Wendy Guan Zhen Tan

Wendy Guan Zhen Tan is a Professor of Spatial Planning at the Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), and holds a University Lecturer position at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Her work centers on sustainable mobility and inclusive, just planning to create equitable urban environments through interdisciplinary research bridging European and Asian urban design contexts.

Her research integrates digital quantitative tools (GIS/SSx) with ethnographic and social psychological methods, emphasizing mobility justice and inclusive design for marginalized communities. As leader of the Sustainable Mobility and Transport Planning Group (SUSMOB), she develops practical frameworks for policymakers while addressing transport policy and spatial planning intersections.

Recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on justice metrics in spatial planning, sustainable mobility transitions in Global South contexts like Jakarta, and innovative technical applications including drone path planning and urban digital twins. Her work systematically translates theoretical insights into implementable tools for societal stakeholders.

Professor Tan directs multiple EU-funded projects (JUST STREETS, MobileWorlds, ARTEMIS), collaborating with municipalities and community organizations to develop mobility justice indices and car-free urban planning solutions. Her teaching employs research-oriented, problem-based learning through real-world projects with Bergen municipality, using adaptive techniques and digital tools to enhance student engagement in courses like MOA256 (Theory of Science) and MOA270 (Urban Form).

The SUSMOB research group under her leadership actively transforms academic insights into actionable strategies for industrial and political stakeholders, with ongoing work on human-centered mobility solutions and community-driven urban design initiatives in partnership with Bergen municipality.