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Richard Nunes

Associate Professor of Planning and Sustainability

Undergraduate Programme Area Director
BSc Real Estate with Dip/MSc Urban Planning and Development Director

Richard Nunes 75e5pfiod

Specialisms

  • Environmental design, 
  • Sustainability transitions, 
  • Local environment and economic development planning, 
  • Urban bioregionalism

Location

HBS 222, Whiteknights Campus

Richard Nunes' interests relate to design, planning, and governance, especially where it involves the integration of urban ecosystem services into development planning processes and urban policy decision-making tools. He examines human-environment interactions, whether mediated by citizen actions or institutions, and its effects on the interplay of knowledge and policy development as well as strategic planning processes and outcomes.

Richard is mainly concerned with how and why environmental attitudes, risk perceptions, and associated ecological behaviour vary across distinct social and stakeholder groups, different biophysical settings, and diverse places.

Qualifications

  • PhD, University College London, 2011
  • Master in Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2003
  • Bachelor in Architecture, Cornell University, 1996

Current PhD students

Martha Cross. Is a City-Regional Food System a feasible, advisable, or desirable response to the sustainability challenge? (with Prof. Mike Goodman, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Sciences). Funder: REP

Tajudeen Olawale Azeez. Effects of Climate Change on Housing Design/Quality and Health in Nigeria (with Prof Chuks Okereke, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Sciences). Funder: REP

Martyna Surma. Urban Planning for Sustainable Workplace Engagement (with Dr Caroline Rook, Henley Business School). Funder: REP

Adele Wylie. Placing women’s food work in a global pandemic: a critical comparative case study of Bristol and Stockholm (with Prof Mike Goodman, School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Sciences). Funder: ESRC

Nicholas Fielmua. Community-based management of small-town water systems in North-western Ghana: Performance and institutional analysis (with Dr. Victoria Edwards, School of Real Estate and Planning). Funder: REP. Completed: 2015

Kirsten Alke. Boundary encounters: The experiences of international migrant spatial planners adapting to work in Southern England (with Prof. Kathy Pain, School of Real Estate and Planning). Funder: REP. Completed: 2016

Amy Burnett. The politics of policy innovation in Neighbourhood Development Plans (with Prof. Gavin Parker, School of Real Estate and Planning). Funder: REP. Completed: 2017

Andre Dornelles. Understanding geographical variation in food system lock-ins that drive social and environmental impacts(with Dr Tom Oliver, School of Biological Sciences). Funder: CAPES - Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education. Completed: 2021


Reference: Nunes, R. and Fielmua, N. (2023) Institutional bricolage in community-based water management: some insights from non-representational theory. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 39 (3). pp. 404-432. ISSN 1360-0648 doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2022.2078288
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Vega-Salas, M. J., Murray, C. , Nunes, R. , Hidalgo-Arestegui, A., Curi-Quinto, K., Penny, M. E., Cueto, S., Lovegrove, J. A. , Sanchez, A. and Vimaleswaran, K. S. (2023) School environments and obesity: a systematic review of interventions and policies among school-age students in Latin America and the Caribbean. International Journal of Obesity, 47. pp. 5-16. ISSN 1476-5497 doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-022-01226-9
Henley faculty authors:
Claudia Murray - Richard Nunes
Reference: Moys, J.-L. , Hwang, F. , Marsili, U. , Nunes, R. , Tagg, A. and Vasilikou, C. (2023) The inclusive way’ hackathon – inclusive wayfinding and pedagogy. InfoDesign : Brazilian Journal of Information Design, 20 (2). ISSN 1808-5377 doi: https://doi.org/10.51358/id.v20i2.1091
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Zuanazzi Dornelles, A. , Boonstra, W. J., Delabre, I., Denney, J. M., Nunes, R. J. , Jentsch, A., Nicholas, K. A., Schröter, M., Seppelt, R., Settele, J., Shackelford, N., Standish, R. J. and Oliver, T. H. (2022) Transformation archetypes in global food systems. Sustainability Science. ISSN 1862-4065 doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-022-01102-5
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Taylor, B. and Nunes, R. (2022) Entitlement, indeterminacy and professional discretion in urban planning: problematising a childʼs right to clean air for play in London. Sustainability, 14 (10). 6189. ISSN 2071-1050 doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106189
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Taylor, B. and Nunes, R. (2022) Entitlement, indeterminacy and professional discretion in urban planning: problematising a child’s right to clean air for play in London. Sustainability, 14 (10). e6189. ISSN 2071-1050 doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106189
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Burnett, A. and Nunes, R. J. (2021) Flatpack democracy: power and politics at the boundaries of transition. Environmental Policy and Governance, 31 (3). pp. 223-236. ISSN 1756-932X doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.1931
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Nunes, R. J. (2021) Institutional liminality, ideological pluralism, and the pragmatic behaviours of a ‘transition entrepreneur'. Geoforum, 126. pp. 215-223. ISSN 0016-7185 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2021.07.027
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Nunes, R. J. and Parker, G. (2021) Institutional liminality, ideological pluralism, and the pragmatic behaviours of a ‘transition entrepreneur’. Geoforum, 126. pp. 215-223. ISSN 0016-7185 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2021.07.027
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes - Gavin Parker
Reference: Curi-Quinto, K., Sanchez, A., Lago-Berrocal, N., Penny, M., Murray, C. , Nunes, R. , Favara, M., Wijeyesekera, A. , Lovegrove, J. , Soto-Caceres, V. and Vimaleswaran, K. S. (2021) Role of government financial support and vulnerability char-acteristics associated with food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic among young Peruvians. Nutrients, 13 (10). 3546. ISSN 2072-6643 doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103546
Henley faculty authors:
Claudia Murray - Richard Nunes
Reference: Surma, M. J., Nunes, R. J. , Rook, C. and Loder, A. (2021) Assessing employee engagement in a post-COVID-19 work-place ecosystem. Sustainability, 13 (20). 11443. ISSN 2071-1050 doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su132011443
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes - Dr Caroline Rook
Reference: Nunes, R. (2020) Regional planning: the resilience of an imperative. In: The International Encyclopedia of Geography: People, the Earth, Environment, and Technology. Wiley. ISBN 9781118786352 doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118786352.wbieg1145.pub2
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Dornelles, A. Z., Boyd, E. , Nunes, R. J. , Asquith, M., Boonstra, W. J., Delabre, I., Denney, J. M., Grimm, V., Jentsch, A., Nicholas, K. A., Schröter, M., Seppelt, R., Settele, J., Shackelford, N., Standish, R. J., Yengoh, G. T. and Oliver, T. H. (2020) Towards a bridging concept for undesirable resilience in social-ecological systems. Global Sustainability, 3. ISSN 2059-4798 doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/sus.2020.15
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: da Cal Seixas, S. R. and Nunes, R. J. (2017) Subjectivity in a context of environmental change: opening new dialogues in mental health research. Subjectivity, 10 (3). pp. 294-312. ISSN 1755-635X doi: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41286-017-0032-z
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Nunes, R. (2017) Rethinking justice in city-regional food systems planning. Built Environment, 43 (3). pp. 447-459. ISSN 0263-7960 doi: https://doi.org/10.2148/benv.43.3.447
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Nunes, R. , Van der Meulen, S., Mol, G. and Bailey, A. , (2015) Cities on the grow. Pathways to supporting the sustainable growth of urban food enterprises in London, Reading and Almere. Report. University of Reading
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Feola, G. and Nunes, R. (2014) Success and failure of grassroots innovations for addressing climate change: the case of the Transition Movement. Global Environmental Change, 24. pp. 232-250. ISSN 0959-3780 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.11.011
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Adams, N., Cotella, G. and Nunes, R. (2014) The engagement of territorial knowledge communities with European spatial planning and the territorial cohesion debate: a Baltic perspective. European Planning Studies, 22 (4). pp. 712-734. ISSN 1469-5944 doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2013.772735
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Feola, G. and Nunes, R. , (2013) Failure and success of transition initiatives: a study of the international replication of the transition movement. Research Note. 4. Walker Institute for Climate System Research, University of Reading, Reading.
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Cotella, G., Adams, N. and Nunes, R. (2012) Engaging in European spatial planning: a central and Eastern European perspective on the territorial cohesion debate. European Planning Studies, 20 (7). pp. 1197-1220. ISSN 1469-5944 doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2012.673567
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Nunes, R. (2011) Conceptualizing change in the Portuguese footwear industry: regional voices and cognitive spaces of agency. PhD thesis, University College London.
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Adams, N., Cotella, G. and Nunes, R. (2011) Territorial knowledge channels. Contexts for ‘situated learning’. In: Adams, N., Cotella, G. and Nunes, R. (eds.) Territorial Development, Cohesion and Spatial Planning: Knowledge and Policy Development in an Enlarged EU. Regions and cities (46). Routledge, London. ISBN 9780415551946
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Adams, N., Cotella, G. and Nunes, R. (2011) Spatial planning in Europe: the interplay between knowledge and policy in an enlarged EU. In: Adams, N., Cotella, G. and Nunes, R. (eds.) Territorial Development, Cohesion and Spatial Planning: Knowledge and Policy Development in an Enlarged EU. Regions and cities (46). Routledge, London. ISBN 9780415551946
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Adams, N., Cotella, G. and Nunes, R. (2011) Territorial knowledge channels in a multi-jurisdictional policy environment: toward a theoretical framework. In: Adams, N., Cotella, G. and Nunes, R. (eds.) Territorial Development, Cohesion and Spatial Planning: Knowledge and Policy Development in an Enlarged EU. Regions and cities (46). Routledge, London. ISBN 9780415551946
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Cidre, E., Cotella, G. and Nunes, R. (2008) Editorial: Central and Eastern European enlargement: new challenges and opportunities for urban environments. Alpha Spectra Planning Studies: Central European Journal of Architecture and Planning, 12 (1). ISSN 1338-0370
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Nunes, R. , Heitor, M. and Conceicao, P. (2007) Technological change and the challenges for regional development: building social capital in less-favoured regions. In: Kuklinski, A., Landabaso, M. and Roman, C. (eds.) Europe: reflections on social capital, innovation and regional development: the Ostuni consensus. REUPUS Recifer Eurofutures Publication Series (3). Wyzsza Szkola Biznesu - National-Louise University. ISBN 9788388421518
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes
Reference: Nunes, R. , Cidre, E. and Cotella, G. (2007) Editorial: Central and Eastern European engagement: planning, development and sustainability. Alpha Spectra Planning Studies: Central European Journal of Architecture and Planning, 11 (2). ISSN 1135-2679
Henley faculty authors:
Richard Nunes

Real Estate and Planning Dissertation

The Real Estate and Planning Dissertation module provides a vehicle for an in-depth understanding of a chosen area of planning, real estate, and rural land and business management practice. ...

Module code: REMDISS40

Sustainability and Urban Design

This module provides an introductory level overview of basic urban design concepts and sustainability principles....

Module code: RE3SUD

Urban Design and Sustainability

This module provides an introductory level overview of basic urban design concepts and sustainability principles....

Module code: REMP16

Spatial Planning Dissertation

This module brings together teaching and learning across the programme, incorporating taught and assessed research methods....

Module code: REMDISS30

Waste Food-Energy-Water Urban Living Labs - Mapping and Reducing Waste in the Food-Energy-Water Nexus (2018-2020).
ESRC/AHRC/Innovate UK, and several other international research councils (£1,313,856.11)
Co-I Coventry University (Lead), University of Bath, Schumacher Institute, Wessex Water, GENeco, Centre for Sustainable Energy and the Bristol Food Network (UK), and international partners in Brazil, The Netherlands, South Africa, Norway and United States.

Mental Health, Violence and Urban Global Environmental Change (2014-16)
FAPESP São Paulo Research Foundation (£75,000)
Co-I with State University of Campinas (São Paulo, Brazil)

Urban Coastal Transformations: Promoting transnational policy development in the governance of environmental quality and crime reduction (2015)
ESRC and FAPESP São Paulo Research Foundation (£39,507)
Co-I with Oxford Brookes University (Lead), State University of Campinas (Sao Paulo, Brazil), University of Cardiff

Cities on the Grow - Pathways to supporting the sustainable growth of urban food enterprises in London, Reading and Almere (2014-2015)
EIT European Institute of Innovation and Technology - Climate KIC (£160,000)
Co-I with Wageningen University (Lead), Deltares, Henley Business School Centre for Entrepreneurship