The project will involve the identification of key drivers of fuel poverty and possible solutions to alleviate this problem in Reading, in conversation with key stakeholders (e.g., Reading Borough Council, local utilities).
Department: Architecture
Supervised by: Dr Daniela Perrotti
The project aims to apply models for urban metabolism analysis to assess the fuel poverty issue in Reading. Reading will be used as a case study to generalise results to other small UK cities with similar demographic and socioeconomic profiles. The students will use data collected during a previous study of the metabolism of Reading, which employed the Material Flow Analysis (MFA) methodology (input-output quantification of water, energy, reused/landfilled waste, and carbon dioxide emissions by sectors). The work will concentrate on the per capita estimates of energy input flows of the MFA, i.e. estimates of postcode level electricity and gas consumption, as well as transport fuel. Data on electricity and gas consumption at the postcode level will related to household characteristics using regression analysis. Energy data will be analysed in parallel to estimates of income levels (following the UK Government’s definition of official poverty line) and other demographic and census data (e.g. ages of occupants, employment income, commuting distance, average transport fuel expenditure/household, average rental rates, property values). Data collection results will be translated into mapping at each step of the collection process (GIS layered maps) and communicated to key stakeholders. Mitigation measures will be explored to reduce housing energy costs (including retrofit options). Whenever relevant, the fuel poverty problem will be analysed in parallel to other situations of deprivation in Reading (e.g. food insecurity, utility poverty in general) to identify recurrent patterns and correlation among areas of socioeconomic precarity, and to explore strategies for increased elasticity of household expenditures.
- Engage with relevant urban metabolism and fuel poverty literature, as well as with fuel poverty statistics at the national and sub-regional levels (15%) - Engage with local stakeholders to collect data (20%) - Compile and analyse data sets (15%) - Map data using GIS (20%) - Prepare a report and poster (20%) - Meet regularly with the PI and Co-Pi to discuss findings (10%)
- Understanding of energy demand, as well as socio-environmental issues such as resource depletion and utility poverty (essential) - GIS mapping skills (desirable) - Strong interpersonal skills and inquisitive nature (essential) - Quantitative skills (essential) - Familiarity with urban metabolism (desired) - Some travel required (site visits)
- Gain an understanding of sustainability, urban metabolism, utility poverty and relevant mitigation strategies - Practice in report composition - Communication with local and international experts - Applications of quantitative data analysis in an ongoing project
Most of the work will take place within the Chancellor's building (Whiteknights) and the Old Library building (London Road) within the School of the Built Environment, with some travel by public transportation to stakeholder visits. The first supervisor and co-supervisor may accompany the student for part of this, until the student is comfortable with these visits.
09:00 - 17:00
Monday 18 June 2018 - Friday 27 July 2018
The post will be advertised centrally on the UROP website until Monday 30th April. Please send an email expressing your interest in this project to Dr. Daniela Perrotti and Dr. Eugene Mohareb in the School of the Built Environment by email, at d.perrotti@reading.ac.uk and e.mohareb@reading.ac.uk. Interviews will be conducted by Dr. Perrotti and Dr. Mohareb.