Lead supervisor:
Dr Patricia Aelbrecht 
Other supervisor(s):
- Prof Gary Bridge
Start date: October 2025 (Full time)
Award: General
Subject Pathway:
Human Geography
Thematic Cluster:
Place, Environment and Development Cluster
High Streets as Quintessential Social Infrastructure – Exploring their role in economic revitalisation and community cohesion/ town-centre regeneration framework
This research investigates UK High Streets (HS) as critical social infrastructure (SI), commonly understood as physical spaces, facilities, services, institutions, networks and groups outside of work and home that foster social connection and engagement in communal life (Klinenberg, 2018; Latham & Layton, 2019). HS, historically vibrant centres of commerce and social interaction, are considered vital social and economic places, and according to national and local governments are uniquely positioned to act as multidimensional social assets that enhance community cohesion, economic resilience, and urban revitalisation (Wrigley and Dolega, 2011). However, their role as SI remains poorly understood and underutilised in HS regeneration strategies, limiting their effectiveness in addressing socio-economic and urban challenges.
The study aims to reimagine HS as inclusive, adaptive, and community-focused spaces that serve as hubs for sustainable development and social well-being. It will develop a multidisciplinary framework to conceptualise, evaluate, and operationalise the socio-economic and cultural roles of HS as SI. This is critical to addressing contemporary challenges, such as the decline of physical retail driven by e-commerce and the growing socio-economic disparities within communities.
Research Impact
Theoretical Contributions
The study synthesises disparate definitions, frameworks, and disciplinary perspectives to develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary understanding of HS as SI. By bridging the gap between social sciences and built environment disciplines, it promotes a holistic approach to HS as SI that incorporates spatial, social, and economic dimensions. This provides a robust theoretical framework for studying and operationalising SI in diverse contexts.
Reframing HS as SI
The research repositions HS as dynamic and adaptable types of SI, focusing on their social, cultural, and economic dimensions. This reframing enables the evaluation of HS not merely as commercial spaces but as integral to fostering community resilience and cohesion. The development of a resilient and adaptable framework that will support evidence-based evaluations of their spatial, social, cultural and economic impact, equipping stakeholders with actionable insights for revitalisation.
Innovative Methodologies in Placemaking
The use of participatory methods introduces inclusive, community-driven methodologies to reimagine HS. These innovative practices in placemaking offer tools for developing localised, responsive strategies to tackle HS decline while embedding SI principles into planning and design processes.
Knowledge Exchange and Integration
An interdisciplinary approach ensures interdependence and interoperability between HS and SI as concepts. This fosters cross-disciplinary innovation in research and practice, advancing the operationalisation of SI in HS revitalisation strategies.
Policy and Practice Integration
The research bridges academic and practical knowledge by providing evidence-based recommendations for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders. By addressing policy gaps, the findings will inform strategies that align with contemporary challenges such as increasing online retail, ensuring that HS as SI are resilient to future crises.
Addressing Gaps and Futureproofing
This study directly addresses gaps in literature, including intersectional dynamics (e.g., the experiences of marginalised groups in HS) and lack of robust understandings and evaluations of HS’s socio-economic, cultural and economic impact and value, while equipping stakeholders with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how HS and SI can work together to foster long-term resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving urban challenges.
Bibliography
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Biography
Sanjeev Kumar is a planner with 15 years of international experience in strategic planning, housing development, and urban design across the UK, the Middle East, and South Asia.
His work focuses on creating sustainable, high-quality places that balance community needs with design excellence and deliver measurable outcomes in planning and regeneration.
Sanjeev has managed and delivered a range of complex planning and development projects as a planning consultant and has worked with development management and planning policy for the Local Authority. He has been actively involved in urban research, contributing as a research assistant to the Placemaking Toolkit for Wales (2021-23), funded by an ‘Innovation for All’ grant from the Higher Education Funding Council Wales (HEFCW), and co-authored the published article titled “European public space projects with social cohesion in mind: symbolic, programmatic and minimalist approaches.”
Sanjeev holds professional memberships with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a Licentiate member. His collaborative and strategic approach ensures efficient project delivery aligned with policy objectives, sustainability principles, and community aspirations.