Publications
John Wood’s Essay Towards a Description of the City of Bath
A misleading account of John Wood the Elder’s influential work, An Essay Towards a Description of the City of Bath, has been corrected. This 18th-century text, though antiquarian theories were often absurd, shaped the Georgian cityscape and contributed to Bath’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The study clarifies the bibliographical history, addressing errors introduced by 19th-century scholars Upcott and Lowndes. By analyzing primary sources and historical records, the research restores accuracy to the scholarly record, ensuring proper recognition of Wood’s architectural legacy.
Transforming hot-spring cities into innovation hubs: A comparative cluster-based analysis of Beppu, Bath, and Vichy
Hot-spring cities can transform into innovation hubs not through resource abundance alone, but via institutional coordination and strategic integration of wellness, heritage, healthcare, and education sectors. A comparative analysis of Beppu (Japan), Bath (UK), and Vichy (France)—two UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns—reveals that Bath and Vichy leverage limited hydrothermal resources more effectively through governance, long-stay tourism demand, and quality branding, achieving higher-value urban development. In contrast, Beppu, despite vast resources, remains reliant on volume-based tourism due to weaker cross-sector orchestration. The study underscores the developmental potential of hot-spring cities as a place-based institutional process rather than an automatic outcome of resource endowments, offering policy insights for Japanese spa cities.
Building the city of the dead: Bath and burial reforms, 1820–1860
Victorian cities, including Bath, underwent significant changes in burial practices between 1820 and 1860, transitioning from churchyards to secular cemeteries with government-mandated rules. This shift was driven by complex interactions among entrepreneurs, public health reformers, and the Anglican clergy, leading to a series of compromises that shaped the 'cities of the dead.' The study reveals how these reforms influenced citizenship of the deceased, providing insights into Victorian social history. By analyzing networks of stakeholders and their discourses, the research highlights the secondary agency of the deceased in structuring urban burial landscapes.
Just transition in the post-pandemic city
Urban climate governance often separates social justice and environmental sustainability, leading to fragmented and ineffective action. A study of Bristol, Bath, and Exeter reveals that while these cities show promise in net-zero aspirations, the pandemic hindered progress, and just transition principles remain partially embedded without clear integration. Social justice and ecological goals are frequently treated as conflicting rather than complementary, with climate work siloed around energy and transport sectors. Civil society engagement is notably lacking, highlighting a critical gap in delivering a just transition. To address this, cities need better tools to analyze the interplay of distributional, recognitional, participatory, and restorative justice aspects, alongside deeper collaboration with grassroots actors across diverse sectors.
Impact of green space connectivity on urban tick presence, density and Borrelia infected ticks in different habitats and seasons in three cities in southern England
Urban green spaces with higher connectivity to woodlands show increased tick presence and nymph density, particularly during spring. A multi-city study across Bath, Bristol, and Southampton revealed that proximity to woodland positively correlates with tick abundance in urban recreational areas, while Borrelia spp. prevalence in ticks remained low (2.8%) but consistent with rural UK data. Bird-related Borrelia genospecies were dominant, suggesting birds may play a key role in tick infection dynamics in urban settings. The research used geospatial analysis and seasonal sampling to assess risk factors for Lyme borreliosis transmission, highlighting the need for further investigation into human exposure in urban environments.
The burden of city's pain treatment – A longitudinal one year study of two cities via wastewater-based epidemiology
A longitudinal wastewater-based epidemiology study of Bath and Keynsham reveals significant seasonal variation in pain medication use, with NSAIDs and paracetamol peaking in winter months, while chronic pain treatments show minimal seasonality. The research demonstrates that a substantial portion of NSAIDs—particularly naproxen—is disposed of directly into sewerage systems due to topical application, bypassing metabolism. This finding challenges conventional assumptions about NSAID metabolism, which typically overestimate intake when based on parent compound excretion. By integrating wastewater monitoring with NHS prescription data, the study proposes a novel approach to estimate total pain medication usage, accounting for both oral and topical administration while addressing gaps in over-the-counter drug tracking.
Reconstructing the peak flow of historical flood events using a hydraulic model: The city of Bath, United Kingdom
Including historical flood data can significantly increase estimates of extreme flood risk. A 1D hydraulic model of the River Avon in Bath, UK, revealed that incorporating pre-1960 flood events raised the 1-in-100-year design flood estimate by up to 30%. The study reconstructed peak flows for 16 historical events using archival cross-sections, technical drawings, and epigraphic marks, then calibrated the model against two known floods (1947 and 1960). By extending the annual maximum flow series back to 1866, researchers demonstrated how long-term flood frequency analysis can improve modern risk assessments. This approach highlights the importance of historical records in refining flood defense planning.
Reconstructing a hydraulic model for historic flood levels in the city of Bath, United Kingdom
A hydraulic model reconstructing historic flood levels in Bath, UK, demonstrates that documentary evidence of past floods can significantly reduce uncertainty in contemporary flood risk assessments. The study, focusing on the River Avon, leveraged a rich record of 19th-century to present-day flood marks, maps, photographs, and newspaper articles to numerically reconstruct the 1960 flood event—a catalyst for Bath's current flood protection scheme. By comparing this model with a simple Manning equation approach, researchers found that hydraulic modeling offers more accurate estimates of design flood flows, thereby improving future risk predictions. Sensitivity analyses further assessed uncertainties in water levels during extreme events, highlighting the potential of historical data to enhance flood defense strategies.
Fairytale authenticity: historic city tourism, Harry Potter, medievalism and the magical gaze
A novel form of experiential authenticity emerges when tourists engage with medieval heritage through the lens of fairytales, particularly modern fantasy franchises like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. This 'heritage marvellous' enhances the imaginative authentication of historic cities by blending magical-historical elements in their streetscapes—such as wizarding shops—and monumental architecture. The study employed visual methodology to analyze 14 medieval cities, including Bath, Oxford, and York, revealing how tourists serendipitously encounter a medieval-fairytalesque experience, unlocking narratives of mythology within the ordinary-extraordinary urban landscape. This research suggests that the rising popularity of fantasy genres could redefine how heritage tourism perceives authenticity.
Automotive retrofits in historic city centres and their potential effects on their walkability: a comparison of San Luis Obispo, CA, USA and Bath, England, UK
Historic city centers often face trade-offs between accommodating automotive infrastructure and preserving walkability, with parking retrofits frequently disrupting pedestrian-friendly environments. A comparison of Bath, England, and San Luis Obispo, California, reveals that Bath's stricter limits on surface parking in its historic core yield higher walkability scores than those in San Luis Obispo, where more extensive parking retrofits fragment the relationship between buildings and walkways. The study analyzed case studies, planning documents, preservation literature, and walkability indicators to quantify these effects, demonstrating how urban design choices can either enhance or diminish pedestrian accessibility in heritage areas.
A Provincial City Shows Respect : Shopping and Mourning in Bath
A unique anthropological study of the City of Bath reveals how local communities expressed grief and respect during the national mourning period for Diana, Princess of Wales. The research highlights regional variations in mourning practices, particularly through the creation of impromptu shop window shrines dedicated to Diana, which were documented on the morning of her funeral—a time when public displays were expected to peak but many people were indoors watching television. A follow-up interview a year later captured the enduring impact of these spontaneous tributes and their role in shaping communal mourning rituals. The study provides insight into local aesthetics, appropriateness norms, and the lasting social changes triggered by collective grief.
The Use of 3D Visualisation for Urban Development, Regeneration and Smart City Demonstration Projects: Bath, Buckinghamshire, and Milton Keynes
3D visualization significantly enhances urban development, regeneration, and Smart City projects by adding depth to data presentation and improving analysis. This study highlights its adaptability to project requirements, serving multiple purposes such as stakeholder communication, design evaluation, and impact assessment. Through case studies in Bath (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Buckinghamshire, and Milton Keynes, the research demonstrates how tailored 3D visualization approaches—ranging from static models to dynamic simulations—can address specific challenges like heritage conservation or infrastructure planning. The findings underscore its potential as a versatile tool for urban planning, offering clearer insights and more effective decision-making than traditional methods.
Sustainable Assessment Tool of Historic Centers: the Cases of Bath and Cambridge
A sustainable management framework is crucial for the long-term success of historic center conservation, as demonstrated by the cases of Bath and Cambridge. The study identifies that while urban conservation efforts often aim to improve social benefits and urban qualities, their effectiveness can be undermined without proper management strategies. To address this, researchers introduced an assessment tool that measures the degree of success in conserving historic centers by evaluating factors such as 'importance' and 'performance.' This approach highlights the need for a structured management framework that integrates local community feedback and authority responses to ensure sustained conservation outcomes.
An architectural analysis of the Hot Bath and Cross Bath, Bath, 1997–2003
An architectural analysis of the Hot Bath and Cross Bath in Bath, England, reveals how these significant public buildings adapted to evolving social demands while preserving their historic integrity. Designed by John Wood the Younger and Thomas Baldwin respectively, both structures exemplify the city's architectural innovation. The study, conducted between 1997 and 2003, demonstrates that strategic adjustments in circulation and division can effectively manage changing social needs without compromising the original architectural vision. This insight offers valuable lessons for the conservation of similar heritage sites.
Architects, Angels, Activists and the City of Bath, 1765–1965: engaging with women's spatial interventions in buildings and landscape
A groundbreaking analysis reveals that women significantly shaped the architectural and landscape identity of Bath from 1765 to 1965, challenging traditional narratives that credit male architects alone. Cynthia Hammond's research, rooted in her PhD thesis, highlights how female activists, architects, and angelic figures influenced urban development through spatial interventions—ranging from building designs to public spaces. The study employs a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating architectural history with gender studies, to uncover these overlooked contributions. By examining Bath’s built environment, Hammond demonstrates that women were pivotal in defining the city's aesthetic and functional evolution, offering new perspectives on heritage conservation and urban planning.
Spontaneous Cities
A rapid and unprecedented urbanization occurred in Britain between 1740 and 1850, driven by industrial growth and population increase. Contrary to expectations of 'unchecked growth,' this period saw the spontaneous development of cities without extensive top-down planning, resulting in successful housing provision and architectural achievements like those in Bath, London, and Edinburgh. The study highlights how voluntary urbanization processes can effectively meet demands, offering insights into historical and contemporary urban development dynamics.
Street Performance and the City
Street performances in Bath, UK, significantly alter the everyday experience of public spaces by creating fleeting moments of sociality and conviviality. These performances, often aimed at eliciting donations from passersby, intervene in the city's sociospatial dynamics, fostering spontaneous interactions that contrast with routine urban life. However, they also occupy a contentious position, sparking debates around increased regulation and their impact on public space. The study draws on ethnographic observations to explore these dual aspects—highlighting both the positive social outcomes and the regulatory challenges faced by street performers in heritage cities like Bath.
Brief encounters
A significant relationship between temporal factors and network structure in urban mobility patterns was identified through advanced analysis of Bluetooth data. The study, conducted in the city of Bath, UK, utilized a longitudinal dataset comprising millions of records from over 70,000 unique devices. Researchers developed a toolkit of algorithms and visualization techniques to model spatial and temporal patterns of movement, presence, and encounter. This innovative approach sheds light on how time influences the structure of urban networks, offering insights that could inform the design and implementation of urban pervasive computing systems.
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