This Saturday three Curtin University students from around the globe will receive a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for research projects that highlight the need for smart, sustainable urban planning.<\/p>\n
The students, Joe Kott from San Francisco, Annie Matan from Fremantle and Roman Trubka from Vancouver, have completed studies that focus on public transport, pedestrian access in cities and the importance of city centres.<\/p>\n
Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute Director, Professor Peter Newman, said that all three projects demonstrate CUSP\u2019s commitment to becoming a leader in sustainable change through collaboration with government, industry and community.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe has been working on how to civilise traffic using methods that favour all users – not just cars \u2013 with a focus on how to make streets more pedestrian friendly,\u201d Professor Newman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnnie\u2019s PhD examines urban design from a walkability perspective, looking at the impact prominent Danish urban designer, Jan Gehl, has had on making cities around the world more walkable, including here in Perth.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cRoman\u2019s thesis has shown how important public transport is to the productivity of city centres.
\n\u201cThe data Roman has collected has recently been used to assess the infrastructure requirements of Australian cities by agencies such as Infrastructure Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Newman said that all three students will continue to work in the field of sustainable planning following their graduations.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe is now teaching at San Jose State University and Stanford University while Annie and Roman are now employed at CUSP, doing new research on the sustainability of cities.\u201d<\/p>\n
More information about these and other CUSP research projects is available online here<\/a><\/p>\n