Nicholas Phelps

Nicholas Phelps is a Professor and Chair of Urban Planning at the Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne, and Visiting Professor at Zhejiang University, China. He previously held roles as Professor of Urban and Regional Development at University College London (UCL) and Pro Vice Provost Regional (Southeast Asia) at UCL. His expertise spans urban planning, economic geography, and international development. Phelps serves on editorial boards for journals like Economic Geography and chairs research hubs such as the Informal Urbanism Research Hub.

His research focuses on suburbanization, urban agglomeration, international planning, and the economic roles of multinational enterprises. Key areas include informality, entrepreneurship, and FDI-driven development. Phelps has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles and multiple books, including An Anatomy of Sprawl (2012) and Peripheral Centralities (2025). His work bridges theoretical and applied urban studies, emphasizing global-local dynamics.

Recent publications address China's Belt and Road Initiative, suburban development in Tokyo and Melbourne, and innovative practices in Indonesian kampung industries. Phelps collaborates with institutions globally, contributing to urban policy debates and sustainable development frameworks.