Staff Profiles

Research interest focuses on understanding people's perceptions and behaviour for the design and management of the built environment with particular interest in children and young people; processes and techniques for developing participatory urban design; urban design codes for integrating high quality contemporary architecture and urban design in conservation areas and cross-cultural urban design. She is particularly interested in researching the topics above in the context of developing countries. Laura is interested in researching how to incorporate contemporary technology and daily experiences of the built environment into the teaching and learning of urban design. Laura is also interested in pedagogic research related to the use of electronic media and the role of co-curricular activities in enhancing the student experience.

Research group membership

Urban Design

Research grants and awards

2015 and 2016 Nominated for the National Teaching Fellowship Award

2014 Students' Union Teaching Awards. Finalist in the category “Most Innovative Use of Technology", Oxford Brookes University

2012 Awarded Brookes Teaching Fellowship Oxford Brookes University

Research projects

Azevedo, L. N., de, Kiddle, R., Reeve, A. & Cooper, J. (2012, Unpublished) Sustainable housing design: understanding consumers’ preferences and market provision. A scoping research using a Q-methodology on the relationship between environmentally sustainable housing design, market expectations and consumers’ preferences in the contemporary UK context.

Further information

Brazil Urban Design Study (BUDS)

Journal articles

• Lim RM, Novo de Azevedo L, Cooper J, 'Embracing the conceptual shift on new ways of experiencing the city and learning urban design: Pedagogical methods and digital technologies'
  Journal of Urban Design 21 (5) (2015) pp.638-660
  ISSN: 1357-4809 eISSN: 1469-9664
  Abstract The innovations of the twenty-first century in digital technology and media have had major influences in the way young urbanites and future city designers think as well as experience places. In embracing this conceptual shift of how new communication technologies are changing people’s perceptions, experiences and ways of knowing the city, Oxford Brookes University continues to develop pedagogical methods which use new media in the teaching, learning and production of contemporary urban design.
   
  These methods are examined in this paper in the context of three undergraduate modules:
   
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  Taking the urban design learning experience out of the classroom and into the field using mobile lectures;
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  Using digital media in research and engaging with oral, visual and sensory experiences;
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  Developing design communication skills using video, animation, interactive PDFs and website design;
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  Bringing new perspectives to classic theoretical concepts by engaging with different media: Cullen’s Townscape from serial experiences in drawing to animated photographs and videos.
  These pedagogical innovations in experiencing, researching, designing and analyzing cityscapes have had a dramatic effect on the ability of students to transform themselves into design-aware and creative emerging practitioners. These are assessed for understanding the way students learn and the relevance of these skills for future practice.
  Website 
• Jones T, Novo De Azevedo L, 'Economic, social and cultural transformation and the role of the bicycle in Brazil'
  Journal of Transport Geography 30 (June 2013) (2013) pp.208-219
  ISSN: 0966-6923
  Abstract This paper reviews the current socio-cultural and political state of cycling in Brazil and the policies and activities over recent years that have aimed to reverse its marginalisation. In particular it focuses on the city of Pelotas in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul and the significant societal and material transformations that are causing conflict and dissonance in relation to the future role of cycling on city streets. Using a combination of empirical evidence from existing literature; a focus group with members of the cycling stakeholder forum; interviews with planning officials whilst observing cycle infrastructure; interviews with participants whilst taking part in a ‘protest' bicycle ride (bicicletada); and on street intercept interviews with cycle commuters, this paper highlights the tensions, conflicts, aspirations and imaginaries of a city grappling with significant growth and urban transformation.Website 

Rocha, E., Azevedo, L. N., Allemand, D. Hypolito, B. Tomiello, F. (2017) Cross-cult: desenho urbano/urban design - Pelotas/BR & Oxford/UK. Pelotas, UFpel, 2016. ISBN 978-85-922427-0-1

 

 

Conferences

Lim, R., Azevedo, L. N. & Cooper, J. Embracing the conceptual shift on new ways of experiencing the city and learning urban design: pedagogical methods and digital technologies, AESOP Conference, Lisbon, July 2017.

Azevedo, L, N., Rocha, E. (2016a) BrookesBUDS: impacting student learning and the development of international professional skills with real-life urban design experience in Brazil. World Planning Schools Congress 2016. 3 rd -8 th June. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Azevedo, L, N. (2016b) The experience of the city as transformative knowledge: an evaluation of the use of a mobile approach for enhancing learning and teaching in urban design. World Planning Schools Congress 2016. 3 rd -8 th June. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Azevedo, L. N.; Kurul, E.; Lim, R.; Sames, Wragg, E. (2016) Developing the ‘model office’ as an approach to interdisciplinary practice-based learning. Oxford Brookes Learning and Teaching Conference. June 2016. Oxford Brookes University, Oxford.

Azevedo, L, N. (2015) The Power of Experiential and Cross Cultural Learning for a more Responsive Practice in Urban Design. Public Lecture Series 2015-16. School of Planning and Geography at Cardiff University. 1 st December 2015. Oxford Brookes University, Oxford.

Azevedo, L, N. (2015). Experiencing Professional Practice in Academia: a proposal for a student-lecturer partnership in the School of the Built Environment. Minerva Series. 15 th December 2015. Oxford Brookes University, Oxford.

Azevedo, L. N. et al. (2015) BrookesBUDS Public Exhibition. 5 th -10 th September 2015. Inquiry Centre, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford.

Azevedo, L. N. et al. (2015). Cross-cultural Urban Design: a comparison between Oxford, UK and Pelotas, Brazil. Internationalisation of the Curriculum. April 2015. Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.

Azevedo, L. N., de, Kiddle, R., Reeve, A. & Cooper, J. (2012, Unpublished) Sustainable housing design: understanding consumers’ preferences and market provision. A scoping research using a Q-methodology on the relationship between environmentally sustainable housing design, market expectations and consumers’ preferences in the contemporary UK context.

Other experience

Before working in the UK Laura worked in Brazil teaching and consulting in architecture and urbanism. With over 10 years of practice she has mostly been involved in urban design projects developed through community participation in southern Brazil. She is an expert in the relationship between information technology and urban design issues, with a particular interest in developing strategies for integrating multimeida into the process of urban design. Her main research interests focus on environmental perception, behaviour and design, cultural heritage and urban conservation and design coding. She is particularly interested in researching with children and young people to achieve more inclusive urban environments.

Further information

twitter: lnovoaz

LinkedIn: Laura Novo de Azevedo