community-led planning, regeneration and economic
development with a
creative and cultural twist
Urban Regeneration & Development MSc
In 2014-2015 Spanton undertook
an intensive period of study in Urban Regeneration and Development, at the University of Manchester.
This immersive, applied, full-time post-graduate course included both practical skills and theory, with over 300 hours of lectures, workshops, seminars and
real-world client-based projects.
Areas of study included: regeneration policy and practice, local economic development, neighbourhood planning techniques, planning and urban theory, policy analysis and review, community consultation and development skills, land appraisal and urban design.
Spanton’s dissertation was entitled, Performance, policy, place: perspectives on social enterprise and focussed on how social enterprises can practically activate social change – evidenced with key findings on Birmingham-based social enterprises and cooperatives.
Project research and experience includes:
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Research and writing on city-regions
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Reporting on social policy in Leeds using GIS techniques
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Research and writing on cities and austerity
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Design assessment of a public square in Manchester City Centre
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Devising site design guidance and plans for neighbourhood developments in Stretford and Trafford
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Writing a neighbourhood plan for Bootle, Cumbria
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Planning the redeveloping of a Victorian market building in Manchester’s Northern Quarter
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Research and writing on planning theories from the Global South
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Producing a residual land appraisal for a site in Holt Town, Manchester