Delivering Humanised Places research partnership set to challenge the ‘blandemic’ of dull, soulless development.
Published: 7 October 2026
Humanise, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the University of Glasgow have joined forces to create a major research project exploring how buildings can strengthen health, pride and belonging.
How would you describe where you live? Are you part of the 4% of people living in England’s post-war new towns who spontaneously used the word “nice” to describe their town? Or would your description be somewhat less enthusiastic?
In the summer a new emerging area, Architectural Futures, was added to the GCF portfolio. It’s led by Prof Rebecca Madgin and builds on the successful work of the AHRC Place Programme. Architectural Futures brings together the felt, lived, geographic, administrative and economic dimensions of place to respond to contemporary place-based challenges.
Delivering Humanised Places is a £1.5 million partnership between Humanise, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the University of Glasgow, led by Prof Madgin, that will explore how buildings can strengthen health, pride and belonging. The partnership will connect academic research and neuroscience with citizen experience and professional practice, applying that combined knowledge in real-world settings.
As the UK Government advances plans for a new generation of new towns across England, this project is set to transform how Britain’s buildings, towns and cities are designed - and challenge the ‘blandemic’ of dull, soulless development.
Led by Professor Rebecca Madgin, GCF Architectural Futures lead, Director of the AHRC Place Programme and Professor of Urban Studies at UofG School of Social and Political Sciences, the work will connect academic research and neuroscience with citizen experience and professional practice, applying that combined knowledge in real-world settings.
Professor Rebecca Madgin said: “Places are not simply physical settings. They shape how we feel, how we connect with one another and the extent to which we develop a sense of belonging.
“A humanised place is designed around people’s lived and felt experiences. It can nurture attachment, strengthen identity and inspire feelings such as joy and pride, while helping to reduce loneliness, frustration and disillusionment.
“By bringing together rigorous research, professional expertise and citizens’ experiences, this partnership will demonstrate how human-centred design can improve lives, create lasting public value and support better social and economic outcomes.”
The project launches as the UK Government pushes ahead with 1.5 million new homes and a new generation of new towns across England. The partnership will explore how that ambition can translate into places people value and are proud to call home.
First published: 7 October 2026
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