Moss Madden Student Award

‘The relationship between pregnant women, new mothers and public spaces, a case study approach of Liverpool’

The judges felt that the student had used a good methodical approach for investigating an international issue, brought into a North West context by utilising the City of Liverpool as a case study. The predominant objective of the project was to understand whether gender mainstreaming had been successfully implemented into planning policy, in order to create gender-inclusive spaces within the urban landscape for pregnant women and new mothers. 

Underpinned by a case study approach, the student used questionnaires to ascertain a subjective understanding from a selected group of women on their experiences with public spaces including pathways, toilets and bus stops. The data was collected from expectant mothers as well as new mothers (parent to a 0-24 month old child). The research also included interviews with eight planners in order to obtain a planning industry perspective on the subject. 

As an outcome of the research, the author felt that evidence from the questionnaires and interviews demonstrated that gender mainstreaming had not been successfully implemented into local policy. As a consequence, it was clear from the responses that pregnant women and new mothers generally agreed that they could not access public spaces with ease and the facilities that they required. The author also provided recommendations including incorporating improvements in educational teaching on inequality in planning and design course in the UK, as well as gender specific policy to be mainstreamed into planning.

‘Urban Design for Communities: Investigating the Liveability of the Urban Regeneration Area – Ancoats and New Islington, Central Manchester’

From the judge’s perspective this dissertation offered an interesting discussion and perspective on the subject of liveability, in a location that has seen significant development in recent years. Utilising various methods of analysis, including: site surveys, semi-structured interviews and online surveys, the judges were impressed with the way in which the author assessed and interpreted the perspectives of local residents and the implications that the regeneration of Ancoats and New Islington has had in regards to the liveability of the area.

As outlined by the researcher, the idea of liveability has been well-discussed in recent years. However, without a set definition, there is a general understanding that it is characterised as something that generally improves residents’ well-being.  Acknowledging that there is a potential gap in the academic literature on this subject matter, the author was able to provide an insight on the effectiveness of a regenerations scheme in providing a liveable neighbourhood. The research found that the regeneration of Ancoats and New Islington had improved certain services and facilities, such as: residential amenity, transport and social spaces. However, it was found that certain aspects such as: sense of personal safety, extensive pedestrianization and high quality green space were still missing. As a consequence, this had an effect on whether respondents felt that the location was a ‘liveable’ environment. The author felt that the research provided a clear demonstration of how there was a renewed need for the development industry “to prioritise community well-being over development profits, because a liveable neighbourhood that enhances quality of life for all will inevitably be profitable in the long-term.”

Sam is a planning graduate from the University of Sheffield and Birmingham and has worked for Tesni Properties for over six years where he currently holds the position of Planning and Development Manager. Sam has been an Associate member of the RTPI since 2018, and is currently working towards becoming fully chartered.

Georgina is a Planner at Asteer Planning LLP. Having previously worked at Avison Young since September 2018, Georgina has experience of advising clients across a range of sectors, including residential, commercial, student, and mixed-use developments. Georgina was elected as a Chartered Member of the RTPI in December 2020 and currently sits on the Regional Activities Committee for the RTPI North West and is part of the Education, Careers and Mentoring Task Group.

Ben has spent most of his career working for Camden and Cheshire East Councils, writing planning policy and monitoring housing supply. Now an Independent consultant, Ben works predominantly for Three Dragons, writing housing demand and viability studies. He’s a supporter of ‘Garden Cities’ (having relocated to the Northwest from Welwyn Garden City) and new technologies which could ultimately lead to better informed decisions.

Chris has been a member of the North West RAC for 18 years now. Chris has focused on promoting the profession, and the work of the RTPI, to wider audiences. This included editing the publications produced by the NW Region, presently the End of Year Reviews. Over 2002-2006, Chris completed a PhD looking at community engagement practices in Housing Market Renewal Programmes in the North West. Since then, Chris has worked as a consultant for Warrington-based BE Group. He specialises in providing Employment Land Study Evidence bases for Local Plans and property market assessments for masterplans. Outside of the office, Chris likes to explore the region in different ways, though fell walking and Geocaching.