Skip to main content
Matthew Wargent

Dr Matthew Wargent

Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for Matthew Wargent

Overview

I am a social scientist who specialises in the planning, development, and governance of cities, with a particular focus on the politics of community development and public participation in shaping urban spaces. My research examines the evolving role of expertise in planning, including the commodification of urban knowledge, and the growing influence of digital technologies on decision-making and governance.

My latest research project, Just Neighbourhoods?, explores social and environmental justice in under-represented neighbourhoods across the UK's four nations. Recent papers from other projects include:

I have a particular interest in urban and planning theory and try to demonstrate the relevance of theory in both my teaching and research. A new edited collection on planning theory will be published by Routledge in 2025, co-edited with colleagues at UCL and the University of London.

I currently serve as Book Review Editor for Town Planning Review and welcome inquiries about forthcoming titles for review. I joined the School of Geography and Planning in October 2021. Prior to this, I held a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Reading and was a Research Fellow at the Bartlett School of Planning, UCL. I completed my PhD at the University of Sheffield in 2017 funded by the ESRC. I am a Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA) and Associate Member of the RTPI (AssocRTPI).

Publication

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2015

Articles

Book sections

Books

Monographs

Teaching

I am currently Course Director for the BSc Urban Planning & Development and BSc Urban Planning & Development with Professional Placement Year and teach a number of modules across the School.

Current modules

  • CP0145 Property, Urban Development and Regeneration
  • CP0259 Community Engagement, Mediation and Negotiation Skills
  • CP0312 Planning Theory and Practice
  • CPT930 Governing Urban and Regional Dynamics
  • CPT931 Digital Planning and Development

Previous modules

  • CP0384 Digital Planning
  • CPT857 Planning and Real Estate
  • CPT870 Space and Place: International Planning Practice

Supervisions

I am always happy to chat with prospective students. Please get in touch if you are interested in pursuing a PhD in any of the following areas:

  • Participation, politics, and neighbourhoods
  • Community action and governance
  • Localism and devolution
  • Politics of planning reform
  • Private sector expertise in urban governance
  • Digital technology in planning and urban development

Contact Details

Email WargentM@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone +44 29208 75281
Campuses Glamorgan Building, Room 1.52, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WA