Overview
Background
I am an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Since joining the University of Queensland in 2015, my research has focused on the built environment triad: urban design, mobility, 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/TUD), 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 nearly 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. I have attracted more than $1 million 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.
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 (current)
- Journal of Planning Education and Research (current)
- Urban Policy and Research (current)
- Australian Planner (current)
- Journal of Transport Geography (current)
- Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice
Works
Search Professor Dorina Pojani’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Other Outputs
What can our cities do about sprawl, congestion and pollution? Tip: scrap car parking
Sipe, Neil, Kimpton, Anthony and Dorina Pojani (2019, 07 24). What can our cities do about sprawl, congestion and pollution? Tip: scrap car parking The Conversation
2019
Journal Article
The challenge of opening up gated communities in Shanghai
Wang, Hongbing and Pojani, Dorina (2019). The challenge of opening up gated communities in Shanghai. Journal of Urban Design, 25 (4), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/13574809.2019.1625707
2019
Other Outputs
Youth in, families out: 6 charts on the inner cities of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
Bajracharya, Seetu, Pojani, Dorina and Sipe, Neil (2019, 07 03). Youth in, families out: 6 charts on the inner cities of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne The Conversation
2019
Journal Article
Weather and cycling in New York: The case of Citibike
An, Ran , Zahnow, Renee , Pojani, Dorina and Corcoran, Jonathan (2019). Weather and cycling in New York: The case of Citibike. Journal of Transport Geography, 77, 97-112. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.04.016
2019
Journal Article
Gauging differences in public transport symbolism across national cultures: implications for policy development and transfer
Ashmore, David P., Pojani, Dorina , Thoreau, Roselle, Christie, Nicola and Tyler, Nicholas A. (2019). Gauging differences in public transport symbolism across national cultures: implications for policy development and transfer. Journal of Transport Geography, 77, 26-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.04.008
2019
Journal Article
The self-built city: theorizing urban design of informal settlements
Pojani, Dorina (2019). The self-built city: theorizing urban design of informal settlements. Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, 13 (2) ARCH-11-2018-0004, 294-313. doi: 10.1108/arch-11-2018-0004
2019
Journal Article
Urban design quality and walkability: an audit of suburban high streets in an Australian city
Hooi, Enshan and Dorina Pojani (2019). Urban design quality and walkability: an audit of suburban high streets in an Australian city. Journal of Urban Design, 25 (1), 1-25. doi: 10.1080/13574809.2018.1554996
2019
Book Chapter
Setting the agenda for parking research in other cities
Pojani, Dorina, Kimpton, Anthony, Sipe, Neil, Corcoran, Jonathan, Mateo-Babiano, Iderlina and Stead, Dominic (2019). Setting the agenda for parking research in other cities. Parking: An International Perspective. (pp. 245-260) edited by Dorina Pojani, Jonathan Corcoran, Neil Sipe, Iderlina Mateo-Babiano and Dominic Stead. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-815265-2.00014-5
2019
Book Chapter
Informal settlements in the Balkans: squatters’ magic realism vs. planners’ modernist fantasy vs. governments’ tolerance and opportunism
Pojani, Dorina (2019). Informal settlements in the Balkans: squatters’ magic realism vs. planners’ modernist fantasy vs. governments’ tolerance and opportunism. The Routledge handbook on informal urbanization. (pp. 34-43) edited by Roberto Rocco and Jan van Ballegooijen. New York, United States: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315645544-4
2018
Journal Article
When West–East planning policy advice fails to gain traction
Pojani, Dorina and Stead, Dominic (2018). When West–East planning policy advice fails to gain traction. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 62 (8), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/09640568.2018.1497586
2018
Other Outputs
The battle to be the Amazon (or Netflix) of transport
Sipe, Neil and Pojani, Dorina (2018, 11 27). The battle to be the Amazon (or Netflix) of transport The Conversation
2018
Other Outputs
For Mobility as a Service (MaaS) to solve our transport woes, some things need to change
Sipe, Neil and Pojani, Dorina (2018, 11 19). For Mobility as a Service (MaaS) to solve our transport woes, some things need to change The Conversation
2018
Journal Article
Research Productivity of Australian Planning Academics: A Bibliometric Analysis
Pojani, Dorina, Olvera Garcia, Jaime, Sipe, Neil and Byrne, Jason (2018). Research Productivity of Australian Planning Academics: A Bibliometric Analysis. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 42 (1), 0739456X1880433-101. doi: 10.1177/0739456X18804330
2018
Journal Article
Discretion and the erosion of community trust in planning: reflections on the post‐political
Kwok, Melanie, Johnson, Laurel and Pojani, Dorina (2018). Discretion and the erosion of community trust in planning: reflections on the post‐political. Geographical Research, 56 (4), 382-392. doi: 10.1111/1745-5871.12310
2018
Journal Article
Cars as a status symbol: youth attitudes toward sustainable transport in a post-socialist city
Pojani, Elona, Van Acker, Veronique and Pojani, Dorina (2018). Cars as a status symbol: youth attitudes toward sustainable transport in a post-socialist city. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 58, 210-227. doi: 10.1016/j.trf.2018.06.003
2018
Other Outputs
Can e-scooters solve the ‘last mile’ problem? They’ll need to avoid the fate of dockless bikes
Sipe, Neil and Pojani, Dorina (2018, 09 21). Can e-scooters solve the ‘last mile’ problem? They’ll need to avoid the fate of dockless bikes The Conversation
2018
Journal Article
Why Isn’t Australia a Cycling Mecca?
Butterworth, Elizabeth and Pojani, Dorina (2018). Why Isn’t Australia a Cycling Mecca?. European Transport, 69 (69) 4.
2018
Other Outputs
Why driverless vehicles should not be given unchecked access to our cities
Stead, Dominic , Kimpton, Anthony , Pojani, Dorina , Mateo Babiano, Iderlina , Corcoran, Jonathan and Sipe, Neil (2018, 09 13). Why driverless vehicles should not be given unchecked access to our cities The Conversation
2018
Other Outputs
Bicycles and Pedestrians Are Key to Easing Congestion on Mumbai’s Suburban Trains
Abhishek, Vineet and Pojani, Dorina (2018, 08 28). Bicycles and Pedestrians Are Key to Easing Congestion on Mumbai’s Suburban Trains Engineering for Change (E4C)
2018
Journal Article
The place of public space in the lives of Middle Eastern women migrants in Australia
Gholamhosseini, Roja, Pojani, Dorina, Mateo Babiano, Iderlina, Johnson, Laurel and Minnery, John (2018). The place of public space in the lives of Middle Eastern women migrants in Australia. Journal of Urban Design, 24 (2), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/13574809.2018.1498293
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 UQ's HDR entry requirements. 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]
- Sufian Almubarak [principal, completed]
- Xuanbo Liu [associate, completed]
- Abolghasem Azhdari [associate, completed]
- Krismiyati Tasrin [principal]
- Amjad Hossain Reyad [principal]
- Nadia Zaini [principal]
- Ahmad Yazdanian [associate]
- Francesco Montresor [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
New capital cities: Assessing gender inclusion in Nusantara's planning and design
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
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Doctor Philosophy
Active transport and gender issues: A comparison between Brisbane and Sylhet
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Housing as a feminist issue: The case of Kuching, Sarawak
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
The Right to Housing: Evaluating the Process of De-Socialization of Housing in Urban Areas
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi
Completed supervision
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2026
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
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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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2026
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
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2026
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
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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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