24.01.2006
Urban geographer at the University of Brighton, Dr Darren Smith has undertaken the first national-scale study into the impact of growing concentrations of students – termed studentification.
Commissioned by Universities UK, and funded by the DfES the guide identifies examples of good practice in six British towns and cities including Brighton.
The research demonstrates ways in which students and student housing within local communities can be most effectively managed, and how the benefits that students can bring to university towns and cities may be more fully nurtured.
The guide highlights how local authorities, communities and higher education stakeholders are working together to better integrate students into their local environment.
Dr Smith from the School of the Environment, who coined the term studentification, concludes that students are fairly well integrated into the community in Brighton.
Good practice highlighted at the University of Brighton includes developing an accommodation strategy in conjunction with the local authority and setting a policy to manage private sector housing. This scheme seeks to disperse students throughout the city to avoid ghettoisation of students which has happened in other cities.
The university's Cupp (Community University Partnership Programme) was also seen to have a very positive impact. This initiative was set up by the university to improve its relationship with the local community by collaborating with community and public sectors in research, student learning and knowledge exchange to tackle the disadvantaged.
Dr Smith said: "The research shows that the impact and perceptions of studentification are uneven across the UK. There is also a lot of innovative work going on across the country by some universities and local authorities but these initiatives must be sensitive to local contexts."
"The experience at the University of Brighton has shown the importance of taking a pro-active approach to providing accommodation for students."
Councillor Don Turner, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council's housing
committee said: "At an estimated 2.2% of the city's household population,
students play a key part in the Brighton & Hove's housing picture
and in its economic structure. In addition, large numbers of young people
who choose Brighton & Hove as a place to study also
remain
here after graduating and go on to contribute further to the city's cultural
and economic life."
"Brighton & Hove City Council very much welcomes the innovative new research done by Dr Smith and the University of Brighton, which is helping us to understand the impact of the student population on the city's housing picture. We will continue and develop our good practice, working closely with both universities to develop policy responses to student issues within the city."
Dr Smith is a keynote speaker at the Universities UK conference on Wednesday 25 January focusing on engaging students and Higher Education Institutions with their communities.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
