Cities face growing challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, and declining connections with nature. Project REPAIR explores how biophilic living, which integrates nature into the places where we live, work, and move through cities, can help urban areas adapt while improving wellbeing, strengthening communities, and supporting ecological recover. The project aims to develop evidence-based and replicable pathways for urban adaptation and retrofit, helping transform existing buildings and neighbourhoods into healthier and more resilient environments.
Through a transdisciplinary and collaborative approach, REPAIR brings together expertise from the arts, humanities, sciences, and professional practice. Our research team includes specialists in design, architecture, creative writing, literature, history, law, anthropology, psychology, and ecology alongside societal partners working in social housing, construction, urban-nature restoration, and green infrastructure. Working closely with communities and local and international partners across health, government, the arts, and economic development, the project explores the cultural, social, and practical factors that encourage or prevent the adoption of biophilic living, helping to identify pathways for meaningful and lasting change.
At the heart of Project REPAIR is BIOME Swansea, the retrofit of a former Woolworths building into a community-centred, mixed-use biophilic development, incorporating social housing, community spaces, and nature-integrated design.
BIOME provides a unique real-word laboratory for studying nature-based urban transformation.
Key insights include:
- Urban retrofitting in practice: Transforming existing buildings with nature-based design
- Social and ecological value: Benefits for people, communities, and nature
- Opportunities and challenges: Practical lessons in delivering biophilic interventions at scale
- Community engagement: How people experience, shape, and benefit from biophilic environments over time
BIOME demonstrates both evidence-based research and a public showcase of what biophilic urban living can look like in practice.
As part of its research, Project REPAIR is piloting a Team Convening approach that supports collaborative leadership, inclusive governance, shared development, and reflexive practice. This model helps diverse teams work effectively across disciplines and sectors, strengthening transdisciplinary research and collaboration between researchers, practitioners, and community partners.
Learn more about the Team Convening approach: Thrive at University of Liverpool
Below are the co-leads and key members who guide and deliver the research:
Research Co-Leads
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Luci Attala, University of Wales Trinity St David (Anthropology & deputy director of UNESCO-MOST Bridges, UK) Kirsti Bohata, Swansea University (English Literature) Blanche Cameron, UCL (Bartlett School of Architecture, Nature-based solutions) Becky Cole, Codi Group (Social Housing) Carwyn Davies & Lucy Ralph, Hacer Developments Ltd (Construction) Nia Davies, Swansea University (Creative Writing) Mike Fowler, Swansea University (Biosciences) |
Penny Gruffydd, City and County of Swansea Council (Landscape and Green Infrastructure) Victoria Jenkins, Swansea University (Hilary Rodham School of Law) Andrew Kemp, Swansea University (Psychology) Gethin Matthews, Swansea University (History) Chris Pak, Swansea University (English Literature/Media) Geoff Proffitt, Swansea University, (Biosciences) Yolanda Rendón-Guerrero, University of Wales Trinity St David (Architecture/ATiC) Fran Rolfe, Natural Resources Wales (Green Infrastructure) |
Research Assistants and Academic Associate Researchers
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Dr Martyna Surma, REPAIR Research Assistant, Swansea University Dr Lowri Wilkie, WGSSS ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Psychology, Swansea University Dr Amy Isham, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, Swansea University Dr Lymarie Rodriguez-Morales, Lecturer in Psychology, University of Wales Trinity St David |
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Project Partners and International Advisory Board
Project REPAIR is supported by an International Advisory Board and a diverse network of partners across academia, industry, government, and community organisations. Together, these collaborations help ensure that the project's research and insights are practical, relevant, and scalable, supporting the wider adoption of biophilic living.
Project Partners
REPAIR works with organisations across sectors to explore how biophilic approaches can support healthier, more resilient urban environments.
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Eco-Schemes, Gary Grant European Federation of Green Roof and Living Wall Associations (EFB) Future Generations Commissioner for Wales |
International Advisory Board
The International Advisory Board brings together leading experts from research, policy, design, ecology, health, and the built environment to provide strategic guidance and international perspective.
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Dr Amy Brookes Associate Professor, University of Reading School of Architecture Jane Davidson Pro Vice-Chancellor Emeritus, University of Wales Trinity Saint David and former Minister for Environment, Sustainability, and Housing in the Welsh Government. Vera Enzi NBS consultant and Vice President, EFB, European Federation of Green Roof and Living Wall Associations Kenneth Freeman Purposeful Places, interior landscaping and biophilic design Dusty Gedge Ambassador – EFB, European Federation of Green Roof and Living Wall Associations, The Green roof organisation (UK trade body) Gary Grant Technical Director, The Green Infrastructure Company Professor Carolyn Hales Cardiff Met & UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded Policy Research Fellow at Cadw (2023-25) |
Kate Howell Legal Director, Browne Jacobson Dr Fredrik Lindencrona Head of Research Co-Creation, Inner Development Goals Steve Nygren Board Chair, The Biophilic Institute and Founder, Serenbe Professor Eric Otto Chair, Department of Integrated Studies, Professor of Environmental Humanities, Florida Gulf Coast University Professor Joanne Patterson Professorial Research Fellow, Director of Research, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University Professor Kam W. Tang Professor of Biology and Department Chair of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Louise Wright Portfolio Manager, Arts Council of Wales |
What We Will Produce
Over the course of the project, REPAIR we will generate a range of outputs designed to support biophilic living, including:
- Evidence-based frameworks for biophilic retrofitting
- Methods to evaluate social, cultural, and ecological value in the built environment
- Case studies and design principles from the BIOME Swansea
- Policy-relevant insights for local and national decision-makers
- Creative outputs, community stories, and public engagement materials
- A tested model for transdisciplinary team convening
These outputs will be shared openly to support the wider adoption of biophilic living across the UK and beyond.
Get InvolvedREPAIR is a collaborative project bringing together communities, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. There are many ways to get involved, including:
If you would like to get in touch with the team or learn more about upcoming opportunities, please contact us: Email: REPAIR@swansea.ac.uk |
