![Brian Webb](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/1896?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Brian Webb
Senior Lecturer in Spatial Planning, Director of Postgraduate Studies
School of Geography and Planning
- WebbB1@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 29208 74709
- Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WA
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
I seek to support and challenge students by connecting theories and concepts of urban and regional studies to practice, stimulating debate about the role of planning in contemporary society, and engaging and inspiring students to achieve their full potential. To do this I draw on my current research interests related to vertical urbanisation, digital planning, governance, and housing. My research interest lies less in the short-term impacts of planning on these themes but rather on the long-term outcomes of planning decisions and the ways in which current institutional structures, processes, and choices might positively or negatively frame the opportunities of current and future generations.
Publication
2024
- Williams, A., Webb, B. and Gale, R. 2024. Racism and the uneven geography of welfare sanctioning in England. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers (10.1111/tran.12677)
2023
- Shahab, S. and Webb, B. 2023. How are the UK Core Cities responding to retail-related challenges in city centres?. Presented at: Symposium on Repurposing City Centres, London, UK, 14 July 2023.
- Potts, R. and Webb, B. 2023. Digital planning practices: benchmarking planners’ use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Planning Practice and Research 38, pp. 520-540. (10.1080/02697459.2023.2216492)
- Sykes, O., Shaw, S. and Webb, B. Rydin, Y. and Clifford, B. eds. 2023. International Planning Studies: An Introduction. Singapore: Palgrave-Macmillan. (10.1007/978-981-19-5407-8)
2022
- Webb, B. and White, J. T. 2022. Planning and the high-rise neighbourhood: Debates on vertical cities.. Urban Planning 7(4) (10.17645/up.v7i4.6357)
2021
- Hartt, M., Zwick, A. and Webb, B. 2021. The promise and the peril of the smart city. In: Zwick, A. and Spicer, Z. eds. The platform economy and the smart city: Technology and the transformation of urban policy. McGill-Queen's University Press
- Sgueglia, A. and Webb, B. 2021. Residential land supply: contested policy failure in declining land availability for housing. Planning Practice and Research 36(4), pp. 371-388. (10.1080/02697459.2020.1867389)
- Hartt, M., Webb, B. and White, J. 2021. Nested aging: lifecycles in the vertical city. Plan Canada Summer, pp. 32-36.
2020
- MacPherson, I. et al. 2020. RTPI measuring what matters: planning outcomes research handbook.
- Morgan, K. and Webb, B. 2020. Googling the city: in search of the public interest on Toronto's 'Smart' waterfront. Urban Planning 5(1), pp. 84-95. (10.17645/up.v5i1.2520)
- Bäing, A. S. and Webb, B. 2020. Planning through zoning: a literature review. The Royal Town Planning Institute.
- MacPherson, I. et al. 2020. Report 1: Measuring what matters: planning outcomes toolkit for Wales. London, England: Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/research/2020/november/measuring-what-matters-planning-outcomes-research/
- MacPherson, I. et al. 2020. Report 2: Measuring what matters: planning outcomes toolkit for Wales.. London, England: Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/research/2020/november/measuring-what-matters-planning-outcomes-research/
2019
- Orford, S. and Webb, B. 2019. Situating social policy analysis: Possibilities from quantitative and qualitative GIS. In: Whitworth, A. ed. Towards A Spatial Social Policy: Bridging the gap between geography and social policy. Policy Press, pp. 169-194.
- Webb, B., Harris, N. and Smith, R. 2019. Rural housing delivery in Wales: How effective is rural exception site policy?. Technical Report.
2018
- Orford, S. and Webb, B. 2018. Mapping the interview transcript: identifying spatial policy areas from daily working practices. Area 50(4), pp. 529-541. (10.1111/area.12408)
- Harris, N., Webb, B. and Smith, R. 2018. The changing role of household projections: exploring policy conflict and ambiguity in planning for housing. Town Planning Review 89(4), pp. 403-424. (10.3828/tpr.2018.24)
- Hincks, S., Kingston, R., Webb, B. and Wong, C. 2018. A new geodemographic classification of commuting flows for England and Wales. International Journal of Geographical Information Science 32(4), pp. 663-684. (10.1080/13658816.2017.1407416)
2017
- Webb, B., Harris, N., Cooper, C. and Healy, A. 2017. Identification of regional areas for the National Development Framework. Project Report. Welsh Government.
- Webb, B. 2017. The use of urban climatology in local climate change strategies: a comparative perspective. International Planning Studies 22(2), pp. 68-84. (10.1080/13563475.2016.1169916)
- Webb, B. 2017. The production and consumption of urban-climatology science in New York City’s PlaNYC. In: Deas, I. and Hincks, S. eds. Territorial Policy and Governance: Alternative Paths. Regions and Cities Abingdon: Routledge
- Webb, B. and Webber, S. 2017. The implications of condominium neighbourhoods for long-term urban revitalisation.. Cities 61, pp. 48-57. (10.1016/j.cities.2016.11.006)
2016
- Milbourne, P. and Webb, B. 2016. Rural poverty and well-being: material and sociocultural disconnections. In: Phillips, R. and Wong, C. eds. Handbook of Community Well-Being Research. Springer, pp. 473-486.
- Harris, N. R., Webb, B. and Smith, R. S. G. 2016. The process for developing robust housing evidence for local development plans. Project Report. [Online]. Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: http://www.rtpi.org.uk/media/1653691/rtpi_research_briefing_household_projections_in_wales_15_january_2016.pdf
2015
- Wong, C., Baker, M., Webb, B., Hincks, S. and Schulze- Baing, A. 2015. Mapping policies and programmes: the use of GIS to communicate spatial relationships in England. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science 42(6), pp. 1020-1039. (10.1068/b130099p)
- Healy, A., Burgess, S., Webb, B. and Kazmierczak, A. 2015. Exploring methods for the identification of Strategic Planning Areas. Technical Report.
2014
- Wong, C. and Webb, B. 2014. Planning for infrastructure: challenges to Northern England. Town Planning Review 85(6), pp. 683-708.
- Webb, B. 2014. Quality of life in the United Kingdom. In: Michalos, A. ed. Encyclopedia of Quality of Life Research. London: Springer
- Wong, C., Webb, B., Schulze-Baing, A., Baker, M. and Hincks, S. 2014. Spatial synergies and conflict: Monitoring government policies and programmes in England. In: Woltjer, J., Ruth, M. and Alexander, E. eds. Evaluation in Integrated Land Use Management. Routledge, pp. 179-199.
- Baker, M., Webb, B. and Wong, C. 2014. Introduction planning for infrastructure: Transitional pathways for lagging regions. Town Planning Review 85(6), pp. 679-682. (10.3828/tpr.2014.41)
2013
- Hincks, S., Webb, B. and Wong, C. 2013. Fragility and recovery: housing, localities and uneven spatial development in the UK. Regional Studies 48(11), pp. 1842-1862. (10.1080/00343404.2012.761687)
2012
- Deas, I., Hincks, S., Webb, B. and Schulze-Baing, A. 2012. Migration and geographical mobility in European cities. Project Report. EUROCities.
- Hebbert, M. and Webb, B. 2012. Towards a liveable urban climate: Lessons from Stuttgart. In: Gossop, C. and Nan, S. eds. Liveable Cities: Urbanising World. Routledge, pp. 132-147.
- Wong, C., Baker, M., Hincks, S., Schulze-Baing, A. and Webb, B. 2012. A Map for England: Spatial expression of government policies and programmes. Project Report. London: Royal Town Planning Institute.
2011
- Webb, B. 2011. Federalism and the institutional dynamics of intergovernmental spatial policy coordination in Canada. PhD Thesis, University of Manchester.
- Hebbert, M., Jankovic, V. and Webb, B. eds. 2011. City weathers: meteorology and urban design 1950-2010. Manchester Architecture Research Centre.
- Wong, C. et al. 2011. Housing and neighbourhood monitor 2011: Fragility and recovery. Project Report. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
2010
- Webb, B. 2010. Local decline and recovery: Divergent economic performance in England. Working paper. Manchester: University of Manchester.
2008
- Amborski, D. and Webb, B. 2008. Canadian approaches to depressed / underdeveloped areas: A survey of programmes. In: Cankar, S. and Sevic, Z. eds. Decentralisation and Regionalisation: The Slovenian Experience in an International Perspective. London: Greenwich University Press, pp. 25-50.
Articles
- Williams, A., Webb, B. and Gale, R. 2024. Racism and the uneven geography of welfare sanctioning in England. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers (10.1111/tran.12677)
- Potts, R. and Webb, B. 2023. Digital planning practices: benchmarking planners’ use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Planning Practice and Research 38, pp. 520-540. (10.1080/02697459.2023.2216492)
- Webb, B. and White, J. T. 2022. Planning and the high-rise neighbourhood: Debates on vertical cities.. Urban Planning 7(4) (10.17645/up.v7i4.6357)
- Sgueglia, A. and Webb, B. 2021. Residential land supply: contested policy failure in declining land availability for housing. Planning Practice and Research 36(4), pp. 371-388. (10.1080/02697459.2020.1867389)
- Hartt, M., Webb, B. and White, J. 2021. Nested aging: lifecycles in the vertical city. Plan Canada Summer, pp. 32-36.
- Morgan, K. and Webb, B. 2020. Googling the city: in search of the public interest on Toronto's 'Smart' waterfront. Urban Planning 5(1), pp. 84-95. (10.17645/up.v5i1.2520)
- Orford, S. and Webb, B. 2018. Mapping the interview transcript: identifying spatial policy areas from daily working practices. Area 50(4), pp. 529-541. (10.1111/area.12408)
- Harris, N., Webb, B. and Smith, R. 2018. The changing role of household projections: exploring policy conflict and ambiguity in planning for housing. Town Planning Review 89(4), pp. 403-424. (10.3828/tpr.2018.24)
- Hincks, S., Kingston, R., Webb, B. and Wong, C. 2018. A new geodemographic classification of commuting flows for England and Wales. International Journal of Geographical Information Science 32(4), pp. 663-684. (10.1080/13658816.2017.1407416)
- Webb, B. 2017. The use of urban climatology in local climate change strategies: a comparative perspective. International Planning Studies 22(2), pp. 68-84. (10.1080/13563475.2016.1169916)
- Webb, B. and Webber, S. 2017. The implications of condominium neighbourhoods for long-term urban revitalisation.. Cities 61, pp. 48-57. (10.1016/j.cities.2016.11.006)
- Wong, C., Baker, M., Webb, B., Hincks, S. and Schulze- Baing, A. 2015. Mapping policies and programmes: the use of GIS to communicate spatial relationships in England. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science 42(6), pp. 1020-1039. (10.1068/b130099p)
- Wong, C. and Webb, B. 2014. Planning for infrastructure: challenges to Northern England. Town Planning Review 85(6), pp. 683-708.
- Baker, M., Webb, B. and Wong, C. 2014. Introduction planning for infrastructure: Transitional pathways for lagging regions. Town Planning Review 85(6), pp. 679-682. (10.3828/tpr.2014.41)
- Hincks, S., Webb, B. and Wong, C. 2013. Fragility and recovery: housing, localities and uneven spatial development in the UK. Regional Studies 48(11), pp. 1842-1862. (10.1080/00343404.2012.761687)
Book sections
- Hartt, M., Zwick, A. and Webb, B. 2021. The promise and the peril of the smart city. In: Zwick, A. and Spicer, Z. eds. The platform economy and the smart city: Technology and the transformation of urban policy. McGill-Queen's University Press
- Orford, S. and Webb, B. 2019. Situating social policy analysis: Possibilities from quantitative and qualitative GIS. In: Whitworth, A. ed. Towards A Spatial Social Policy: Bridging the gap between geography and social policy. Policy Press, pp. 169-194.
- Webb, B. 2017. The production and consumption of urban-climatology science in New York City’s PlaNYC. In: Deas, I. and Hincks, S. eds. Territorial Policy and Governance: Alternative Paths. Regions and Cities Abingdon: Routledge
- Milbourne, P. and Webb, B. 2016. Rural poverty and well-being: material and sociocultural disconnections. In: Phillips, R. and Wong, C. eds. Handbook of Community Well-Being Research. Springer, pp. 473-486.
- Webb, B. 2014. Quality of life in the United Kingdom. In: Michalos, A. ed. Encyclopedia of Quality of Life Research. London: Springer
- Wong, C., Webb, B., Schulze-Baing, A., Baker, M. and Hincks, S. 2014. Spatial synergies and conflict: Monitoring government policies and programmes in England. In: Woltjer, J., Ruth, M. and Alexander, E. eds. Evaluation in Integrated Land Use Management. Routledge, pp. 179-199.
- Hebbert, M. and Webb, B. 2012. Towards a liveable urban climate: Lessons from Stuttgart. In: Gossop, C. and Nan, S. eds. Liveable Cities: Urbanising World. Routledge, pp. 132-147.
- Amborski, D. and Webb, B. 2008. Canadian approaches to depressed / underdeveloped areas: A survey of programmes. In: Cankar, S. and Sevic, Z. eds. Decentralisation and Regionalisation: The Slovenian Experience in an International Perspective. London: Greenwich University Press, pp. 25-50.
Books
- Sykes, O., Shaw, S. and Webb, B. Rydin, Y. and Clifford, B. eds. 2023. International Planning Studies: An Introduction. Singapore: Palgrave-Macmillan. (10.1007/978-981-19-5407-8)
- Hebbert, M., Jankovic, V. and Webb, B. eds. 2011. City weathers: meteorology and urban design 1950-2010. Manchester Architecture Research Centre.
Conferences
- Shahab, S. and Webb, B. 2023. How are the UK Core Cities responding to retail-related challenges in city centres?. Presented at: Symposium on Repurposing City Centres, London, UK, 14 July 2023.
Monographs
- MacPherson, I. et al. 2020. RTPI measuring what matters: planning outcomes research handbook.
- Bäing, A. S. and Webb, B. 2020. Planning through zoning: a literature review. The Royal Town Planning Institute.
- MacPherson, I. et al. 2020. Report 1: Measuring what matters: planning outcomes toolkit for Wales. London, England: Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/research/2020/november/measuring-what-matters-planning-outcomes-research/
- MacPherson, I. et al. 2020. Report 2: Measuring what matters: planning outcomes toolkit for Wales.. London, England: Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: https://www.rtpi.org.uk/research/2020/november/measuring-what-matters-planning-outcomes-research/
- Webb, B., Harris, N. and Smith, R. 2019. Rural housing delivery in Wales: How effective is rural exception site policy?. Technical Report.
- Webb, B., Harris, N., Cooper, C. and Healy, A. 2017. Identification of regional areas for the National Development Framework. Project Report. Welsh Government.
- Harris, N. R., Webb, B. and Smith, R. S. G. 2016. The process for developing robust housing evidence for local development plans. Project Report. [Online]. Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: http://www.rtpi.org.uk/media/1653691/rtpi_research_briefing_household_projections_in_wales_15_january_2016.pdf
- Healy, A., Burgess, S., Webb, B. and Kazmierczak, A. 2015. Exploring methods for the identification of Strategic Planning Areas. Technical Report.
- Deas, I., Hincks, S., Webb, B. and Schulze-Baing, A. 2012. Migration and geographical mobility in European cities. Project Report. EUROCities.
- Wong, C., Baker, M., Hincks, S., Schulze-Baing, A. and Webb, B. 2012. A Map for England: Spatial expression of government policies and programmes. Project Report. London: Royal Town Planning Institute.
- Wong, C. et al. 2011. Housing and neighbourhood monitor 2011: Fragility and recovery. Project Report. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
- Webb, B. 2010. Local decline and recovery: Divergent economic performance in England. Working paper. Manchester: University of Manchester.
Thesis
- Webb, B. 2011. Federalism and the institutional dynamics of intergovernmental spatial policy coordination in Canada. PhD Thesis, University of Manchester.
Research
Memberships/Affiliations
Member of the Spatial Planning and Analysis in City Environments Research Group
Associate Editor, Regional Studies, Regional Science Editorial Board Member, International Planning Studies Editorial Board Member, Urban Planning Editorial Board Member, Transactions of the Association of European Schools Of Planning (AESOP)
Interests / Areas of Expertise
My research interests fall into two main categories 1) I seek to explore the long-term tensions related to equity and public policy at different spatial scales through the lens of vertical urbanisation, and 2) I want to understand how planners and the planning system are adapting to the introduction Digital Planning and of new forms of ICTs.
Current Projects
- The Community Open Map Platform for Future Generations: Charting the green transition on the Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn, Arts and Humanities Research Council, 2023, PI, Samuel, F.
Recent Projects
- Creating Prosperous City Centres Post Pandemic Through Repurposing Retail Space, Economic and Social Research Council, 2022-2023 PI: Shahab, S.
- Measuring Planning Outcomes, Royal Town Planning Institute, 2020, PI: Harris, N.
- Challenges and solutions for ageing high-rise neighbourhoods in Japan and the UK, ESRC-AHRC, 2019-2020
- Understanding Welsh Places, Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, 2019, PI: Orford, S.
- The Cardiff Capital Region: State of the Region, City Region Exchange, 2019
- Rural housing delivery in Wales: How effective is rural exception site policy?, Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru, 2018
- Identification of Regional Areas for the National Development Framework, Welsh Government, 2017
- Mapping the Interview Transcript: Spatially analysing stakeholder interviews in Wales, Cardiff University – CUROP, 2017, PI: Orford, S.
- Making Space of Policy: A Map for Wales, Impact Acceleration Account, Economic and Social Research Council, 2016-2017
- The Cardiff Capital Region: State of the Region, City Region Exchange, 2016
- The process for developing robust housing evidence for Local Development Plans, Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru, 2015-2016, PI: N. Harris
- Exploring methods for the identification of Strategic Planning Areas, Welsh Government, 2015
- Transportation and the socio-spatial dimensions of travel to work flows, Secondary Data Analysis, Economic and Social Research Council, 2015-2016, PI: R. Kingston
Teaching
Roles
I am currently the Director of Postgraduate Taught Studies within the School.
Teaching
I broadly teach on:
- Urban and regional planning
- Digital Planning
- Spatial analysis/GIS
- Site planning
- Infrastucture and transportation
- Urban governance
- Public policy
Biography
I have over 10 years of experience in planning practice and research and been involved in policy-focused research for a range of public, private, and non-profit organisations. I have undertaken research with colleagues on national planning policy (2017) and strategic planning (2015) for the Welsh Government, use of household projections in Wales for the the RTPI (2015), infrastructure planning challenges in the North of England for the N8 Research Partnership (2013), planning policy coordination for the RTPI’s Map for England project (2012), research on the implications of migration and geographical mobility in European cities for EuroCities (2012), and undertaken research for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in collaboration with research teams across the four nations of the UK on the impact of the recession on housing and neighbourhood dynamics in Local Authorities (2011).
I have experience in utilising a mixed-methods approach to policy evaluation and research through the use of qualitative interviews, quantitative statistics, and the visualisation of data through geographic information systems. I have also published research on well-being and rural poverty.
Prior to working at Cardiff University, I was a researcher for the Centre for Urban Policy Studies at the University of Manchester. I also previously worked in planning practice for the City of Toronto, Canada, and the provincial Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Canada. I am an Associate Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute and have previously served on the Institute’s Membership Panel and Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru's Policy and Research Forum.
Qualifications
- PhD in Planning and Landscape, University of Manchester, UK (2011)
- Bachelor in Urban and Regional Planning (Honours), Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Toronto, Canada (2007)
Career
- Senior Lecturer in Spatial Planning, Cardiff University, UK (2019-present)
- Lecturer in Spatial Planning, Cardiff University, UK (2014-2019)
- Research Associate, University of Manchester (2010-2014)
- Assistant Preservationist, City of Toronto, City Planning, Heritage Preservation Services, Toronto Canada (2006-2007)
- Research Analyst, Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Municipal Programs and Education Branch, Toronto, Canada (2004-2006)
Administrative Appointments
- Director of Postgraduate Taught Studies, 2022-present
- MSc Course Director, Spatial Planning and Development, 2018-2022
- PGCert Course Director, Planning Practice, 2018-2022
- Deputy Chair, Athena SWAN, 2018-present
Professional Memberships
- Royal Town Planning Institute, Associate Member
- Regional Studies Association, Fellow
- Higher Education Academy, Fellow
External Activity
- RTPI Cymru Policy and Research Forum, 2019-2023
- RTPI Membership Panel, Member, 2014 - 2017
- Reviewer for the journals: Urban Studies, Regional Studies, Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, Land Use Policy, Planning Theory, Journal of Planning Literature, International Planning Studies, Planning Practice and Research, Town Planning Review, Habitat International, Local Government Studies, Regional Studies/Regional Science, Canadian Journal of Regional Science, Transactions of the Association of European Schools Of Planning (AESOP), Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Italian Journal of Planning Practice
Supervisions
I am interested in supervising potential applicants in the areas of urban and regional planning, digital planning, land use, housing, infrastructure, and governance.
Current supervision
Vivian Yang
Research student
Andrew Ivins
Research student
Research themes
Specialisms
- Housing policy
- Spatial Planning
- Strategic, metropolitan and regional planning
- Digital Planning
- Public policy
