28.06.2006
The UK is leading the proactive response to managing large concentrations of students, according to research by urban geographer at the university, Dr Darren Smith. The research was presented to MPs on Tuesday 27 June by the Vice-Chancellors' organisation Universities UK.
Follow-up research to a Universities UK report by Dr Smith on the impact of concentrations of students on local communities, shows that 'studentification' is becoming an "international phenomenon" and that the UK is ahead in successfully addressing the issue.
Professor Diana Green, Vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, and Dr Darren Smith, author of the Universities UK report - 'Studentification: a guide to opportunities challenges and practice' - told the Housing Minister Baroness Andrews and MPs of the progress being made in tackling the issue during the parliamentary briefing.
Professor Diana Green, who leads the Universities UK student experience strategy group, said: "This debate has moved on considerably in recent years. Our research recognises that large and poorly managed concentrations of students have given rise to problems in the past. The report takes these issues and looks at the range of ways in which higher education institutions and other stakeholders are addressing them. The intention is to provide a tool kit to help universities deal with problems, should they arise."
"Rather than ducking the question, universities have become much more proactive about the issues raised by the accommodation of students and are now developing clearly defined strategies to work with established communities."
Since the report's launch in January, Dr Darren Smith, urban geographer at the University of Brighton, has been continuing the research overseas.
Dr Smith said: "Studentification is now becoming an international phenomenon. In Australia, Canada and Ireland, students also cluster in particular areas, and universities are increasingly seeking to enable purpose-built communities to accommodate students. In some contexts, this has led to the emergence of student 'ghettos' where students can be isolated from locals and not fully immersed in the local community."
"The UK is leading the pro-active response to dealing with studentification and lessons from the UK experience can be transposed to other countries. The key finding is that one solution does not fit all and when looking at strategies to deal with studentification, planners must take into account the sensitivities of the local area and involve the community. It is also essential that the benefits of students are filtered through to local communities so that the benefits that students can bring to university towns and cities may be fully nurtured."
The meeting was be hosted by Greg Mulholland MP (Leeds North West) and included brief keynote speeches from Professor Diana Green, Dr Darren Smith and Housing Minister Baroness Andrews.
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