Developing a novel Modelling Framework for Modelling fifteen-minute cities

As the world’s population continues to urbanise at an unprecedented rate, urbanization’s challenges, such as congestion, pollution, and social inequality, have grown more important than ever. The “fifteen-minute city” is a recent innovative urban development concept that aims to create liveable, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments by ensuring that essential services, amenities, and opportunities are accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from any location. By prioritizing the needs and preferences of residents, and promoting equity and community engagement, the 15-minute city concept can help create more vibrant and inclusive urban environments, where residents can access the resources and amenities they need to thrive. Presently there are some niche works going on in Paris (France), Barcelona (Spain), 20-minute concept, Melbourne (Australia), Portland (Oregon). This PhD project seeks to develop a novel intelligent modelling framework that utilizes real transportation data to design and evaluate the feasibility of the “fifteen-minute city” concept, with a focus on optimizing transportation systems, reducing congestion, and enhancing urban accessibility. 

Objectives:  

1. To develop an intelligent modelling framework specifically designed for modelling 15-minute cities combining mathematical, statistical and AI-based approaches. 
2. To develop an integrated urban traffic simulation model that considers transportation data, land-use patterns, and mobility preferences as input variables to assess the potential for achieving a “fifteen-minute city”. 
3. To model the effectiveness of different transportation interventions, such as improved public transit, active transportation infrastructure, and traffic management strategies, in realizing the “fifteen-minute city” vision, and its corresponding benefits. 
4. Scenario Modelling: Utilize scenario modelling and simulation modelling to project the potential benefits and challenges of implementing the “fifteen-minute city” in specific urban contexts, considering different transportation interventions and investment in sustainable mobility 

Academic qualifications

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements in the following subject areas – Transportation/ Civil Engineering, Mathematics/AI

English language requirement

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language.

Application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr Faheem Ahmed Malik ([email protected]) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

Contact details

Should you need more information, please email [email protected].

The application must include: 

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods.
• List of references

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support.

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate.
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates.
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here.

Applications can be submitted here. To be considered, the application must use:

• the advertised title as project title 

Download a copy of the project details here