Kristen Zhao

Dr. Kristen Zhao is a Lecturer at the Manchester School of Architecture, Manchester Metropolitan University, and a core member of the Complexity, Planning and Urbanism (CPU) Lab. Her work bridges urban planning theory and data analytics to foster sustainable urban futures through innovative approaches to urban design and mobility.

Her academic background includes:

• PhD in Urban Planning and Design from The University of Hong Kong (awarded with Outstanding Rating, Top 5%)
• Master in Urban Spatial Analytics from the University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Zhao's research focuses on tactical urbanism and urban experimentation, with particular expertise in street-level interventions, walkability metrics, and pandemic-responsive urban design. Her work combines design thinking with data analytics and programming to develop evidence-based approaches for sustainable urban development. She has pioneered methods for evaluating urban environments through three-dimensional pedestrian networks rather than traditional road networks, revealing significant differences in walkability assessments.

Analysis of her recent publications shows a strong focus on street experiments as tools for urban transformation, with particular attention to learning processes among urban practitioners. Her work spans multiple continents, examining urban mobility transitions in contexts ranging from Hong Kong to cities worldwide during the pandemic. Key themes include the implementation challenges of tactical urbanism, the role of leadership in urban experimentation, and the development of geospatial databases for comparative urban analysis.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Outstanding Rating (Top 5%) for PhD dissertation on urban experimentation

As a core member of the Complexity, Planning and Urbanism (CPU) Lab, Dr. Zhao contributes to interdisciplinary research on sustainable urban futures. Her work on pandemic-induced street experiments has created valuable datasets for global comparative analysis of tactical urbanism practices. She has received research support for projects examining the relationship between urban form, mobility patterns, and public health outcomes.

Dr. Zhao is actively involved with the Complexity, Planning and Urbanism (CPU) Lab, where she applies her expertise in data analytics and urban design to develop innovative approaches for understanding and improving urban environments. Her lab work focuses on creating evidence-based tools for urban practitioners and policymakers.