David Mathewson

David Mathewson serves as Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Urban Design Course Leader at the University of Westminster's School of Architecture and Cities, a position held since 2012. His academic leadership spans MA, Diploma, and Certificate pathways while directing the International Planning Spatial Planning Pathway. As an active researcher within the Max Lock Centre, he bridges scholarly inquiry with international development practice through partnerships with the World Bank, DFID, and Australian Foreign Affairs.

Dr. Mathewson's educational foundation includes:

• PhD in Urban Studies, University of Westminster (2024)
• MA International Planning + Sustainable Development, University of Westminster (2011)
• MA Housing + Urbanism, Architectural Association (2005)
• BSc Architecture, University of Texas at Arlington (2001)

His research critically examines how historic planning policies shape urban form in flood-prone contexts, with Jakarta serving as primary case study. Through historic institutionalist and morphological methodologies, he analyzes spatial development patterns using GIS mapping and typological studies. Current work extends to post-industrial waterfronts, tall building proliferation in London, and post-conflict urban reconnection.

Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on Southeast Asian urban challenges (40% of output), flood resilience frameworks (30%), and Global North comparative studies (20%), with strong emphasis on practical policy implications. His 2018-2025 output demonstrates growing international recognition through fieldwork-funded scholarship.

Key recognitions include:

• Globally Engaged Research Scholarship (awarded 2016, 2021-2023)
• QHT Small Grant £10,000 for Rwanda community project (2024)
• QHT Medium Grant £25,000 for Rwanda cooperative (2025)

Dr. Mathewson maintains active supervision of doctoral candidates while leading three major funded projects across Africa. His consultancy portfolio demonstrates strong government and multilateral agency engagement, with current work focusing on community-driven slum upgrading and sustainable land development. The Max Lock Centre provides essential infrastructure for his international fieldwork and collaborative workshops.

His research lab operates through the Max Lock Centre's community engagement framework, facilitating biannual international workshops in Turkey, Indonesia, and Brazil. Current projects emphasize participatory design processes in Rwandan and Tanzanian communities, with strong emphasis on locally adapted solutions for informal settlements and agricultural development.