GCDC: Global perspective on environmental heritage
Annual Tuition fees at the UKRI Home/EU rate (£4,260 in 2018/19) plus annual stipend at UKRI rates (£14,777 in 2018/19)
This scholarship competition is open to all new postgraduate research applicants.
GCDC scholars will receive the following for 3.5 years:
- Annual stipend at UKRI rates (these were £14,777 in 2018/19);
- Annual tuition fees at UKRI Home/EU rates (these were £4,260 in 2018/19);
- A minimum research training support grant of £3,500; and
- Specialised interdisciplinary GCDC cohort training activities
GCDC Project-led Studentship - Kent School of Architecture: Global perspective on environmental heritage: Sustainable design and architectural heritage in post-colonial Sudan
Background
Historic buildings around the world have been shaped by climatic factors and such represent an embodiment of local environmental intelligence. In the preservation of historic building or design of new buildings historic environmental principles have received little consideration. The premise of this research project, however, is that the recovery of this intelligence could inform the development of modern environmental solutions, in particular in developing countries.
The city of Khartoum in Sudan is the site of a rich architectural heritage, covering colonial and indigenous buildings. These buildings represent significance examples of an architecture designed to be well-adapted to the hot arid climate of this regions. Rapid urbanisation,1 combined with the shunning of historic buildings in favour of western building techniques, however, pose a serious risk to this heritage and building traditions. The following of western architectural precedents, which involve the use of steel, glass and reinforced concrete, have increased reliance on mechanical air conditioning. This is a highly expensive and energy intensive solution. The latter is expensive and energy intensive. The premise underlying this project is that the development of new technologies building on historic principles can contribution to reducing reliance on energy intensive solutions. They were also built using inexpensive local materials and construction methods that do not require a highly skilled labour.
Project Aim
Working closely with stakeholders in industry, academic, government and NGOs, the proposed project aims to investigate how these traditional principles can be revived and adapted for use in modern housing in Sudan. In the first phase of this research project to objective is to gain a critical understanding of the construction and environmental principles underlying the design of colonial and vernacular buildings and to evaluate their effectiveness as low-tech solutions to the problem of environmental control. The research will be based on detailed case studies, focusing on selected colonial and vernacular buildings in Khartoum.
Objectives
The objective of the second part of this project is to develop methodologies by which this knowledge can be directly utilised in the (a) rehabilitation of heritage buildings and to (b) revive traditional principles for application in the design of new and more sustainable types of housing. This aim is to create a model of practice that enables local architects and engineers to design low-tech solutions utilising
local material, traditional construction techniques and passive principles of environmental design. The team at Kent will collaboration closely with the local partners to investigate how this research can feed into Sudanese engineering practice, education and inform government policy or programmes.
How to apply
When applying, students should follow the University of Kent’s online application process.
As part of the process, students should include the following:
- specify the project they wish to apply for;
- explain reasons for study;
- provide details/evidence of qualifications;
- provide two academic references;
- provide other personal information and supporting documentation.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search/FNADGCDCGP01