Sebastian Dembski

Dr. Sebastian Dembski is a Senior Lecturer in Planning at the University of Liverpool, affiliated with the Department of Geography and Planning within the School of Environmental Sciences. He holds a PhD in Spatial Planning from the University of Amsterdam, where he also conducted postdoctoral research. His research focuses on institutional dimensions of urban transformation, particularly the interplay between symbolic communication in planning processes and underlying governance structures. Current interests include legal frameworks in sustainable urban projects and suburban densification strategies. He teaches courses on research design, strategic planning, and urban theory, coordinating modules such as 'Cities and Regions' and 'Strategic Plan Making'.

Dr. Dembski has been recognized with the Sir Peter Hall Award for Wider Engagement (Commended, 2017). His professional activities include editorial roles for Transactions of the Association of European Schools of Planning and membership in organizations like the Higher Education Academy. He leads the SUBDENSE grant (2023–2026), exploring suburban densification policies. His work spans comparative studies of European urban policies and collaborative planning in global contexts like Indonesia.

Teaching responsibilities include supervising dissertations and modules on rural planning and 'People and Place'. His publications analyze topics such as zoning systems in England, reurbanization trends, and legal challenges in densification projects. He actively engages with international urban policy debates through authored chapters and journal articles.