Overview
Background
Ali Cheshmehzangi is Professor in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning (ADP) at the University of Queensland, where he leads the School and researches across the fields of architecture, design, and planning/urbanism. He is the World’s top 2% field leader for two consecutive years, recognised by Stanford University. He is among top 30 global scholars in the urban sustainability research area. Ali is internationally known for his scholarly contribution and extended work on climate resilience and sustainable urbanism research, mainly as the Editor-in-Chief of Springer’s Urban Sustainability (US) book series (see https://www.springer.com/series/16930). He has five academic degrees including a PhD Degree in Architecture and Urban Design, Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) in Urban Design, Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE), Graduate Degree in Professional Studies in Architecture, and Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. Ali has a wealth of experience, expertise, and a strong commitment to innovation and excellence in the fields of architecture, design, and planning, three core disciplines of his School at UQ. With a career spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to the academic and professional communities, with a focus on sustainable and environmentally conscious design. Prior to joining UQ, Ali held several strategic leadership and senior managerial roles, such as Vice-President for International Engagement and Global Partnership, Founding Director and Head of the Center for Innovation in Education and Research, Head of the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Founding Director of the Urban Innovation Lab, Director of a university-wide Teaching and Learning platform, Director of International Research Network for Rural and Urban Development, Head of Research Group for Sustainable Built Environment, co-director of university-wide research priority areas, Director of Center for Sustainable Energy Technologies, and Interim Director of Digital Design Lab.
Availability
- Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Architecture, Leeds Metropolitan University
- Graduate Certificate in Architecture, Leeds Metropolitan University
- Masters (Extended) of Urban Design, University of Nottingham
- Doctor of Philosophy of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Nottingham
- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education, University of Nottingham
Research impacts
Ali has a wide range of experience at the university leadership level, sitting at several committees for student experience and engagement, UK-Asia Research Network, Regional Strategic leadership, Research and Knowledge Exchange leadership, Student Affairs support, etc. He has carried forward his honorary roles in China and Japan. He was a specially-appointed Full Professor and is now a Research Associate of the Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University, Japan. He has collaborated and worked with major international and national organisations and leading industry partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UN Habitat, ICLEI, Arup, Siemens, Regional Planning Association (in New York), London Development Agency, Catapult UK, The Guangzhou Award for Urban Innovation, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China Academy of Building Research (CABR), Building Research Establishment (BRE), etc. Under his profile, he has 11 PhD students to completion and nine ongoing PhD students studying various urban sustainability and built environment research topics, often through applied research and problem-solving ideas. He is open to take new PhD/HDR students who are eager to explore important local and global research topics.
Ali is active in research and continues to collaborate with multiple stakeholders in academia, governments, communities, and the industry. He is well-connected internationally in multiple regions in Australia, Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa. He believes in impactful and meaningful research that could enrich our local communities with a global and progressive outlook. So far, Ali has published over 500 journal papers, articles, conference papers, book chapters, and reports. To date, he has published 26 academic books, mostly focused on sustainable urban development, urbanism, and sustainability transitions. Three of his books have received awards at the national, provincial, and municipal levels. He also has received international award and recognition for his research on urban resilience studies and sustainability research, as well as a Vice-Chancellor’s award for his impactful contribution to higher education.
Works
Search Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Conference Publication
Cooling for air temperature reduction or thermal comfort improvement? Simulations based on local characteristics
Liao, Xiongjie, Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Zahed, Leila Mohaghegh and He, Bao-Jie (2026). Cooling for air temperature reduction or thermal comfort improvement? Simulations based on local characteristics. SBE25 Tokyo: Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2025, Tokyo, Japan, 24-25 September 2025. Bristol, United Kingdom: Institute of Physics Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1582/1/012057
2026
Book Chapter
Climate-responsive coastal design: mangrove-based urban resilience in Port Vila, Vanuatu
Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Sharifi, Ayyoob, Azhdari, Abolghasem, He, Bao-jie, Allam, Zaheer, Nisha, Jyotir and Rad Yousefnia, Ali (2026). Climate-responsive coastal design: mangrove-based urban resilience in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Nature-based and climate responsive design for urban systems. (pp. 157-177) edited by Ali Cheshmehzangi, Jian Zuo, Ayyoob Sharifi, Rongpeng Zhang, Abbas Ziafati Bafarasat and Jie Zhao. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-92-2070-0_9
2026
Book
Design innovation for climate-resilient cities and built environments: architectural and technological solutions
Ali Cheshmehzangi, Jian Zuo, Ayyoob Sharifi, Rongpeng Zhang, Abbas Ziafati Bafarasat and Jie Zhao eds. (2026). Design innovation for climate-resilient cities and built environments: architectural and technological solutions. Urban Sustainability, Gateway East, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-92-2297-1
2026
Book Chapter
AI–IoT for Smart Urban Planning and Sustainable Development
Almulhim, Abdulaziz I., Sharifi, Ayyoob, Cheshmehzangi, Ali, He, Bao-Jie and de Jong, Martin (2026). AI–IoT for Smart Urban Planning and Sustainable Development. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 1-9) Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-92-1011-4_1
2026
Book
Thailand’s tropical thresholds: coastal climate resilience and sustainable urban transformations
Cheshmehzangi, Ali (2026). Thailand’s tropical thresholds: coastal climate resilience and sustainable urban transformations. Singapore, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-4975-7
2026
Book Chapter
Urban intelligence in motion: crowdsensing as a catalyst for change
Cheshmehzangi, Ali and Ardakani, Saeid Pourroostaei (2026). Urban intelligence in motion: crowdsensing as a catalyst for change. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 1-11) Singapore, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-6358-6_1
2026
Book Chapter
Reframing urban futures: the promise of nature-based urbanism
Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Alidoust, Sara, Chen, Wendy Y. and Fuller, Richard (2026). Reframing urban futures: the promise of nature-based urbanism. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 1-9) Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-6864-2_1
2026
Book
Crowdsensing and data: intelligence for city pulse
Pourroostaei Ardakani, Saeid and Cheshmehzangi, Ali eds. (2026). Crowdsensing and data: intelligence for city pulse. Urban Sustainability, Singapore, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-6358-6
2026
Book Chapter
Cities can no longer outsmart nature: designing with ecological systems in the climate era
Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Zuo, Jian, Sharifi, Ayyoob, Zhang, Rongpeng, Ziafati Bafarasat, Abbas and Zhao, Jie (2026). Cities Can No Longer Outsmart Nature: Designing with Ecological Systems in the Climate era. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 1-8) Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-92-2070-0_1
2026
Book Chapter
Nature in cities: reimagining urban futures through ecology and care
Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Alidoust, Sara, Chen, Wendy Y. and Fuller, Richard (2026). Nature in cities: reimagining urban futures through ecology and care. Nature in cities, nurturing cities. (pp. 1-10) edited by Ali Cheshmehzangi, Sara Alidoust, Wendy Chen and Richard Fuller. Gateway East, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-5487-4_1
2026
Book Chapter
Reimagining urban futures: lessons for designing nature into cities
Alidoust, Sara, Chen, Wendy Y., Fuller, Richard and Cheshmehzangi, Ali (2026). Reimagining urban futures: lessons for designing nature into cities. Designing nature into cities. (pp. 197-202) edited by Ali Cheshmehzangi, Sara Alidoust, Wendy Y. Chen and Richard Fuller. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-9382-8_11
2026
Book
Resilient by design: urban systems, policy, and community engagement
Ali Cheshmehzangi, Jian Zuo, Ayyoob Sharifi, Rongpeng Zhang, Abbas Ziafati Bafarasat and Jie Zhao eds. (2026). Resilient by design: urban systems, policy, and community engagement. Urban Sustainability, Gateway East, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-92-2066-3
2026
Book Chapter
Rethinking Urban Futures: The Case for Transformative Growth
Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Raven, Rob, Jong, Martin de and Tan-Mullins, May (2026). Rethinking Urban Futures: The Case for Transformative Growth. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 1-21) Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-7378-3_1
2026
Conference Publication
Delineating the impact of heat islands on human health and implications for positive mitigation and adaptation
Liu, Xinting, Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Zahed, Leila Mohaghegh and He, Bao-Jie (2026). Delineating the impact of heat islands on human health and implications for positive mitigation and adaptation. SBE25 Tokyo: Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2025, Tokyo, Japan, 24-25 September 2025. Bristol, United Kingdom: Institute of Physics Publishing. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1582/1/012059
2026
Book Chapter
Between Rice Fields and Resorts: Mapping the Urban-Ecological Nexus in the Face of Urban Growth and Ecological Balance in Southern Bali
Cheshmehzangi, Ali and Tang, Tian (2026). Between Rice Fields and Resorts: Mapping the Urban-Ecological Nexus in the Face of Urban Growth and Ecological Balance in Southern Bali. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 223-242) Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-7378-3_10
2026
Book Chapter
Designing the Resilient City: Lessons, Pathways, and Future Directions
Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Zuo, Jian, Sharifi, Ayyoob, Zhang, Rongpeng, Ziafati Bafarasat, Abbas and Zhao, Jie (2026). Designing the Resilient City: Lessons, Pathways, and Future Directions. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 145-153) Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-92-2066-3_10
2026
Book Chapter
Nature as design: recasting the urban blueprint
Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Alidoust, Sara, Chen, Wendy Y. and Fuller, Richard (2026). Nature as design: recasting the urban blueprint. Designing nature into cities. (pp. 1-11) edited by Ali Cheshmehzangi, Sara Alidoust, Wendy Y. Chen and Richard Fuller. Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-9382-8_1
2026
Book Chapter
From vision to practice: advancing nature-based urbanism
Alidoust, Sara, Chen, Wendy Y., Fuller, Richard and Cheshmehzangi, Ali (2026). From vision to practice: advancing nature-based urbanism. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 269-274) Singapore, Singapore: Springer Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-6864-2_13
2026
Edited Outputs
Climate resilience and data forecasting : selected papers of 2025 international conference on climate-resilient and low-carbon cities
He, Bao-Jie, Prasad, Deo, Cheshmehzangi, Ali and Ma, Ming eds. (2026). Climate resilience and data forecasting : selected papers of 2025 international conference on climate-resilient and low-carbon cities. 2025 International Conference on Climate-resilient and Low-carbon Cities, Online, 23 August, 2025. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland AG. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-11910-0
2026
Book Chapter
Small coastal cities under climate pressure: nature as infrastructure and lessons from Morondava, Avarua, Honiara, and Cairns
Cheshmehzangi, Ali, Wang, Xin, Baresi, Umberto, Russo, Alessio, Tang, Tian, Shabani, Amirhosein, Taheri, Shima and Mohammadi, Alireza (2026). Small Coastal Cities Under Climate Pressure: Nature as Infrastructure and Lessons from Morondava, Avarua, Honiara, and Cairns. Urban Sustainability. (pp. 113-136) Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. doi: 10.1007/978-981-92-2070-0_7
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ali Cheshmehzangi is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Right to Housing: Evaluating the Process of De-Socialization of Housing in Urban Areas
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dorina Pojani
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing a climate-resilient framework for healthy cities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Alidoust, Dr Ray Maher
-
Doctor Philosophy
Design urban blue-green spaces for the elderlies subjective well-being in metropolitan environments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Silvia Micheli, Dr Dan Luo, Dr Sara Alidoust
-
Doctor Philosophy
Producing the Circular City through Configuration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dan Luo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Extended Reality for Architecture, Engineering and Construction (XR+AEC)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dan Luo, Dr Sebastien Darchen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Mobility Culture and Micro-scale Living Patterns: Re-conceptualization of Land Use and Movement Patterns in Australian Cities
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dan Luo, Associate Professor Silvia Micheli
-
Doctor Philosophy
Advancing Participatory Urban Design through AI and Crowdsourcing: A Methodological Framework Applied to Micromobility-Friendly Streets Design in Brisbane
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Silvia Micheli, Dr Dan Luo
Completed supervision
-
2026
Doctor Philosophy
Residents' perceptions of a government-initiated anti-gating policy: A study of open communities in Shanghai
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dorina Pojani, Dr Sara Alidoust
Media
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