Citymakers: City Knowledge, Knowledge City

From our fifth annual Citymakers series, we explore the dynamic between knowledge production and city renewal by taking the conversation to three very different contexts; London, Manchester and Cambridge, where research and academic institutions continue to grow, thrive and redefine their relationship to the city. The publication features material from a lecture series delivered across these UK cities, each representing a very different history and future for these well-acquainted companions.

From a vision of dreaming spires to catalytic innovation districts, the design of our environments for knowledge and learning is changing, leaving the rather exclusive and rarified behind and moving towards somewhere a lot more lively and collaborative. Yet within that broad brush generalisation there is a lot of hidden nuance: knowledge ‘production’ requires a great variety of environments, from the highly controlled and technologically equipped to the loose-fit and flexible. Demands always evolving, how are universities and other actors in the knowledge sector grappling with these requirements as they modernise existing estates and develop new accommodation, in order to attract and retain the best talent and the most prestigious research grants and programmes?

In an urban context, how do choices about location and the wider learning environment impact their surroundings and their neighbours? How is their considerable influence harnessed to the greater benefit of the city that hosts them? And what are the roles and responsibilities of the academic institution as a 21st century citymaker?

With essays from practitioners: Alison Brooks, Joe Berridge, Sarah Chubb, Rick Splinter, academics: Jeremy Till, Yolande Barnes, development and innovation: Kate Wittels, Jane Hutchins, Lou Cordwell, higher education: Rod Cantrill, Kenneth Kinsella and Dame Nancy Rothwell, as well as contributions from Allies and Morrison's own Paul Eaton, Artur Carulla, Paul Appleton, Antje Saunders, Emad Sleiby, Daniel Elsea, Eric Martin, Max Kettenacker and Charlotte Hodges. Edited by Miranda Westwood.

You can read the publication here.