Port city challenges event at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

On the 28th November 2024 academics from iPACT and the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures (PCMC) networks met at the Historic Dockyards in Portsmouth to share their research interests and discuss opportunities to work together. The evocative location and proximity to the port and waterfront added to the experience and connection to the subject matter. These two networks share some common interests as well as a variety of research disciplines spanning engineering, maritime history, environment and social science. Through joint events we are creating opportunities for the researchers to meet, discuss ideas and collaborate. We heard that ports and dockyards have brought wealth and work to cities in the past but also caused depravation and environmental issues, but how can they continue to benefit modern society? A transdisciplinary research approach is becoming more common when facing challenges in cities, where sustainable solutions require many factors to be considered including people, place and finance.

infrastructure for Port cities And Coastal Towns – Prof William Powrie  

The Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures – Prof Brad Beaven and Dr Karl Bell 

Wastewater, the Cinderella of Infrastructure – Prof John Williams 

Tales of Discovery – Neil Cooper Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute 

‘war is the harvest of Portsmouth’: Discuss – Dr Ann Coats 

Port Cities: past, present & future – Dr Toby Roberts 

Women in Maritime – Dr Mel Bassett 

Following the presentations and networking lunch Dr Mel Bassett introduced the round table collaboration discussions. Themes of mutual interest were discussed including challenges faced by port cities (transport, environmental, employment & communities)