Zihao Zhang

Zihao Zhang is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Master of Landscape Architecture Program at the Spitzer School of Architecture, City College of New York (CCNY), CUNY. He holds a Ph.D. and M.L.A. from the University of Virginia (2021, 2016) and a B.Eng. from Beijing Forestry University (2013).

His research bridges design, engineering, and environmental humanities. Key areas include:

• Artificial intelligence and robotics in landscape architecture
• Cybernetic environments and post-digital design
• Climate adaptation and resilience strategies
• Urban agriculture with technological integration

He leads the Ecological Laboratory for Urban Agriculture (ELUA), which develops innovative food production systems using robotics and AI. His projects include:

• DOE-funded Climate Lighthouse Grant (2024-2027)
• CCNY College-wide Research Vision Award for "Energizing Equity" (2022-2025)
• CUNY Interdisciplinary Grant for "Synergistic Agriculture" (2022-2023)
• PSC-CUNY Research Awards for robotics and thermodynamic studies (2022-2024)

Recent publications analyze:

• AI's role in climate adaptation
• Cybernetic history and design theory
• Technodiversity in machine ecosystems
• Post-digital evidence creation
• Collaborative expertise in coastal management

Awardee of multiple research grants and active member of ASLA-NY Climate Action Committee (2023-present), Zhang combines computational methods with ecological design to address climate crisis impacts on urban environments.