Dr Gavan Rafferty, PhD, MSc, BA (Hons.), Pg Cert HEP, MRTPI, FHEA, is a Lecturer in Spatial Planning and Development at the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment at Ulster University. Gavan is the BSc/MSci Planning, Regeneration and Development Course Director. 

Before his lectureship at Ulster University, Gavan had a temporary Lectureship (2007-2009) and was a Research Assistant (2005-2007) at Queen's University Belfast, and was a Development Control Officer (2004-2005) at the (then) Planning Service in Northern Ireland. Gavan is a member of the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP), a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and is past Chairperson of the RTPI Northern Ireland Branch (2009-2010).

Dr Rafferty is a member of the Research on Property and Planning (RPP) centre within the Built Environment Research Institute at Ulster University, and his research interests include:

• the interplay between community planning (integrated service delivery) and spatial planning (land use development)
• community engagement, rights and co-production in community planning and spatial planning
• inclusive and healthy planning, including the co-design of chlid-friendly and age-friendly places
• regeneration and urban governance in post-conflict societies/contested spaces
• European and cross-border spatial planning 

BelfastTHRIVES - Transformative Health and Regeneration Initiatives for Vibrancy, Equality and Sustainability

Rafferty, G., CoI, Architecture Built Environment and Planning (UoA 13)

Leavey, G., CoI, Psychology Psychiatry and Neuroscience (UoA 4)

Golden, S., PI, Architecture Built Environment and Planning (UoA 13)

Belfast City Council: £30,000.00

1/12/20 → 31/08/21

Models of spatial planning and development in a post-Brexit landscape: collaborating across external borders

Rafferty, G., Hewitt, N., Blair, N. & Mc Elduff, L.

Dept. of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Ireland: £4,989.00

1/01/17 → 31/12/18

Greater Monkstown Place Shaping Pilot

Rafferty, G. & Blair, N. (Principal Investigators)

Antrim & N'abbey Borough in collaboration with (then) PLACE: £1,500.00

1/03/17 → 28/02/20

Community Participation in Planning: Learning and Skills Framework

Rafferty, G. (Principal Investigator)

C.E.C. Erasmus+: £182,954.00

1/01/15 → 27/02/17