Built and Human Environments Research Centre

Cutting-edge research in the built and human environment, exploring its intersections with urbanism, well-being, real estate, disaster risk management, cultural heritage and neuroscience to create sustainable, resilient and inclusive spaces.

Manchester skyline, parked cars and road overpass

The Built and Human Environments (BUHU) Research and Knowledge Exchange Centre is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research in the built and human environment and identifying solutions to problems in an ever-evolving global context. We seek to address global challenges such as climate change, disaster resilience, rapid urbanization, construction management and social inequity, while also considering the mental and physical wellbeing implications of design.

We aim to create environments that are not only sustainable and resilient, but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of their users.

Our work sits on the intersection of urbanism, well-being, real estate, project management, disaster risk resilience and cultural heritage. We explore how all these shape the way we design, inhabit and experience spaces to create real world impact.

Our research areas

Sustainable urbanism

We describe the urban condition: how cities are designed, planned, and developed with a view to create urban environments that prioritize sustainability, resource efficiency, and resilience to climate change.

Wellbeing and space

We investigate the impact of the built environment on physical and mental well-being by integrating insights from neuroscience, and psychology. We study how the design of the built environment can enhance comfort, reduce risk and improve health outcomes for inhabitants.

Disaster risk management and resilience

We explore ways of mitigating risks from natural disasters, conflicts, and other crises with strategies for resilient construction, and post-disaster recovery.

Real estate and economic development

We believe that advances in the built environment are interrelated with economic growth, such as real estate markets, in the global south, housing affordability, and urban regeneration.

Cultural heritage and preservation

We explore approaches to sustainable, adaptive reuse strategies for listed buildings and heritage sites. In our work, the preservation of historic buildings and urban assemblages are essential in maintaining a cultural identity.

Climate resilience

Our vision is to safeguard current and future generations by delivering innovative, community‑centred climate‑resilience solutions that preserve lives, livelihoods and natural systems. We conduct interdisciplinary research to address the multifaceted challenges of climate resilience across the built environment, natural ecosystems, and social systems.

Digital transformation in the built environment

Architecture and AI