Spatial Justice After Catastrophe: Speculative Forensic Architecture and Smart Urbanism in Post-War Contexts – The Case of Gaza Strip

About the Project

Applications are invited for a self-funded, 3 year full-time or 6 year part-time PhD project.

The PhD will be based in the School of Architecture, Art and Design and will be supervised by Dr Eiman Elbanhawy.

The work on this project will:

• Investigate spatial justice in post-war contexts by reconstructing urban destruction through speculative and forensic architectural methods using indirect or proxy data (e.g. open-source, archival, and narrative-based sources).
• Analyse urban forms using space syntax and spatial attributes to assess connectivity, accessibility, and social affordances, contributing to a deeper understanding of the urban metabolism of the study area.
• Use immersive technologies (e.g. VR, 3D modelling) alongside sustainable strategies (3D printing, recycled materials, WELL Standard) to support spatial storytelling and design for healthy, resilient urban futures.
• Develop a replicable yet context-sensitive framework for urban planners and policymakers, with Gaza as a prototype.

Project description

This PhD project explores the spatial consequences of war, environmental collapse, and systemic injustice through the lens of speculative forensic architecture and smart urbanism, using Gaza as a critical case study. It investigates how spatial justice can be understood and advanced in post-war contexts where direct access to evidence is limited, contested, or deliberately obscured.

The research begins by reconstructing Gaza’s war-damaged urban fabric using indirect or proxy data—including satellite imagery, archival records, community narratives, and media reports. These reconstructions function as both spatial testimonies and analytical tools for examining how destruction reshapes social, environmental, and spatial relationships.

A multi-method approach will be adopted, with core emphasis on space syntax and spatial attribute analysis to evaluate urban structure and performance before and after conflict. This provides insights into connectivity, accessibility, and social affordances, contributing to a broader understanding of urban metabolism in severely disrupted environments.

These findings will be translated using immersive technologies—such as VR, 3D modelling, and scenario planning—to visualise damage, trauma, and future urban possibilities. In parallel, the project will explore climate-conscious reconstruction strategies, including 3D-printed construction, recycled materials, and bioclimatic design. Interventions will be assessed against the WELL Building Standard to ensure they promote health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

A key output will be a replicable but context-sensitive framework for urban planners and policymakers. While Gaza serves as the central prototype, the framework aims to inform recovery efforts in other climate-vulnerable, conflict-affected settings—emphasising cultural sensitivity, ethical caution, and local adaptation.

This project contributes to interdisciplinary discourse across architecture, urban morphology, sustainability, and conflict studies. It suits a candidate with a background in architecture, urban design, or spatial justice, with interest in both speculative and data-informed methods. Fieldwork in safe zones and engagement with Architects for Gaza may be undertaken, subject to ethical approval.

Funding

Funding Availability: Self-funded PhD students only. PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the UK Government Doctoral Loan (UK and EU students only - eligibility criteria apply).

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

General admissions criteria

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in Architecture, Architectural Engineering, Environmental Studies, Urban Design or a related area. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or Qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Specific candidate requirements

We welcome applicants with a background in architecture, urban design, urban studies, or spatial justice. Ideal candidates will have experience or interest in:

• Spatial analysis and modelling, including tools such as space syntax, GIS, or urban morphology.
• Speculative and immersive design methods, including VR environments, 3D modelling, and scenario-based visualisation.
• Big Data approaches to urbanism, and the ethical handling of indirect, proxy, or narrative-based data.
• Basic competence in quantitative research methods (e.g. statistics) and/or data-driven urban analysis is advantageous.
• A willingness to work across disciplines and engage with both qualitative and quantitative research approaches is essential.

The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in and experience of working with VR suites, digital fabrication, community-engaged design, handling GIS data, and analysing Big Data (e.g., using SPSS and/or R).

How to Apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Eiman Elbanhawy  (eiman.elbanhawy@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please follow the 'Apply now' link on theArchitecture, interiors and urbanismPhD subject area page and select the link for the relevant intake. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

When applying please quote project code: AAD10001026