A Collective Inquiry on Transformative Communities

Our Collective Inquiry on Sustainable Communities is a co-created project which brings together a team of participant-researchers, made up of long-term residents and community activists, organisational representatives, students, alumni and university staff.  Focusing on Fallowfield, the team are exploring the challenges faced in fostering and maintaining sustainable communities in this university neighbourhood. Through four co-created sessions running between January and April 2025, the team are exploring the issues facing the area from different perspectives. At the end of the project, we will collaboratively develop a series of policy recommendations for key actors, including the ‘civic university’, to better promote sustainable, well-balanced local communities.

Perspectives on Fallowfield

In February, the team spent a morning walking the streets of Fallowfield, sharing perspectives on the area and the challenges it faces. In particular, we identified how economic, social and environmental imbalances shape the geography of the area, negatively impacting services and infrastructure, and lowering the quality of living for all inhabitants. We also visited community-led projects like the Shakespearean Garden, and discussed how local assets could be better protected, promoted and maintained.

Many of these properties have now deteriorated into mouldy, unhealthy, and unsafe living conditions, rather than being the homes they once were. The beauty of these streets has been lost, and with it, a sense of pride and identity. (Participant Reflection)

A key takeaway from our walk was the necessity of fostering mutual understanding and support between students and residents. It is easy to feel disheartened when walking through Fallowfield and seeing the extent of the transformation, but the issues here are not insolvable. If universities, landlords, local authorities, and students themselves take a more active role in fostering a healthier community, Fallowfield could be more than just a transient hub for students. (Participant Reflection)

In two subsequent sessions, the team explored how systemic imbalances are created and reinforced; and identified short and long term solutions which could more effectively address them.

We are now working on our final project report.