Funding

Self-funded

Project code

AAD10041026

Start dates

October, February and April

Application deadline

Applications accepted all year round

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School of Architecture, Art and Design and will be supervised by Dr Tarek Teba.

The work on this project will:

  • Uncover how conflict reshapes historic centres by mapping shifts in their architectural, social, economic, and political values.
  • Identify and interpret “sites of identity” and “sites of memory” that hold potential to drive inclusive regeneration strategies.
  • Co‑create innovative frameworks with local communities and stakeholders to ensure regeneration responds to lived experiences and evolving priorities.
  • Advance sustainable, socially attuned models of urban recovery that balance heritage preservation with contemporary community needs in post‑conflict contexts.

The built environment of a historic centre encapsulates the palimpsest and development of the city’s social, economic and political identity, which shape the contemporary communities’ values and priorities to regenerate these centres. These centres also present sites of memories related to tangible and intangible heritage aspects of the city and its people. However, when the built environment is subject to disturbing crises (e.g. conflict), the function of these centres as well as the communities’ values and priorities change, as these sites and buildings start to be associated with memories, particularly with political crises such as conflict. For example, some sites start to gain social, cultural and even political values representing the identity of local people, while other sites start to be associated with dark memories. In addition, with the overall change of the city dynamic during such crises, the needs from and capabilities of these centres change over time so regenerating them to the original function might not be sustainable and/or socially/culturally accepted. Therefore, and using the notions of "site of identity" and "sites of memory", this paper aims to explore urban regeneration strategies for historic sites and cities emerging from conflict. Using comparative empirical urban  analysis of the selected sites before and after conflict as well as semi-structured interviews with local residents, users and stakeholders, this PhD will explore and evaluate the shifts occurred to the urban/architectural, social, economic and political characteristics of these sites and maps key sites with memories and identities that could play a role in the regeneration strategies. Using co-design/co-creation methodologies between architects, architectural students and local stakeholders/residences, the article will propose a regeneration framework driven by the key identified sites that responds to the changed social, economic and political dynamic of the historic town and centre.

 

Fees and funding

Visit the research subject area page for fees and funding information for this project.

Funding availability: Self-funded PhD students only. 

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK Government Doctoral Loan (UK students only).

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in Architecture, Heritage, architectural conservation or a related area. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or Qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

 

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Tarek Teba (tarek.teba@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on the Architecture, Interiors and Urbanism PhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. 

When applying please quote project code AAD10041026.