Lead supervisor:
Prof Oleg Golubchikov 
Start date: October 2015
Award: General
Subject Pathway:
Environmental Planning
Thematic Cluster:
Place, Environment and Development Cluster
The Impact of Energy Transitions on Vulnerable Peripheral Communities
The aim of this project is to investigate new governance challenges arising from low-carbon transition in peripheral communities in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Wales.
A theoretical framework based on theories of Spatial Justice will be adopted and, with this in mind, the following research questions have been set:
- How do energy transitions interplay with the socio-economic evolution of place?
- How do communities of different status engage with energy practices and innovations?
- How can different communities capacity to adapt to the new energy agenda be increased in times of austerity?
- How do existing governance systems and structures impact upon communities resilience to energy transitions?
- How can theoretical and methodological perspectives for understanding the impacts of low-carbon innovations in vulnerable communities be developed, to inform future innovation and practice rollout?