X. Gao

X. Gao is a Post-doctoral Researcher at the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) in Dresden, Germany, where he works on the project Circular Spaces of the Built Environment in Cities and Regions. He previously served as Assistant Professor of Urban Sociology at the Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and as a Post-doctoral Researcher at the Habitat Unit, Technical University of Berlin. His academic journey reflects strong international engagement in urban and social geography, with regional expertise in China, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. Phil.) in Urban and Architectural Sociology, Technical University of Berlin (2014–2019)
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Urban and Regional Planning, Peking University (2011–2014)
• Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Urban Planning, Tianjin University (2006–2011)

His research focuses on the sociology of space, urban transformation, and spatial planning, with particular interest in relational spatial theory, gated communities, intercity cooperation, and nighttime identity in historical cities. He applies critical realism and participatory methods to understand urban dynamics in Asian megacities.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in urban sociology and spatial planning, especially in Chinese and Southeast Asian contexts. Topics include gated communities, intercity governance, circular urban spaces, and art-world spatiality, indicating an interdisciplinary approach combining sociology, architecture, and policy analysis.

Scientific Projects and Grants:

• Urban-Rural Assembly (URA): Managing inclusive transformation-to-sustainability processes at the urban-rural interface of the Huangyan-Taizhou region in China (BMBF funded, 01LE1804A)
• Housing Regeneration and Management in Beijing (funded by National Government Offices Administration, PRC)
• Place-Making in Megacity Chengdu (funded by Chengdu Institute of Social Sciences)
• A Participatory Approach to Developing Nighttime Identity for Historical Cities in Thailand (collaboration with King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi)
• Safeguarding Ta Keo Temple in Angkor Wat (funded by Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage)

He has supervised bachelor’s and master’s theses and taught courses such as Urban and Community Studies at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Communicative Construction of Space at Technical University of Berlin. His work is supported by national and international funding agencies, reflecting strong research impact and collaboration.

He is currently involved in the ZirkuläR project at IOER, focusing on circularity in urban built environments, indicating a forward-looking research agenda on sustainable urban development and spatial transformation.