Overview
Background
I am an Associate Professor of urban planning. Since joining the University of Queensland in 2015, my research has focused on the built environment triad: urban design, transport, and housing - in both the Global North and South. I approach my work from a feminist perspective, considering the role of gender in the city.
My personal and academic journey has been international in nature. I am a native of Albania. Over the years I have held guest teaching and/or research positions in Austria (UWien), Canada (UBC), Chile (PUC), Italy (IUAV), the Netherlands (UvA), Oman (GUTech), and Vietnam (UTC), and I have provided consultancy services to various United Nations agencies including the UNDP, UNESCAP, and UN Habitat. I speak Italian, Spanish, and French in addition to English and Albanian.
My latest books are Trophy Cities: A Feminist Perspective on New Capitals (Edward Elgar, 2021), Alternative Planning History and Theory (Routledge, 2023), Planning as Political Theatre: Chronicle of Two Megaprojects Foretold (Routledge, 2025), and Early Planning Utopias: A Feminist Critique (Anthem Press, 2025). For five consecutive years (2021-2025), I have been included in the 'Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Researchers' list, and have ranked among the top-ten 'urban and regional planning' researchers in Australia. Alongside my academic research, I also publish broadly in non-academic outlets and regularly give interviews on national and international media. My articles in The Conversation have reached more than 600,000 readers. Prior to joining academia, I worked in urban design and planning in California. My research has been funded by domestic and international granting bodies, including the Australian Research Council. I have attracted more than $1 millon in grant funding.
My funded projects are listed below. For a full list of my publications, click the 'Works' tab, which displays results live from UQ eSpace, or visit my external profiles listed on the left panel.
Qualifications
- Postdoctoral Residency, Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft, the Netherlands. 2012-2014.
- PhD in Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tirana, Albania. 2007-2010.
- Visiting PhD student, University of California at Los Angeles, Luskin School of Public Affairs, Los Angeles, Ca, USA. 2009.
- Master in Urban Planning, University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning, Cincinnati, Oh, USA. Full scholarship award. 2003-2005.
- Visiting Master student, Catholic University of Leuven, Faculty of Architecture (St Lucas), Brussels, Belgium. Recipient of US government FIPSE grant. 2004.
- Professional Degree in Architecture, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tirana, Albania. 1998-2003.
Availability
- Dr Dorina Pojani is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Urban Transport in Developing Countries, Polytechnic University of Tirana
- Master of Community Planning, University of Cincinnati
Research interests
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Feminist planning
This is not a product but a lens through which I examine urban design, transport, and housing.
Research impacts
Funded Projects*
2026-2027. Project: Study of e-mobility usage across Queensland. Transport Academic Partnership, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Australia. Grant co-writer ($100,000).
2026-2027. Project: Building a dynamic demand forecast tool for shared electric micromobility. UQ Knowledge Exchange and Translation (Kx&T) Fund, Australia. Grant co-writer ($55,500).
2025-2026. Project: Closing the loop on first/last mile transportation in Brisbane: Assessing the connection between micromobility and 50 cent public transport fares. iMove CRC, Brisbane City Council, Australia. Grant co-writer ($100,000).
2025. Project: Diaspora 4Innovation: Integrating work practice in urban planning curricula in Albania. GERMIN Fellowship, Albania. Lead grant writer ($18,500).
2023-2025. Project: Evaluation of separated cycle tracks in new developments. Transport Academic Partnership, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Australia. Sole grant writer ($100,000).
2023. Project: A gendered critique of early planned utopian cities. School of Architecture, Design and Planning Seed Funding, University of Queensland, Australia. Grant co-writer ($3,000).
2023-2025. Project: Study of factors associated with the choice of private electric transport vehicles in Vietnam. National Foundation for Science and Technology (NAFOSTED), Vietnam. Grant co-writer ($50,000).
2023-2024. Project: The woman-friendly city: Case studies of post-industrial areas in Tirana. READ Fellowship, Albanian-American Development Foundation, Albania. Lead grant writer ($17,000).
2022. Project: Minimising corruption in urban planning and development: What can the Balkans learn from Scandinavia? UQ Promoting Women Fellowship (PWF), Australia. Sole grant writer ($12,500).
2022. Project: We don’t know where to go or how to get there: Mapping out the mobility needs for tourists in urban destinations. UQ BEL Connect Grant, Australia. Grant co-writer ($18,500).
2021-2022. Project: The impact of Covid-19 on Brisbane / Southeast Queensland. UQ Faculty of Science COVID Research Recovery Fund, Australia. Lead grant writer ($50,000).
2021-2022. Project: Bikeability for transportation: Tools and data for research and practice. AURIN grant, Australia. Grant co-writer ($135,600).
2017-2020. Project: Reclaiming lost ground: Transitions of mobility and parking. Australian Research Council, Linkage grant, Australia. Grant co-writer ($358,000).
2016. Project: Planning Tiger Cub city-regions: Role models and policy transfers in sustainable transport in Southeast Asia. Project based in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. UQ Early Career Researcher grant, Australia. Sole grant writer ($26,150).
2015-2017. Project: Urban planning issues in planned capital cities in seven countries: Burma, India, Korea, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Brazil, and Australia. UQ Startup grant, Australia. Sole grant writer ($15,000).
2014-2015. Project: Informal Housing in five Balkan countries: Serbia, Northern Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo. Grant from: Van Eesteren-Fluck & Van Lohuizen Stichting (EFL) Foundation, The Netherlands. Sole grant writer ($15,000).
Editorial Boards
- Sustainable Cities and Society
- Journal of Transport Geography
- Australian Planner
- Urban Policy and Research
- Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice
- Journal of Planning Education and Research
Works
Search Professor Dorina Pojani’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
Keep the children walking: active school travel in Tirana, Albania
Pojani, Dorina and Boussauw, Kobe (2014). Keep the children walking: active school travel in Tirana, Albania. Journal of Transport Geography, 38, 55-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.05.012
2014
Journal Article
Ideas, Interests, and Institutions: Explaining Dutch Transit-Oriented Development Challenges
Pojani, Dorina and Stead, Dominic (2014). Ideas, Interests, and Institutions: Explaining Dutch Transit-Oriented Development Challenges. Environment and Planning A, 46 (10), 2401-2418. doi: 10.1068/a130169p
2014
Journal Article
Urban design, ideology, and power: use of the central square in Tirana during one century of political transformations
Pojani, Dorina (2014). Urban design, ideology, and power: use of the central square in Tirana during one century of political transformations. Planning Perspectives, 30 (1), 67-94. doi: 10.1080/02665433.2014.896747
2014
Book Chapter
Women's issues/gender issues
Pojani, Dorina (2014). Women's issues/gender issues. Encyclopedia of Transportation: Social Science and Policy. (pp. 1731-1734) edited by Mark Garrett. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications. doi: 10.4135/9781483346526.n605
2014
Book Chapter
Bus rapid transit, design and engineering of
Pojani, Dorina (2014). Bus rapid transit, design and engineering of. Encyclopedia of Transportation: Social Science and Policy. (pp. 321-325) edited by Mark Garrett. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: Sage Publications. doi: 10.4135/9781483346526.n119
2013
Journal Article
Pushtimi i Tiranës nga automjetet: Si do të çlirohemi?
Pojani, Dorina (2013, 01 01). Pushtimi i Tiranës nga automjetet: Si do të çlirohemi? Mjedisi Sot 12-13.
2013
Journal Article
Contemporary issues in architecture and urban design education: findings from 1-ICAUD
Pojani, Dorina (2013). Contemporary issues in architecture and urban design education: findings from 1-ICAUD. Urbanismul: serie noua.
2013
Journal Article
From squatter settlement to suburb: the transformation of Bathore, Albania
Pojani, Dorina (2013). From squatter settlement to suburb: the transformation of Bathore, Albania. Housing Studies, 28 (6), 805-821. doi: 10.1080/02673037.2013.760031
2012
Conference Publication
Noise pollution management issues in Tirana, the capital of Albania
Pojani, Dorina (2012). Noise pollution management issues in Tirana, the capital of Albania. International Conference on Urban Planning and Regional Development in the Information Society, Vienna, Austria, 14-16 May 2012.
2012
Journal Article
Urban Planning Education in a Democracy with a Market Economy: Learning Economic, Political and Social Skills
Pojani, Dorina (2012). Urban Planning Education in a Democracy with a Market Economy: Learning Economic, Political and Social Skills. International Journal of Arts and Sciences.
2012
Journal Article
Si zgjidhet makthi i trafikut në Tiranë?
Pojani, Dorina (2012, 01 01). Si zgjidhet makthi i trafikut në Tiranë? Revista Java
2011
Journal Article
Hammer and cycle: cycling post communism
Pojani, Dorina (2011). Hammer and cycle: cycling post communism. Cycling Mobility (4), 18-21.
2011
Other Outputs
Europa mbi biçikleta, Tirana në makina
Pojani, Dorina (2011, 09 08). Europa mbi biçikleta, Tirana në makina Shekulli
2011
Journal Article
Tirana është e qytetarëve, jo e makinave
Pojani, Dorina (2011, 09 06). Tirana është e qytetarëve, jo e makinave ResPublica
2011
Journal Article
Mobility, equity and sustainability today in Tirana
Pojani, Dorina (2011). Mobility, equity and sustainability today in Tirana. Tema: Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, 4 (2), 99-109.
2011
Journal Article
From carfree to carfull: the environmental and health impacts of increasing private motorisation in Albania
Pojani, Dorina (2011). From carfree to carfull: the environmental and health impacts of increasing private motorisation in Albania. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 54 (3), 319-335. doi: 10.1080/09640568.2010.506076
2011
Conference Publication
Tirana, Albania: from car‐free and bicycle‐full to car‐full and bicycle Free
Pojani, Dorina (2011). Tirana, Albania: from car‐free and bicycle‐full to car‐full and bicycle Free. Velo-City, Seville, Spain, 23-25 March 2011.
2011
Book
TRAFIK! Pushtimi i Tiranës nga automjetet (dhe si të çlirohemi)
Pojani, Dorina (2011). TRAFIK! Pushtimi i Tiranës nga automjetet (dhe si të çlirohemi). Tirana, Albania: Epoka University Press.
2011
Journal Article
Urban and suburban retail development in Albania's capital after socialism
Pojani, Dorina (2011). Urban and suburban retail development in Albania's capital after socialism. Land Use Policy, 28 (4), 836-845. doi: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2011.02.001
2011
Conference Publication
Urban sprawl and weak regional transport in “Durana”
Pojani, Dorina and Pojani, Elona (2011). Urban sprawl and weak regional transport in “Durana”. Regional Science Conference with International Participation, Peja, Kosovo, 3-4 June 2011. Zenica, Bosna i Hercegovina:
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Dorina Pojani is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Information for prospective students
Email inquiries are welcome. Prior to emailing me, please take a look at the HDR entry requirements on our planning program site: uq-urbanplanning.org/rhd-research. I am a feminist urban planner. For context: Feminist planning is not a product but a lens through which I examine urban design, transport, and housing. I encourage you to propose original topics in my areas of expertise. I am particularly interested in projects which are international and comparative in nature, and can help you refine your ideas. All topics can be adjusted to suit a PhD, Master, or Honours project.
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Past and current research (HDR) Supervision (PhD and MPhil)
- Els Leclercq [completed, associate]
- Roja Gholamhosseini [completed, principal]
- Annie McCabe [completed, principal]
- Renuka Bhoge [completed, principal]
- Deti Kusmalawati [completed, associate]
- Fahimeh Khalaj [completed, principal]
- Tigor Panjaitan [completed, principal]
- Melissa Hensley [completed, principal]
- Tmnit Hailu [completed, associate]
- Ksenia Nikolaeva [completed, associate]
- Nirma Yossa [completed, principal]
- Weichang Kong [completed, principal]
- Paula Grant [principal]
- Sufian Almubarak [principal]
- Krismiyati Tasrin [principal]
- Amjad Hossain Reyad [principal]
- Nadia Zaini [principal]
- Xuanbo Liu [associate]
- Abolghasem Azhdari [associate]
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Esteem and recognition
2023: Nominated for UQ Research Culture Award, category 5: Supporting career development for researchers (EMCR)
2022: Shortlisted for UQ Award for Excellence in Higher Degree Research (HDR) Training
2020: SEES Most Impassioned Teacher Award
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Teaching experience
The University of Queensland
- Planning Theory (PLAN4001 / PLAN7120) – Lecturer & Coordinator [Highly Commended course by AESOP]
- Transport Planning (PLAN2100 / PLAN7116) – Lecturer & Coordinator [Dean’s Commendation for Excellent Teaching, 2020 and 2021]
- History of the Built Environment (PLAN2005) – Lecturer & Coordinator
- Citymaking: Theory and Practice (PLAN4001 / PLAN7120) – Lecturer
Internationally
- Theory and Models of Spatial Development (Oman)
- Sustainable urban transportation and mobility (Austria)
- Regional development studio (The Netherlands)
- Urban design studio (Albania)
- Housing systems / Informal settlement processes (Albania)
- Introduction to urban planning (Albania)
- Urban anthropology (Albania)
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Active transport and gender issues: A comparison between Brisbane and Sylhet
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
-
Doctor Philosophy
Are car-free lifestyles feasible in low-density, sprawling contexts? A comparison of a city in Australia and Saudi Arabia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reconstructing A Gender Perspective Approach for a Sustainable New Capital City
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
-
Doctor Philosophy
Active Citizenship in planning scheme implementation : A case study into how members of a community engage in the development assessment process in Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Neil Sipe
-
Doctor Philosophy
Housing affordability issues in Malaysia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
-
Doctor Philosophy
Digital Deconcentration and the Changing Face of American Cities: Examining the Effects of Working from Home on Post-pandemic Urbanisation.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Sigler
-
Doctor Philosophy
Co-Creating Urban Public Spaces in Southeast Asia: The Role of Civic Urbanisms and Participatory Practices in Crafting Socio-Ecological Sustainability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Silvia Micheli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Residents¿ perceptions of a government-initiated anti-gating policy: A study of open communities in Shanghai
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi, Dr Sara Alidoust
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and Sustainable Transport Policy Transfer: An Analysis of the Approaches in Five Western Countries and China
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Neil Sipe
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Gender, Transport and Mobility Biography in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Neil Sipe
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Healthy neighbourhood planning: investigating the evolving relationship between urban planning and public health through a path dependence lens
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Public Space Privatisation: The Experience of Indonesian Cities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sebastien Darchen
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Are cities still building highways? A comparison of Australia and Iran
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Neil Sipe
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2020
Master Philosophy
Climate sensitive urban design: a comparison between Brisbane (Australia) and Nagpur (India)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sebastien Darchen
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Placing power to the people: The Australian community renewable energy movement and place-making in framing for prefigurative collective action.
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
A Living Room in the City: The Place of Public Space in the Everyday Lives of Middle Eastern Women in Greater Brisbane
Principal Advisor
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2022
Master Philosophy
INVESTIGATING THE LEVEL OF TRAFFIC STRESS ON STREETS AND BICYCLING ROUTE PREFERENCES: A CASE STUDY ON THE CITY OF BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Pullar
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Governance Process in the Implementation of Land Acquisition Plan for Infrastructure Development in Indonesia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sonia Roitman
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Dorina Pojani directly for media enquiries about:
- affordable housing
- community
- compact cities
- cycling
- mobility
- neighbourhood design
- parking
- pedestrian areas
- public transport
- sustainability
- urban planning
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