Urban Facilities Management in the Smart Places Ecosystem

About the Project

Growing areas of academic and policy interest in the built environment consider the role of cities as homes to the majority of the world’s population and key drivers for health and wellbeing, resilience and sustainable development. However, a range of challenges exist in relation to urban inequalities, people and places and climate change. The built environment is a major contributor to climate change, which brings research priorities in enabling cities to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A further priority is around resilience and the need to adapt to climate change impacts that are already being felt alongside city environments that promote physical and mental health and wellbeing, inclusion, liveability and social value.

Smart places ecosystems consider previously independent local buildings becoming increasingly linked by digitalisation, enabling interconnected efficiencies. Facilities management (FM) has an impact on the urban environment, but significant work is needed to realise the SDGs. At this stage, facilities management has an opportunity to shape the development of smart place ecosystems. Urban FM is at the interface of smart assets, buildings, cities and portfolios and people and communities and is therefore suitably placed to make a positive contribution to mutual benefit at the neighbourhood, community and city level.

Digitalisation and urban FM bring a service focus to support the SDGs, liveability, health and wellbeing and social value to urban communities. This project will consider the implementation of a digitalised urban FM framework to enable smarter city development and operation within the smart places ecosystem.

Academic qualifications

Have, or expect to achieve by the time of start of the studentship a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, ideally in real estate, facilities management, business and management, sustainable development, smart places or other built environment related discipline with a good fundamental knowledge of real estate and facilities management.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:

• Only a first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level in a subject relevant to the PhD project will be considered, or equivalent achievements.
• Experience of fundamental research data analysis
• Competent in applying a range of research methodologies
• Knowledge of real estate, facilities management, sustainable development or smart places
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
• Good time management

Desirable attributes:

• Practical experience in research or industry will be considered an advantage.
• Ability to think critically and work as part of an academic team

When applying click here

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (download)
• Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about
  1. Background and motivation of the project. The motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
  2. Research questions or objectives.
  3. Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
  4. List of references.
• The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.
• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)

To be considered, the application must use

• the advertised title as project title

For informal enquiries about this PhD project, please contact A.Smith7@napier.ac.uk