Co-mapping future scenarios and uncertainties amid climate crisis: A collective study of coastal towns and the Port of Tyne

This study investigates the transformative potential of post-industrial coastal towns surrounding the Port of Tyne by integrating the values and priorities of local communities. Focusing on underutilised brownfield sites, it develops innovative regeneration strategies that address entrenched regional disparities rooted in historical inequalities, political instability and policy inertia. By analysing the evolving role of the port within the energy system, and situating the coastal communities within the broader context of energy transition policies, this research develops a conceptual framework centred on socio-ecological transition. This framework underpins a series of participatory planning interventions, comprising walking ethnographies, participatory GIS, scenario building in shaping alternative urban futures, and strategy mapping to facilitate the desired systemic shift. The resulting strategies are consolidated into a practical regeneration toolkit designed for strategic sites across South Tyneside and North Tyneside. The Port of Tyne and its surrounding communities provide an in-depth case study, demonstrating how various actors can influence the development of an energy-inclusive port-urban environment. Importantly, the research reveals how local narratives, imbued with emotional and experiential dimensions, challenge and reframe dominant policy discourses, asserting the legitimacy of lived knowledge in planning processes. The research contributes a replicable model for inclusive and equitable renewal, offering actionable insights for other coastal and post-industrial regions. It advocates for policy and investment mechanisms that prioritise community resilience and agency, ensuring that the energy transition is both sustainable and socially inclusive.