Elek Pafka

Elek Pafka is a Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning and Urban Design at the University of Melbourne's Melbourne School of Design, within the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. His research focuses on urban morphology, density, functional mix, and walkability, particularly in informal urban contexts. He co-edited the book Mapping Urbanities: Morphologies, Flows, Possibilities and participates in research hubs like the Informal Urbanism Research Hub (InFur-) and Transport, Health and Urban Design (THUD). His work emphasizes mapping urban dynamics, spatial inequalities, and the interplay between urban form and urban life intensity.

Key research directions include future cities, transit-oriented development (TOD), and the analysis of self-organized urban systems in cities like Dhaka and Lima. Pafka's methodologies involve spatial metrics, GIS tools (e.g., AwaP-IC), and morphogenic mapping to understand urban assemblages. His recent articles explore density typologies, informal settlements, and the spatial logic of street vending.

He holds a Senior Lecturer position and contributes to urban design pedagogy. His research bridges theory and practice, addressing global urban challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.