Research and expertise
I am a PhD researcher in the Transport and Urban Planning Group at Loughborough University. My research sits at the intersection of urban visual perception, pedestrian accessibility and intelligent city analytics. I use street-view imagery, computer vision, spatial network analysis and perception-based evaluation to develop human-centred indicators for planning and decision-making.
Summary of expertise
- Pedestrian visual-spatial accessibility and 15-minute city evaluation
- Street-view image sampling, object detection and urban scene analysis
- GIS, spatial networks, route-based accessibility modelling and segment-level mapping
- Human-centred urban design, walkability and perception-sensitive planning metrics
Current research activity
- PhD research: Measuring pedestrian visual accessibility in the 15-minute city, developing route-based metrics that connect service-access walking routes, street-view objects and perceived walkability
- Perceived Walkability Index methods: identifying visual impediments such as dense vegetation, parked vehicles, walls and fences, and mapping their relationship with service opportunity and population exposure
- Urban data governance and visualisation: contributing to local urban data platforms and interactive visualisation work linked to Loughborough in Motion and Town Observatory activity
Recently completed research projects
- UK-Ukraine R&I Twinning Project: Digital solutions to maximise readiness for post-war reconstruction of the built environment, Research Assistant, Apr. 2023-Oct. 2023
- UKRI Branching Out project, York: collaborative design sprint using GIS and interactive prototypes for urban treescape planning, Jul. 2024
- Trajectories: Living heritage as a tool to rethink urban futures, The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, UCL
Recent publications
- Chen, T., Natapov, A. and Larimian, T. (2025). Assessing Pedestrian Visual Perception Using Open-Vocabulary Object Detection in Urban Street Scenes. CUPUM 2025
- Chen, T., Natapov, A. and Larimian, T. (2024). Measuring Spatial-Visual Accessibility in the 15-Minute City: Integrating Geographical and Visual Information. 14th International Space Syntax Symposium
- Chen, T., Natapov, A. and Larimian, T. (2024). Refining Urban Accessibility Measurement through Street View Imagery: A Pedestrian-Centric Approach. 36th AESOP Annual Congress
Teaching
I contribute to teaching in urban planning, GIS and programming at Loughborough University. My teaching support focuses on translating spatial analysis, urban theory and computational methods into practical, research-led learning activities.
Undergraduate
- Guest lecture for Advanced Urban Planning Theory: The 15-minute city and its associated theories
- Part B Urban Planning: QGIS Software Tutorial
- STEMLab MATLAB demonstrating and Part A MATLAB Programming Skills support, including software demonstrations, technical troubleshooting and classroom support
Profile
I joined Loughborough University in October 2022 as a doctoral researcher in the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, within the Transport and Urban Planning Group. My PhD research focuses on measuring pedestrian visual accessibility in 15-minute cities, using GIS, street-view imagery, computer vision and spatial network analysis to understand how the visible street environment shapes perceived walkability.
Before starting my PhD, I completed an MSc in Building and Urban Design in Development at University College London, where my dissertation explored urban agroecology and sustainable urban development in Shanghai and Lima. I also hold a BSc in Human Geography and Urban-Rural Planning from Zhejiang Gongshang University.
My professional experience includes research assistant work on digital solutions for post-war urban reconstruction, urban design project operations in Shanghai, and planning practice with Zhejiang Urban and Rural Planning Design Institute.
Professional affiliations
- Transport and Urban Planning Group, School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University
- Perceptive City Lab, Loughborough University
- The Bartlett Development Planning Unit, University College London, alumni network
Awards
- China Scholarship Council full PhD scholarship for overseas study
- University first-class scholarship, Alumni Scholarship and provincial bronze award in the Internet+ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, Zhejiang Gongshang University
External activities
- Co-organised and co-chaired the Urban Visual Intelligence workshop session at CUPUM 2025, contributing substantially to the session design, preparation and content development
- Presented research at CUPUM 2025, the 14th International Space Syntax Symposium and the 36th AESOP Annual Congress, with a forthcoming presentation at the 17th Conference on Spatial Information Theory (COSIT)
- Contributed to the UKRI Loughborough Town Deal project through research communication, facilitation of planning-related talks and cross-cultural project coordination across urban planning, computer vision and spatial analysis
- Participated in the UKRI Branching Out design sprint in York, developing interactive approaches for community engagement in treescape planning
Key collaborators
My research and enterprise activities involve collaboration with academic and stakeholder partners including Dr A. Natapov, Dr T. Larimian, the Transport and Urban Planning Group, the Perceptive City Lab, UK-Ukraine R&I Twinning partners, Loughborough Town Deal partners, and collaborators involved in the UKRI Branching Out project.