University of Liverpool Secures £2.2m Grant to Tackle Climate Change and Urbanisation in West Africa

University of Liverpool Secures £2.2m Grant to Tackle Climate Change and Urbanisation in West Africa

(IN BRIEF) The University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture has received a £2.2 million grant from the Leverhulme Trust to establish a research center focused on the impact of climate change and urbanization on West African coastal cities. The five-year project will be led by Professor Taibat Lawanson, who joins from the University of Lagos. The initiative will also launch a Masters Programme in Global Urbanism and Heritage, with a goal of addressing sustainability challenges in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The project aims to foster international collaboration and create positive change in the region.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 2-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture has been awarded a £2.2 million grant from the Leverhulme Trust to establish a pioneering research center focused on the impact of climate change and rapid urbanisation on West African coastal cities. This five-year project aims to address critical challenges facing the region, including the preservation of cultural heritage and the socio-economic effects on vulnerable communities.

The grant will fund the creation of an international research Lab dedicated to studying these pressing issues, with a particular emphasis on aligning the project’s outcomes with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty alleviation, economic growth, sustainable cities, and climate action.

Leading the initiative is Professor Taibat Lawanson, who will join the University of Liverpool as the Leverhulme International Professor in Urbanism. Professor Lawanson, previously at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, will collaborate closely with Professor Ola Uduku, Head of the School of Architecture, to establish the Lab. The research center will not only focus on academic inquiry but also foster practical solutions by launching a new Masters Programme in Global Urbanism and Heritage, which will collaborate directly with the University of Lagos.

The project underscores the University of Liverpool’s commitment to sustainability and international collaboration, particularly in regions facing severe environmental and urban challenges. Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Impact, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s potential to drive positive change and strengthen ties between Liverpool and Lagos, two prominent coastal cities.

Professor Lawanson shared her excitement about the opportunity to contribute to this important work, stating her eagerness to join the university’s esteemed community of scholars in addressing global urbanism and sustainability issues.

This grant represents a significant milestone for the University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture, further cementing its reputation as a leader in research related to architecture, heritage, and urbanism in West Africa.

Media contacts:

Joanne Carr
Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs
T: +44 (0)7825 434900
E: jocarr@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool