top of page

Research + Consultancy

Explore our latest international research in sustainability, public space and heritage. 

Rethinking Sustainability in Public Art Commissions.jpg

Authored by Kat Pegler and Helen Kearney of Kerbside Collective for the Global Cultural Districts Network, this new report asks the central question: ‘how can public art projects be made more sustainable?”

 

The report reveals how cultural districts across the world are emerging as vital agents of change in the move towards creating works that promote climate resilience.

Out in the Open: Rethinking Sustainability in Public Art Commissions | GCDN|  Published September 2025

Discover our Heritage Sector Net Zero Projects Audit, commissioned by the Historic Environment Forum. Featuring insights from major heritage organisations including the Church of England, Historic England, the National Trust, Holkham Estate, and Historic Norfolk, the report highlights both the challenges and opportunities on the path to net zero. From funding gaps and specialist skills needs to inspiring case studies of best practice, it maps out how the sector can take bold, practical steps toward a more sustainable future.

Heritage Sector Net Zero Projects Audit | Historic Environment Forum | December 2024
heritage sector net zero projects audit.png
Sustainability Report.jpg

This landmark report for the City of London Corporation with the support of the Global Cultural Districts Network explores how cultural districts can embed sustainable development practices in their work and by extension, in our cities. Authored and designed by Kat Pegler and Helen Kearney of Kerbside Collective.

Sustainable Development in Cultural Districts | Culture Mile + City of London Corporation | 2022

Kerbside contributed a chapter to the recent Routledge publication, the Handbook of Urban Cultural Planning (2024), entitled, Sustainable Development in Cultural Districts, a Research Report Exploring Practices of Ten Cities around the World, by Helen Kearney. 

​

The chapter is an insightful contribution to the book which is a practical guide for culture-led urban planning, using case studies from around the world. We would encourage all culture and planning professionals, teachers and students to use this incredible resource. 

Routledge Handbook of Urban Cultural Planning | 2024
route.png
Adapting to cc .png

From October 2024 to April 2025 Kerbside Collective facilitated the Adapting to the Climate Crisis Workgroup for members in cultural districts across Jamaica, the USA, Canada and the UK. We identified this as a key method for international knowledge transfer.

Adapting to the Climate Crisis Workgroup| Global Cultural Districts Network |
2024-25

Kat was lead convening rapporteur for the annual global cultural districts network convening in Athens. Reporting on upcoming trends, difficulties and opportunities in the international arts and culture sector.

Annual Convening Report Athens | Global Cultural Districts Network | 2024
Screenshot 2024-08-09 135141.png
eco articism.png

This report won the Warden's Climate Award in 2023. Through fieldwork with Greenpeace at Glastonbury Festival, it explore the role of art in climate change communication and the power of collective action in addressing eco-anxiety.

Eco- Artivism in the UK's Climate Emergency | Goldsmiths University | 2023

Kat was lead convening rapporteur for the annual global cultural districts network convening in Montreal. Reporting on upcoming trends, difficulties and opportunities in the international arts and culture sector.

Annual Convening Report Montreal | Global Cultural Districts Network | 2023
annual convening montreal.png
creatives for london.png

Commissioned by the City of London, this research report written by Kat Pegler explores the value of having creatives in teams working on built environment projects. Drawing on four case studies, the report developed an understanding of the value of having a cultural or creative person within a built environment project team, identifying benefits and any lessons learnt that would contribute towards a best practice approach. 

Creatives for London | Culture Mile + Creative Land Trust | 2021

We conduct research with organisations around the world. If you are interested in working with us please get in touch.

Want to work together?
Image by Héctor J. Rivas

​

bottom of page