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Participatory Action Research

Community, Place and Wellbeing: A Pilot Study on Housing Inequalities

A mixed-methods participatory study comparing spatial and governance impacts of community-led and conventional housing on residents' health and wellbeing, with RUSS (Rural Urban Synthesis Society), a GLA-funded Community-led Housing hub, and UCL Public Policy.

Live graphic illustration from the Resident Workshop, June 2026, mapping themes of community, health and wellbeing, environment and space, and governance and decision making
Live illustration, Resident Workshop, London, June 2026 — Drawn by temjam.com. Funded by UCL Grand Challenges.

An exploratory, comparative mixed-methods study of two recent London apartment developments — one conventionally managed, one community-led and resident-managed — looking at how spatial and environmental conditions, governance arrangements, community relations and affordability combine to shape residents’ health and wellbeing.

The study combines an anonymous resident survey, structured analysis of open-ended survey responses, and a participatory co-design workshop at the community-led site using storytelling, collage, group boards, voting and live illustration.

Full findings and publication to follow.

UCL repository link to follow.

Role
Principal Investigator
Funding
UCL Grand Challenges of Inequality ECR Catalyst Award
Collaborators
RUSS (Rural Urban Synthesis Society), UCL Public Policy