Newcastle-Pittsburgh: Post-Coal Cities and the Future

Dr Jason Luger

Project Lead

Geography and Environmental Sciences

Email: jason.luger@northumbria.ac.uk   

Project Themes

Resilience & Sustainability

Democracy & Governance

Understanding the Challenge

Coal is an integral part of the history of Newcastle, as is the case for Pittsburgh in Western Pennsylvania. Understanding the differences and similarities of cities that transition from coal to technology-driven, green futures can inform future urban development in regions across the world. 

Our Approach

This project aims to compare the post-coal transitions of Newcastle upon Tyne, in the UK, and Pittsburgh, in the USA, two regions of similar populations (2+ million) which have both seen similar trajectories of coal mining shifting to advanced industry, research, and technology. The project will bring together collaborators from each region to explore how post-coal urban regions can make just, democratic and sustainable transitions from coal histories to the future and how regions can learn from each other. 

Key Outcomes

• Network meeting in New York in April 2024; plans for continued network and subsequent cross-council grant development (funders to be confirmed).

• Publication outcome: Dialogues in Urban Research (June 2024) Issue, with forum piece and commentaries from other network members (Tilman Schwarze Glasgow; Michael Glass, Pittsburgh; Jay Emery, Lincoln; James Pattison, Lincoln; June Wang, Hong Kong; Jason Hackworth, Toronto).