Yiting Zhao | Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yiting Zhao | Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | The University of Manchester | United Kingdom

Dr. Yiting Zhao is a researcher at The University of Manchester, United Kingdom, whose academic work is dedicated to advancing knowledge at the intersection of Complex Product–Service Systems (CoPSS), sustainable design, and responsible project management within the built environment and civil engineering management sectors. Her interdisciplinary research integrates principles of engineering design, digitalization, and sustainability to create innovative frameworks that guide the development of smart buildings and sustainable infrastructure systems aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Yiting Zhao’s scholarly portfolio encompasses several peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters. Notably, her 2025 publication in the Journal of Cleaner Production, titled “Advancing Complex Product–Service Systems (CoPSS) Design: An Integrative Literature Review,” presents a comprehensive synthesis of methodological developments in sustainable product–service integration. Her other research contributions include the studies “Integrating Sustainable Design and Responsible Project Management: Methodological Insights from a Smart Hospital Case Study” and “The Integration of Sustainable Design and Responsible Project Management in Designing Complex Product–Service Systems.” These works bridge theoretical frameworks and practical applications, highlighting the importance of co-creation, stakeholder collaboration, and system optimization in sustainable infrastructure design. Employing diverse methodologies such as conceptual modeling, semi-structured interviews, and data-driven analytical approaches, Dr. Yiting Zhao’s research investigates the dynamic interactions among design processes, service delivery mechanisms, and management efficiency in large-scale engineering systems. Her recent studies also explore smart building management, intelligent HVAC design, and circular design strategies to enhance environmental and operational performance. In recognition of her impactful research and academic excellence, Dr. Yiting Zhao received the prestigious IEEE TEMSCON Global 2025 Best Student Paper Award. Her growing scholarly influence-reflected by 15 citations, 1 document and an h-index of 1 on Scopus-demonstrates her commitment to driving sustainable engineering innovation and advancing interdisciplinary research in the fields of engineering design, sustainability, and digital transformation.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | Researcher Profile

Featured Publications

1. Wang, Y., Zhao, Y., Tian, X., Yang, J., & Luo, S. (2025). The influence of subjective knowledge, technophobia and perceived enjoyment on design students’ intention to use artificial intelligence design tools. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 35(1), 333–358.

2. Zhao, Y., Xie, C., & Lu, M. (2021). Design of smart building operations and maintenance management service system. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (pp. 183–190). Springer.

3. Zhao, Y., & Zhang, J. (2020). Research on the design of smart waste classification and collection service system. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (pp. 275–282). Springer.

4. Zhao, Y. (2015). The influence of the development of 3D printing technology on product design [3D 打印技术的发展对产品设计的影响]. China Machinery, 40–41.

5. Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., Maytorena-Sanchez, E., & Zhang, J. (2025). Advancing complex product–service systems (CoPSS) design: An integrative literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 527, 146690.

Md Ashikuzzaman | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Md Ashikuzzaman | Urban Planning | Best Researcher Award

Casual Academic at Curtin University, Australia.

Mr. Md Ashikuzzaman is an urban planner, researcher, and academic specializing in sustainable urban development, GIS, and climate resilience. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Curtin University, Australia, and serves as an Assistant Professor at Khulna University, Bangladesh. With extensive experience in teaching, research, and consultancy, he actively contributes to urban policy discussions and sustainability practices.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Google Scholar

Educational Details

Mr. Md Ashikuzzaman is an urban planner and researcher with a strong academic foundation in urban and regional planning. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at Curtin University, Australia. He earned a Master of Engineering in Urban Engineering from The University of Tokyo, Japan (2013–2015) and a Bachelor of Urban and Rural Planning from Khulna University, Bangladesh (2005–2009). His academic background is rooted in sustainable urban development, environmental planning, and spatial analysis.

Professional Experience

With over a decade of academic and research experience, Mr. Md Ashikuzzaman has been serving as an Assistant Professor at Khulna University, Bangladesh, since 2018, where he teaches and supervises research on urban development, climate change, GIS, and environmental studies. In addition to his teaching role, he has held research and teaching assistant positions at Curtin University and the University of Tokyo, where he contributed to course design, student guidance, and GIS-based spatial analysis.

His research experience includes working as a Research Assistant at Colouring Australia (2022–2023), where he conducted spatial analysis, developed GIS-based maps, and extracted data for statistical analysis. He has also worked in NGOs, including Community Development Centre (CODEC) and Jagrata Juba Shangha (JJA), focusing on project monitoring, evaluation, and documentation. His expertise extends to consultancy projects on urban governance, community development, and environmental sustainability.

Research Interest

Mr. Md Ashikuzzaman’s research interests include urban and regional planning, climate change adaptation, urban governance, sustainable development, and GIS-based spatial analysis. His work emphasizes data-driven solutions for resilient cities, sustainable infrastructure, and policy frameworks for effective urban management.

Author Metrics

Mr. Md Ashikuzzaman has published multiple research articles in peer-reviewed journals and has presented his findings at international conferences. His publications focus on urban resilience, spatial analysis, climate adaptation, and governance. His work is widely cited, reflecting his contributions to the field of urban and regional planning.

Top Noted Publication

  1. Factors Associating Different Antenatal Care Contacts of Women – PLoS ONE, 2020 (Cited 61 times)

    • Examines factors influencing antenatal care utilization in Bangladesh.

  2. Sustainable Solid Waste Management in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges – Sustainable Waste Management Challenges in Developing Countries, 2019 (Cited 59 times)

    • Discusses challenges and policy recommendations for waste management.

  3. Nature and Extent of Population Displacement Due to Climate Change in Coastal Bangladesh – International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 2012 (Cited 31 times)

    • Analyzes displacement patterns caused by climate-induced disasters.

  4. An Integrated Model of City and Neighborhood Identities – Journal of Business Research, 2019 (Cited 30 times)

    • Explores how city and neighborhood identities influence branding.

  5. Nature and Extent of Population Displacement Due to Climate Change (Revised Study) – Management of Environmental Quality, 2011 (Cited 23 times)

    • Examines the socio-economic impact of environmental displacement.

  6. City Brand Love: Modelling and Resident Heterogeneity Analysis – Journal of Product & Brand Management, 2022 (Cited 22 times)

    • Investigates the role of city branding in urban identity and development.

Conclusion

Mr. Md Ashikuzzaman is an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award in Urban Planning. His strong publication record, extensive teaching experience, technical expertise in GIS and sustainability, and impactful research on urban resilience and governance make him a deserving contender.