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) and Alternative Planning History and Theory (Routledge, 2023). For three years in a row (2022-2024), 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 nearly half a million 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. Overall, I have attracted $700,000 in external funding and $100,000 in internal funding. 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 impacts
Funded Projects*
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 ($50,000).
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
2022
Journal Article
The transformation of public space production and consumption in post-reformation Indonesian cities
Soaduon Panjaitan, Tigor Wilfritz, Pojani, Dorina and Darchen, Sébastien (2022). The transformation of public space production and consumption in post-reformation Indonesian cities. City, Culture and Society, 29 100444, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ccs.2022.100444
2022
Other Outputs
How not to build a capital: what Indonesia can learn from other master-planned cities’ mistakes
Pojani, Dorina (2022, 02 09). How not to build a capital: what Indonesia can learn from other master-planned cities’ mistakes The Conversation
2022
Book Chapter
Low-carbon transport: policies to encourage cycling in sprawling cities
Kong, Weichang and Pojani, Dorina (2022). Low-carbon transport: policies to encourage cycling in sprawling cities. The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Urban and Regional Futures. (pp. 1-7) Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-51812-7_273-1
2022
Journal Article
Health and safety risks faced by delivery riders during the Covid-19 pandemic
Thuy Tran, Nguyen Anh, Nguyen, Ha Lan Anh, Nguyen, Thi Bich Ha, Nguyen, Quang Huy, Huynh, Thi Ngoc Lan, Pojani, Dorina, Nguyen Thi, Binh and Nguyen, Minh Hieu (2022). Health and safety risks faced by delivery riders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Transport and Health, 25 101343, 101343. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2022.101343
2022
Journal Article
Why are Hanoi students giving up on bus ridership?
Nguyen, Minh Hieu and Pojani, Dorina (2022). Why are Hanoi students giving up on bus ridership?. Transportation, 50 (3), 1-25. doi: 10.1007/s11116-021-10262-9
2022
Journal Article
The emergence of recreational cycling in Hanoi during the Covid-19 pandemic
Nguyen, Minh Hieu and Pojani, Dorina (2022). The emergence of recreational cycling in Hanoi during the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Transport and Health, 24 101332, 101332. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2022.101332
2022
Journal Article
Users and non-users of bikesharing: how do they differ?
Soltani, Ali, Allan, Andrew, Pojani, Dorina, Khalaj, Fahimeh and Mehdizadeh, Milad (2022). Users and non-users of bikesharing: how do they differ?. Transportation Planning and Technology, 45 (1), 1-20. doi: 10.1080/03081060.2021.2017215
2022
Book Chapter
Low-carbon transport: policies to encourage cycling in sprawling cities
Kong, Weichang and Pojani, Dorina (2022). Low-carbon transport: policies to encourage cycling in sprawling cities. The Palgrave encyclopedia of urban and regional futures. (pp. 996-1002) edited by Robert C. Brears. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-87745-3_273
2022
Book Chapter
Zero-Carbon Urban Design in a Warming World: Learning from Pre-modern Cities
Pojani, Dorina, White, Jessica, Qiu, Feipeng, Lin, Xiaoyu, Qiang, Yishuai, He, Yuan and Liu, Mengqi (2022). Zero-Carbon Urban Design in a Warming World: Learning from Pre-modern Cities. Palgrave Studies in Energy Transitions. (pp. 1-35) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-74380-2_37-1
2021
Journal Article
Gender bias in the planning industry and planning outcomes
Sahama, Ishara, Wyeth, Stephanie and Pojani, Dorina (2021). Gender bias in the planning industry and planning outcomes. Australian Planner, 57 (3-4), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/07293682.2021.2017994
2021
Journal Article
Covid-19 need not spell the death of public transport: Learning from Hanoi's safety measures
Hieu Nguyen, Minh and Pojani, Dorina (2021). Covid-19 need not spell the death of public transport: Learning from Hanoi's safety measures. Journal of Transport and Health, 23 101279, 101279. doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2021.101279
2021
Journal Article
Contemporary parking policy, practice, and outcomes in three large Australian cities
Kimpton, Anthony, Pojani, Dorina, Ryan, Connor, Ouyang, Lisha, Sipe, Neil and Corcoran, Jonathan (2021). Contemporary parking policy, practice, and outcomes in three large Australian cities. Progress in Planning, 153 100506, 1-25. doi: 10.1016/j.progress.2020.100506
2021
Journal Article
Informal construction as political currency: a theory of ‘election-driven informality’
Imami, Drini, Lami, Endrit and Pojani, Dorina (2021). Informal construction as political currency: a theory of ‘election-driven informality’. Land Use Policy, 112 105785, 105785. doi: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105785
2021
Other Outputs
We analysed 100 million bike trips to reveal where in the world cyclists are most likely to brave rain and cold
Bean, Richard, Pojani, Dorina and Corcoran, Jonathan (2021, 10 06). We analysed 100 million bike trips to reveal where in the world cyclists are most likely to brave rain and cold The Conversation
2021
Other Outputs
Enhancing sustainability and inclusiveness of urban passenger transport in Asian cities
Pojani, Dorina and Baar, Kenneth (2021). Enhancing sustainability and inclusiveness of urban passenger transport in Asian cities. Bangkok, Thailand: United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asian and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
2021
Journal Article
The impact of Covid-19 on children's active travel to school in Vietnam
Nguyen, Minh Hieu, Pojani, Dorina, Nguyen, Thanh Chuong and Ha, Thanh Tung (2021). The impact of Covid-19 on children's active travel to school in Vietnam. Journal of Transport Geography, 96 103191, 103191. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2021.103191
2021
Book
Trophy cities: a feminist perspective on new capitals
Pojani, Dorina (2021). Trophy cities: a feminist perspective on new capitals. London, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing.
2021
Book Chapter
Parking policy and bay-sharing for unmooring automobility from cities
Kimpton, Anthony, Pojani, Dorina, Sipe, Neil and Corcoran, Jonathan (2021). Parking policy and bay-sharing for unmooring automobility from cities. A modern guide to the urban sharing economy. (pp. 87-102) edited by Thomas Sigler and Jonathan Corcoran. Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar Publishing. doi: 10.4337/9781789909562.00014
2021
Other Outputs
How does weather affect bikeshare use? A comparative analysis of forty cities across climate zones
Bean, Richard , Pojani, Dorina and Corcoran, Jonathan (2021). How does weather affect bikeshare use? A comparative analysis of forty cities across climate zones. Mendeley Data. (Dataset) doi: 10.17632/2nxpvtz935.2
2021
Journal Article
How does weather affect bikeshare use? A comparative analysis of forty cities across climate zones
Bean, Richard , Pojani, Dorina and Corcoran, Jonathan (2021). How does weather affect bikeshare use? A comparative analysis of forty cities across climate zones. Journal of Transport Geography, 95 103155, 103155. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2021.103155
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Dorina Pojani is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Housing affordability issues in Malaysia
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
The current environmental dynamics of the COVID-19 crisis and the challenges ahead in Saudi Arabia and Australia in terms of planning and sustainability
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 transport and gender issues: A comparison between Brisbane and Sylhet
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Digital Deconcentration and the Changing Face of American Cities: Examining the Effects of Working from Home on America¿s Post-pandemic Urbanisation.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Thomas Sigler
-
Doctor Philosophy
Policy Barriers to Livable Cities in South East Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
Completed supervision
-
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
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Gender, Transport and Mobility Biography in the Jakarta Metropolitan Area
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Neil Sipe
-
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
Are cities still building highways? A comparison of Australia and Iran
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Neil Sipe
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Public Space Privatisation: The Experience of Indonesian Cities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sebastien Darchen
-
2020
Master Philosophy
Climate sensitive urban design: a comparison between Brisbane (Australia) and Nagpur (India)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sebastien Darchen
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Need help?
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