Manchester Urban Institute (MUI), based within University of Manchester (UoM), is a multidisciplinary hub for academics across the University with a common interest in urban research focused on ‘people and place’. MUI is structured around four main research challenges: i) the built environment; ii) green and blue resilience; iii) health and wellbeing; and iv) transport and mobilities. There are three cross-cutting themes of inequalities, polycrisis and political economy. We specialise in using mixed methods approaches to case studies that aim to coproduce research with a wide range of stakeholders to facilitate evidence-based policymaking.

In 2024, MUI supported a series of pilot studies to develop Methods for Change towards more socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable urban futures. The projects were funded internally by the UoM Humanities Social Investment Fund (HSIF) via an Innovation Lab with a range of external partners.

The case studies were all undertaken in under-served and deprived neighbourhoods in Northwest England, involving a strong component of community engagement and coproduced collective intelligence gathering, through methodologies that were specifically designed to engage ‘hard to reach’ individuals and to give them a voice. This body of MUI research seeks to identify and explore ‘bottom-up’ solutions to reduce poverty and urban inequalities in more joined-up ways across employment and skills, housing, transport, access to green spaces, health and wellbeing, and creative placemaking.

Cross-cutting research themes:

• Focused on the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods
• Located in the Northwest (mostly Greater Manchester)
• All involved in community engagement/co-production, whilst working towards gold-standard natural experimental and longitudinal research design
• Empowerment of communities to be involved in local decisions that affect their wellbeing and quality of life
• Set in the context of infrastructure developments: public transport / active travel, housing, green space, regeneration, etc.

Connecting Communities – Karen Lucas

Research to improve disadvantaged groups’ access to the Bee Network, in partnership with Transport for the North, Transport for Greater Manchester, Wigan and Oldham Councils, and residents in Hindley and Sholver.

Local-wise / Moss Smart Side – Joe Ravetz

A project with Living Streets, Manchester and Salford Councils, and Buro Happold to identify community-led projects that benefit residents.

Hollywood Park, Edgeley – Jenna Ashton

Exploring the potential of Hollywood Park to strengthen community connections and enhance wellbeing, in collaboration with the local council.

North Manchester Flourishing Index, Manchester – Jamie Anderson, Joanna Barrow, Arbaz Kapadi, Jack Benton

Coproducing an index to measure the impact of urban regeneration on mental health and wellbeing, working with Manchester City Council, Far East Consortium and community partners.

Activating places through civic ecological design – Eric Lybeck

The Engine Room project, Southport - developing a co-working and co-learning space to support local creatives who may otherwise seek employment away from the local area.

Community partners

• Inspire Women/Inspiring Futures Partnership
• St George's Community Centre, Collyhurst
• Sholver and Moorside Community Centre

• Brent Cross Town Flourishing Index (PDF - baseline report).
• A Blueprint for Transport Poverty Reduction (PDF - presentation).
• Participatory mapping for green routes (blog with linked resources).
• Visit the Manchester Urban Institute page on Research Explorer, or search it for the researchers' profiles to access the team's academic publications and other outputs.