Overview
New Urbanism aims to promote sustainable urban projects; however, it is often critiqued for excluding lower-income groups, thereby reducing social equity (Trudeau, 2018). Although social equity is a foundational element of conceptual frameworks for sustainable urban development, its implementation often falls short in practice, creating a gap between theory and reality (Ahmad, 2024; Manaugh, Badami, & El-Geneidy, 2015; Srinivasan, 2024). Submissions to this project would seek to address that gap by exploring strategies, contexts, and processes that promote social equity in existing sustainable urban development projects.
The project draws from various studies, including Trudeau (2018), who argues that social equity must be considered from the beginning of sustainable development initiatives to ensure fair access and prevent exclusion. Examining how social equity is conceptualised, operationalised, and prioritised relative to environmental and other objectives is crucial for developing more inclusive project designs (Manaugh, Badami, & El-Geneidy, 2015).
This research will assess how different urban development projects effectively incorporate community participation and address social equity concerns. By examining real-world cases, the project aims to highlight how inclusive decision-making and equitable resource distribution can enhance social outcomes. For instance, Srinivasan (2024) emphasises the importance of integrating community engagement in urban development, while Ahmad (2024) highlights the need for comprehensive evaluations of long-term impacts to ensure that equity-focused initiatives build resilient communities.
This project will address three core gaps in literature. The first is the need for an equity-focused design metrics, which include criteria for evaluating inclusivity in projects, with metrics assessing factors such as housing affordability, access to green spaces, and public transportation reach (Angel et al., 2018; McKinsey Global Institute, 2016). The second is stakeholder engagement tools, which are guidelines to ensure local community involvement, shown to improve the relevance and success of urban projects (Ahmad, 2024; Srinivasan, 2024; OECD, 2020). The third includes impact and progress evaluation tools, which provide mechanisms for assessing social impact metrics like income distribution and access to services, thereby measuring equity outcomes over time (Ahmad, 2024; Manaugh, Badami, & El-Geneidy, 2015; OECD, 2020).
This project seeks demonstrate how social equity considerations can be systematically integrated into project planning, execution, and evaluation processes. By embedding social equity within the project management framework, the study will highlight the importance of setting inclusive benchmarks and evaluating success in terms of equitable outcomes. It will provide project managers with tools and methodologies for incorporating social equity from project inception to completion, thereby enhancing the social impact of urban projects.
Nottingham Business School is triple crown accredited with EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA – the highest international benchmarks for business education. It has also been ranked by the Financial Times for its Executive Education programmes in 2023 and 2024. NBS is one of only 47 global business schools recognised as a PRME Champion, and held up as an exemplar by the United Nations of Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME).
Its purpose is to provide research and education that combines academic excellence with positive impact on people, business and society. As a world leader in experiential learning and personalisation, joining NBS as a researcher is an opportunity to achieve your potential.
Applications for October 2025 intake closes on 1st July 2025 and applications for Jan 2026 intake closes on 1st October 2025.
Reference List
Ahmad, I., 2024. Advancing Social Equity through Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities. Sustainability Quest, 1(1), pp. 1-7.
Angel, S., Parent, J., Civco, D.L. & Blei, A.M., 2018. Atlas of Urban Expansion. Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Manaugh, K., Badami, M.G. & El-Geneidy, A.M., 2015. Integrating social equity into urban transportation planning: A critical evaluation of equity objectives and measures in transportation plans in North America. Transport Policy, 37, pp. 167-176.
McKinsey Global Institute, 2016. Urban world: Cities and the rise of the consuming class. McKinsey & Company. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/urbanisation/urban-world-the-global-consumers-to-watch.
McKinsey Global Institute, 2016. Bridging infrastructure gaps: Has the world made progress? McKinsey & Company. Available at: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/operations/our%20insights/bridging%20infrastructure%20gaps%20how%20has%20the%20world%20made%20progress%20v2/mgi-bridging-infrastructure-gaps-discussion-paper.pdf
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2018. Divided cities: Understanding inequality in the world’s urban centers. OECD Report. Available at: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/9789264300385-en.pdf?expires=1732530847&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=26D3AEA488D9186CAD220063AFC0327D
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2020. The territorial impact of COVID-19: Managing the crisis across levels of government. OECD Publishing. Available at: https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=1095_1095253-immbk05xb7&title=The-territorial-impact-of-COVID-19-Managing-the-crisis-and-recovery-across-levels-of-government
Srinivasan, J., 2024. Community Engagement and Social Equity in Urban Development Projects. Journal of Sustainable Solutions, 1(3), pp. 6-12. Available at: https://doi.org/10.36676/j.sust.sol.v1.i3.14.
Trudeau, D., 2018. Integrating social equity in sustainable development practice: Institutional commitments and patient capital. Sustainable Cities and Society, 41, pp. 601-610.
Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are digital versions of national currencies issued by central banks, aimed at improving payment efficiency, financial inclusion, and monetary policy. With the rise of cryptocurrencies, many central banks are exploring CBDCs' potential impacts on financial systems, trade, exchange rates, and consumer behaviour. This research will assess how the introduction of CBDCs could affect global financial stability, international trade, exchange rates, and monetary policy coordination.
Staff profiles
Entry qualifications
UK: Successful applicants for the PhD in Nottingham Business School normally hold a first or upper second-class honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification. Candidates with a lower second-class degree may apply if they hold a Master’s degree at Merit level or higher.
International: Successful applicants for the PhD in Nottingham Business School normally hold a first or upper second-class honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification.
International students will also need to meet the English language requirements - IELTS 6.5 (with minimum sub-scores of 6.0). Applicants who have taken a higher degree at a UK university are normally exempt from the English language requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English language proficiency requirement will normally be asked to complete an English Language course.
How to apply
Applications for October 2025 intake closes on 1st July 2025 and applications for Jan 2026 intake closes on 1st October 2025.
Please visit our how to apply page for a step-by-step guide and make an application.
Fees and funding
This is a self-funded PhD project for UK and International applicants.
Guidance and support
For more information about the NBS PhD Programme, including entry requirements and application process, please visit: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/course/nottingham-business-school/res/this-year/research-degrees-in-business
Nottingham Business School is triple crown accredited with EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA – the highest international benchmarks for business education. It has also been ranked by the Financial Times for its Executive Education programmes in 2023 and 2024. NBS is one of only 47 global business schools recognised as a PRME Champion, and held up as an exemplar by the United Nations of Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME).
Its purpose is to provide research and education that combines academic excellence with positive impact on people, business and society. As a world leader in experiential learning and personalisation, joining NBS as a researcher is an opportunity to achieve your potential.