Dr Mark Hammond Senior Lecturer View profile