Professor Andrew Smith

I am an interdisciplinary Professor of Urban Experiences: I led the Sustainable Cities and the Urban Environment Research Community 2021-2024. Previously, I was the PhD co-ordinator for the School of Architecture + Cities (2018-2021). I have been at the University of Westminster since 2004. Previously, I held lectureships at the University of Kent (2003-4) and at Sheffield Hallam University (1999-2003). I read Geography at Cambridge University in the mid 1990s and then moved to Sheffield where I studied for a PhD in a programme of research entitled 'Reimaging the City'. This PhD was funded jointly by both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield.

I have written on various themes, but there are three main strands to my work. 

The first relates to the management of city parks and urban green spaces. I have published multiple papers, reports and chapters that analyse the ways parks and green spaces are used as event venues; and have generated impact via contributions to media articles, design consultations and government inquires. 

A second strand is events, in particular their role as tools for the regeneration and revitalisation of cities. I am particularly interested in the way events affect public spaces and I was one of the principal investigators on the HERA funded project: Festivals, events and inclusive public space in Europe. I am the co-editor of 'Festivals and the City: the Contested Geographies of Urban Events' - an open access book published by the University of Westminster Press in 2022. My first book 'Events and Urban Regeneration' was published by Routledge in 2012 and my second 'Events in the City: Using Public Spaces as Event Venues' was published by Routledge in 2016. 

The third strand is my work on urban tourism, especially the role of iconic projects and monumental urbanism in tourism. This work is focused mainly on UK cities, but I have also published research on Oslo, Barcelona and Valletta. I am the co-editor of 'Destination London: The Expansion of the Visitor Economy' - an open access book published by the University of Westminster Press in 2019. 

I have published in a wide range of leading journals including: The Geographical Journal, Environment and Planning A, Urban Studies, European Planning Studies, European Urban and Regional Studies, Landscape Research, Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Management and Tourism Geographies. My research has been submitted to successive RAE / REF exercises; and my work on events was submitted as an individual case study for the 2021 REF (to Unit 13).

For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.