Everyday Living and Spatial Practices

This strand investigates how urban spaces are produced, used, experienced, and continually reinterpreted through everyday life. It examines the reciprocal relationship between people and place: how spatial form shapes social practices, and how, in turn, people construct, negotiate, and transform the meaning of space. Focusing on urban design, architecture, wayfinding, participatory placemaking, and the politics of space, the strand studies the choreography of daily urban life: the routines, rituals, movements, and informal performances through which space is appropriated, negotiated, and reclaimed. It considers how cultures are manifested, identities are formed, and wellbeing is shaped through lived and sensorial engagement with the city.  

Methodologically, the strand adopts design-led and ethnographic research approaches, combining spatial analysis with participatory design, behavioural observation, mapping, visualisation, and emerging digital technologies. We seek to bridge theory and practice by translating insights from spatial practices into more responsive, inclusive, and human-centred design strategies. 

Members: 

Dr Yazid Khemri Yazid.Khemri@bcu.ac.uk (strand lead) 

Dr Jieling Xiao jieling.xiao@bcu.ac.uk  

Dr Hocine Bougdah Hocine.bougdah@bcu.ac.uk 

Dr Sandra Costa Sandra.costa@bcu.ac.uk 

Dr Federica Mirra Federica.Mirra@bcu.ac.uk  

Emma Widopp Emma.Widdop@bcu.ac.uk  

Andy Hilton Andrew.Hilton@bcu.ac.uk  

Dr Jenny Peevers, Thirdspace Project (External Member) 

Projects:

Creating sensory heritage trails 

Biodiversity and Wellbeing in the Carceral Landscape Agenda 

El Houma: Rethinking Neighbourhoods Through Everyday Urban Life