REP Research Roundup: July

Departmental News 

• The Department of Real Estate and Planning has recently appointed six new staff members at various levels. They are all in various stages in the process of signing their contracts now. More details on the staff members joined will be reported in the coming months. 

• HUMEN, a movement to improve men’s mental health through campaigning has conducted a one-year study to create a mental health ranking for universities who prioritise student wellbeing. The university of Reading scored topmost in this ranking. For further details please see: https://www.wearehumen.org/uni/ 

• Graduation for cohorts who had passed out in 2020 and 2021 were held on the 5th of July, 2022. 

• The RTPI funded research ‘Rural Planning in the 2020s’ research was published on 5th July to coincide with Rural Housing week. This wide-ranging project involved a consortium of academics including Prof Gavin Parker of REP. The work examined significant challenges facing rural communities, including the rural housing market and agricultural sector, and assesses how land use planning can effectively support the delivery of sustainable development in rural areas in the 2020s. To access the report visit: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/policy-and-research/research/rural-planning-in-the-2020s/ 

Research Activities

Awards

UoR PhD Conference 2022: ‘Research in an Object’ competition 

Mr JingHeng Huang won the judge’s choice award.  

‘Research in an Object’ is a new competition introduced by the graduate school for the 2022 UoR Doctoral Research Conference. Participants select an object that reflects their research, submit a short description and then present it at the conference to delegates.  

Jingheng Huang, who researches on how residents experience race and ethnicity in Singapore, submitted his National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) as his object. The racial category inscribed on the NRIC reflects Singapore’s colonial legacy and current tensions over race and identity. In addition, the NRIC is also an important reminder about the considerations that Jingheng must take into account as a researcher given his status as a Chinese male who enjoys majority privilege in Singapore. 

JingHeng is supervised by Angelique Chettiparamb and Christopher Maidment. 

Publications (7 June to 13 July)

Cooke, H. , Fiorentino, S., Harris, R., Livingstone, N. and McAllister, P. (2022) Corporate occupiers’ attitude to flex space in the post-Covid environment. Journal of Property Investment and Finance. ISSN 1463-578X doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/JPIF-02-2022-0011 

This paper investigates how large UK corporate occupiers perceive the potential role of flexible office space in their office portfolios in a post-pandemic context. 

Findings: Although the pandemic has led corporate occupiers to fundamentally re-appraise where and when different work tasks are performed, it is not yet clear whether this has major implications for the flex space sector. The flex space model, with its blending of various occupiers and activities, is perceived to be poorly aligned with an increasing emphasis on the office as a core corporate hub facilitating connection, collaboration, enculturation, learning and creativity. Since most flex space is concentrated in central locations, it is also not well positioned to benefit from any decentralisation of office functions. However, as the flex space sector evolves in response to structural shifts in employment and working practices and business change, its various products are likely to be a continuing requirement from corporate occupiers for short-term solutions to demand shocks, the need for rapid market entry, accommodation for short-term projects and access to desk space in multiple locations. 

Research Events

• A PhD research Lab on Just Transitions Actions (JusTA) was launched on the 4th of July, 2022. Just Transitions Action [JusTA] is a multidisciplinary PhD research lab that examines place-based behavioural, socio-cultural, and political factors driving competing claims as well as visions for more sustainable and resilient futures. Our research spans several topical areas of relevance to policy and governance, exploring both human and non-human relations associated with the social, economic and environmental challenges facing cities globally. Dr Richard Nunes from Real Estate and Planning is leading this venture.  

• A Research seminar was organised in collaboration with the Investment Property Forum, RREF and the Department at a venue provided by AXA in the city on July 12th. The event was titled: UK and European Wide Bank Lending Valuations: Market valuations or Prudent/long-term valuations? Neil Crosby, Steven Devaney and Gianluca Marcato were co-organisers. 

• A grant development workshop was held at the Department on the 6th of July. The topic was: Community Land Trusts & Migration. Angelique Chettiparamb and Claudia Murray were co-organisers. 

Research Grant Applications Submitted 

Angelique Chettiparamb (UK-PI) and Marco Picone (International PI) - Expression of Interest submitted to the British Academy Global Convening Programme. Title: Informal (Dis)orders: Coping mechanisms for Post-Crisis Cities. £500,000. 

PhD news 

Hua Fan presented at the 50th American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association (AREUEA) National Conference at Washington DC on the 3rd of June. Tile of Presentation: Smart Cities: A Panacea for Urban Air Pollution – Evidence from the World’s Leading Smart Cities.