Xiaofan Liang

Xiaofan Liang is an Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. She is an affiliated faculty member with the UM Center for the Study of Complex Systems and the Michigan Institute for Data & AI in Society.

• Education
  • PhD in City and Regional Planning (2023), Georgia Institute of Technology
  • BSc in Computational Science (2019), Minerva University
  • BA in Sociology (2015), University of California – Berkeley

Her research focuses on fostering inclusive urban networks and enabling participatory planning through urban analytics. Key themes include:

• Network infrastructure (transportation/social) as dual forces of inclusion/exclusion
• Role of data, technology, and AI in transforming planning practices

Her work draws from network science, complex systems, and critical participatory GIS to address equity in urban systems. Publications span journals like Journal of Planning Education and Research, Computer, Environment and Urban Systems, and Transactions in GIS.

She teaches courses such as Urban Networks, Urban AI, and Planning Methods. She is actively seeking PhD students in Urban AI and Urban Network Systems (application cycle for Fall 2026).