Additional Information

Selected research projects

Eco-Urbanisation: promoting sustainable development in Metropolitan Regions of China. ESRC / Newton Fund Urban transformations in China (with C.Wong and colleagues) (2016-18)

A Map for England: Spatial Expression of Government Policies and Programmes (with C. Wong and colleagues). Sponsored by the Royal Town Planning Institute (2012)

The Geography of Housing Market Areas in England (with colleagues in CUPS (SED) and the Universities of Heriot-Watt, Newcastle upon Tyne and Sheffield). Funded by National Housing and Planning Advisory Unit (NHPAU) (2009-2010).

Euro-Chinese Urban and Regional Bi-Continental Research Scheme (ECURBS) (with the Universities of Nanjing, Paris 12, Utrecht and Liverpool). EU funded exchange programme (under FP7-PEOPLE-IRSES-MARIE CURIE ACTIONS) (2009-2012).

Peer Review of the North West Regional Strategy 2010 (RS2010) Evidence Base (with colleagues in CUPS, IPEG and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies. Funded by NWDA / 4NW (2009).

Spatial Plans in Practice (SPiP) (with Baker Associates, Terence O'Rourke and the Universities of Liverpool and West of England). Funded by DCLG (2005-08).

Local Development Framework Monitorong (with C. Wong and S. Kidd). Funded by DETR (2004-05).

The Future of Sub-Regional Planning (with P. Roberts, University of Liverpool). Funded by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) (2002-03).

The Effect of Strategic Environmental Assessment on Development Plans (with C. Wood, M. Short, J. Carter and C. Jones). Funded by ESRC (2001-03).

The Future of Sub-Regional Planning (with P. Roberts, University of Liverpool). Funded by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) (2002-03).

The Effect of Strategic Environmental Assessment on Development Plans (with C. Wood, M. Short, J. Carter and C. Jones). Funded by ESRC (2001-03).

Future Sub-Regional Planning Arrangements (with P. Roberts, University of Liverpool). Funded by the County Surveyors' Society (2002).

Stakeholder Involvement in the Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) Process (with the Town and Country Planning Association). Part funded by ODPM (2001-03).

The People: Where will they work? Contribution on the North West Region (with C. Wong & N. Gallent) as part of TCPA Research project on the changing geography of jobs. (1999).

Examination of the Operation and Effectiveness of the Structure Planning Process (Joint-Director of a project involving staff at Manchester, Newcastle and Dundee Universities). Funded by DETR (1997-98).

Regionalism, Devolution and Social Housing (with colleagues at Newcastle University). Funded by Joseph Rowntree Foundation / National Housing Forum. (1997-98).

Central Government Intervention in the Plan-Making Process. Funded by Manchester University (Faculty of Arts). (1996-97)
 

The Regional Economy of the Trans-Pennine Corridor (with M. Hebbert). Funded by North West Regional Assembly, North West Partnership & the European Union. (1995-96).

BSc, MCD, PhD, MRTPI, Professor

Responsibilities

Professor of Urban and Regional Planning
 
Director of teaching and Learning (2014- 2017)

Mark is a chartered town planner with previous professional experience in local government (Durham County Council) and two different Government Offices (GO-NE and GO-NW) as well as that of a lecturer at Newcastle and Manchester Universities. He has well-developed research interests in regional and strategic planning; central-local relations and the plan-making process; and development plan and development control procedures. His recent research activities include work on stakeholder involvement in the RPG process (sponsored by ODPM / TCPA), the use of environmental and sustainability appraisal within development plans (sponsored by ESRC) and the future of sub-regional planning in England (for CPRE). He was the project manager and co-director of a recent DETR sponsored research project on the operation and effectiveness of the English structure planning process and led the University of Manchester contribution to the CLG funded project on Spatial Plans in Practice (SPiP). He has been involved in a number of other research projects, sponsored by a range of organisations including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the North West Regional Association, the Town and Country Planning Association, NHPAU, North West Development Agency and DTLR. He has been Chair of the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)'s Regional Planning Task Team and a member of TCPA's Policy Council and a co-opted member of the Regional Studies Association (RSA)'s Board.