Helen Zheng

Dr

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Personal profile

Biography

I am a Lecturer in Planning and Environmental Management. I joined The University of Manchester as a Research Associate in 2017. In 2019, I was awarded the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship, working on a three-year research project - 'Can spatial decentralisation achieve sustainable urbanisation?'.  

The first strand of my research focuses on sustainable urbanisation in China. I apply research methods such as spatial analysis, statistical modelling, and big data analytics to understand various issues such as green infrastructure planning, community well-being, mobility, and jobs-housing relationships in the context of rapid urbanisation in China.  

The second strand of my research points to decision-making support by developing different indicators and simulation models with the support of various data. In this area, I use dynamic modelling, simulation methods, and quantitative indicators to support decision and policy making at different spatial scales.

Research interests

Urban regeneration, Urbanisation in China, Job-housing relationship, Green infrastructure, GIS application in spatial planning

Teaching

For the 2022 to 2023 academic year, I contribute to teaching in the following modules: 

  • Applied Spatial Analysis (PLAN40761/PLAN60761)
  • International Planning: System and Frameworks (PLAN40861 / PLAN60861)
  • PLAN60090&EVDV60890&PLAN60550&60560 Dissertation [MSc Planning] (course unit leader)
  • PLAN60832&40712 International Fieldtrip

Prizes and awards

  • Emerald 2016 Literati Award with the title of Highly Commended Paper (Title of the paper: “Critical issues in spatial distribution of public housing estates and their implications on urban renewal in Hong Kong”)
  • The Second Price of the seventh Innovation Competition in Construction Engineering and Management (ICCEM) organized by the Tsinghua University and sponsored by the Gammon Construction Company Limited. (Title of the report: “A smart data mining approach for detecting individuals’ activity travel behavior and its applications in urban and transport planning”)
  • Winner of CIB Sebestyén Future Leaders Award 2013. The proposed project is supported in collaboration with CIB Working Commission W116 -Smart and Sustainable Built Environment. (Title of the project is “Investigating the green building development in China.”)

Media contributions and coverage

Opportunities

I would be happy to hear from prospective PhD students with the research interests in the following areas: 

  • commuting and jobs-housing relationships
  • urban renewal/regeneration decision-making
  • urbanisation and sustainable development 
  • the application of GIS and advanced quantitative methods in spatial planning

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13 - Climate Action
  • SDG 15 - Life on Land

Education/Academic qualification

Doctor of Philosophy, A Multi-scale Decision Support Framework for Sustainable Urban Renewal in High-density Cities: A Case of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

31 Aug 201231 Jan 2017

Award Date: 31 Jan 2017

Bachelor of Science, Urban and Rural Planning, Nanjing University

1 Sep 200830 Jun 2012

Award Date: 30 Jun 2012

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Digital Futures

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