Dr Sara Alidoust
Dr

Sara Alidoust

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Phone: 
+61 7 336 56671

Background

My research centers on the intersections of Urban Planning and Public Health, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and practical application. I deliver transdisciplinary solutions to some of the most compelling challenges of our time, 'housing equity' and 'healthy cities'. My work stands out through the application of Systems Thinking to complex planning issues and I explore the connections between planning and the physical, mental, and social health of individuals and communities. My primary focus is on developing resilient cities, capable of maintaining their liveability over time, especially amidst disruptive events and shocks.

Availability

Dr Sara Alidoust is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Built Environment and Design Urban and regional planning

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University

Research interests

  • Planning for Social Sustainability and Community Wellbeing

  • Planning Resilient and liveable Cities

  • Age-Friendly Planning

  • Housing Vulnerability and Informal Housing in the Global North

Research impacts

My research generates meaningful impact by translating evidence into practical solutions for planning practitioners, policymakers, public health professionals, and communities. Through close engagement with research end-users, I produce actionable knowledge that informs policy, governance, and decision-making across diverse urban contexts. My work contributes to more equitable, liveable, and resilient communities by identifying gaps in planning frameworks and developing evidence-based recommendations that strengthen policy and practice.

A key feature of my research is its strong focus on community engagement and real-world application. By working directly with community members, including older adults and other vulnerable populations, I ensure that planning responses are informed by lived experience and local needs. This approach supports more inclusive and effective planning outcomes while enhancing understanding of complex urban challenges.

Search Professor Sara Alidoust’s works on UQ eSpace

48 works between 2014 and 2026
All (48) Book (3) Journal Article (23) Other Outputs (5) Conference Publication (2) Book Chapter (14) Newspaper Article (1)

41 - 48 of 48 works

2017

Journal Article

Research for City Practice

Grant, Marcus, Brown, Caroline, Caiaffa, Waleska T., Capon, Anthony, Corburn, Jason, Coutts, Chris, Crespo, Carlos J., Ellis, Geraint, Ferguson, George, Fudge, Colin, Hancock, Trevor, Lawrence, Roderick J., Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J., Oni, Tolu , Thompson, Susan, Wagenaar, Cor , Ward Thompson, Catharine, Alidoust, Sara, Bosman, Caryl, Schnake-Mahl, Alina, Norman, Sarah, Kent, Jennifer Lee, Ma, Liang, Mulley, Corinne and Siri, José (2017). Research for City Practice. Cities and Health, 1 (1), 10-21. doi: 10.1080/23748834.2017.1396750

Research for City Practice

2017

Journal Article

The spatial dimensions of neighbourhood: how older people define it

Alidoust, Sara, Bosman, Caryl, Holden, Gordon, Shearer, Heather and Shutter, Leigh (2017). The spatial dimensions of neighbourhood: how older people define it. Journal of Urban Design, 22 (5), 547-567. doi: 10.1080/13574809.2017.1336057

The spatial dimensions of neighbourhood: how older people define it

2017

Other Outputs

Planning for socially healthy ageing – A study of neighbourhood environments and their impacts on the social lives of older people

Alidoust, Sara (2017). Planning for socially healthy ageing – A study of neighbourhood environments and their impacts on the social lives of older people. PhD Thesis, School of Environment, Griffith University.

Planning for socially healthy ageing – A study of neighbourhood environments and their impacts on the social lives of older people

2016

Journal Article

Boomer planning: the production of age-friendly cities

Alidoust, Sara and Bosman, Caryl (2016). Boomer planning: the production of age-friendly cities. Built Environment, 42 (1), 107-119. doi: 10.2148/benv.42.1.107

Boomer planning: the production of age-friendly cities

2015

Journal Article

Planning for an ageing population: links between social health, neighbourhood environment and the elderly

Alidoust, Sara and Bosman, Caryl (2015). Planning for an ageing population: links between social health, neighbourhood environment and the elderly. Australian Planner, 52 (3), 177-186. doi: 10.1080/07293682.2015.1034145

Planning for an ageing population: links between social health, neighbourhood environment and the elderly

2015

Conference Publication

Socially healthy ageing: the importance of third places, soft edges and walkable neighbourhoods

Alidoust, Sara, Bosman, Caryl and Holden, Gordon (2015). Socially healthy ageing: the importance of third places, soft edges and walkable neighbourhoods. State of Australian Cities Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, 9-11 December 2015.

Socially healthy ageing: the importance of third places, soft edges and walkable neighbourhoods

2014

Journal Article

Urban environment and social health of the elderly: a critical discussion on physical, social and policy environments

Alidoust, Sara, Holden, Gordon and Bosman, Caryl (2014). Urban environment and social health of the elderly: a critical discussion on physical, social and policy environments. Athens Journal of Health, 1 (3), 169-180. doi: 10.30958/ajh.1-3-1

Urban environment and social health of the elderly: a critical discussion on physical, social and policy environments

2014

Conference Publication

Urban environment and social health of the elderly: a critical discussion on physical, social and policy environments

Alidoust, Sara, Holden, Gordon and Bosman, Caryl (2014). Urban environment and social health of the elderly: a critical discussion on physical, social and policy environments. 4th Annual International Conference on Urban Studies & Planning, Athens, Greece, 9-12 June 2020.

Urban environment and social health of the elderly: a critical discussion on physical, social and policy environments

Availability

Dr Sara Alidoust is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Planning Healthy Cities

    Associations between urban planning and physical, mental and social health. Some topics include: 1. The role of built environment and planning policies in physical activity, active transport, healthy behaviours. 2. Urban planning impacts on social capital and community cohesion. 3. Planning policies and built environmental design for mental health. 4. Urban Green space and community health.

  • Housing Planning and Policy

    Some topics include: 1. Informal housing in the Global North. 2. Informal housing and the ageing population. 3. Health impacts of informal housing. 4. Resilient housing systems. 5. Systems thinking and housing policies.

  • Climate Change and Community Health

    Health impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, including older people. Some topics include: 1. Green infrastructure and community health. 2. Integrated policy frameworks for sustainable, healthy and resilient cities. 3. Urban heat stress and community health.

  • Planning Age-friendly Cities

    Planning age-friendly cities for older people to live an active life and stay engaged in the community. Some topics include: 1. Planning policies for developing age-friendly cities. 2. Emerging housing models and lifestyles for older people, e.g. house-sitting, co-living. 3. Neighbourhood planning for healthy ageing. 4. Master planned communities and community development for an ageing population.

  • Urban Planning for Social Sustainability

    Some topics include: 1. Developing evaluation frameworks for social sustainability. 2. Developing evaluation frameworks for community wellbeing. 3. Community engagement in planning policy.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Planning for health and wellbeing in high-rise precincts: Understanding the role of 'breathing space'

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Corcoran

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Impact of culture on women's urban transport accessibility, quality, and safety in Dhaka: A mixed-method study

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dorina Pojani

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New capital cities: Assessing gender inclusion in Nusantara's planning and design

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dorina Pojani

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Hem Urban Villages in Ho Chi Minh City: A Model for Community-Driven Urbanism

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Silvia Micheli

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Design urban blue-green spaces for the elderlies subjective well-being in metropolitan environments

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Silvia Micheli, Dr Dan Luo, Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing a climate-resilient framework for healthy cities

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Ray Maher, Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Valuing environmental sustainability in the built environment sector, focusing on housing in Southeast Queensland

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Paul Matthew, Dr Ray Maher

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Housing as a feminist issue: The case of Kuching, Sarawak

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dorina Pojani

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Sara Alidoust directly for media enquiries about:

  • Affordable Housing
  • Community Engagement in Planning and Policy Making
  • Master Planned Community Developments
  • Neighbourhood Planning and Loneliness
  • Planning Age Friendly Cities
  • Planning Healthy Cities
  • Resilient Planning

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