Khondokar Mohammad Nahiduzzaman

Professor Nahiduzzaman is an urban planner and interdisciplinary academic. Prior to joining School of Architecture, Planning & Design (SAP+D) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) [Morocco], he held faculty positions at Faculty of Applied Science in the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan [Canada], Dept. of City and Regional Planning in King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) [Saudi Arabia], and the Dept. of Urban Planning and the Environment in the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) [Sweden]. He obtained his Ph.D. from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) [Sweden], M.Phil. from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) [Norway], and Bachelor's degree from Khulna University (KU) [Bangladesh]. Thus, his educational and research experience spans planning contexts across the Nordic, Middle Eastern, Asian and Canadian landscapes. The robustness of his research and teaching is rooted in interdisciplinary collaborations with academic peers, industry partners, and local communities.

He has been a research fellow at ADBI (Asian Development Bank Institute), Japan, NIAS (Nordic Institute of Asian Studies) in Copenhagen [Denmark] and Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Brown University [USA].

Prof. Nahid's primary pursuits in both teaching and research revolve around urban resilience, transformative planning and sustainability. Among other accomplishments, he co-led a timely project conducted in partnership with BC Real Estate Foundation (BCREA) funded by Real Estate Foundation BC [REFBC] through the Mitacs Accelerate Program. This project employed a community-based planning approach, focusing on spatial transformation, resilient flood infrastructure policies, and regulatory strategies. The project's outcomes have significantly influenced the revision of planning policies and infrastructure investment methods for Municipal, Provincial, and First Nations governments across BC. A previous project in collaboration with the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) identified gaps in planning methods, regulations, and policies to enhance flood infrastructure resilience across Okanagan valley communities. Some of his notable grants are funded by DFID [UK], British Council [UK], Brown University [USA], Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), KACST/NSTIP [Saudi Arabia], KACARE [Saudi Arabia], Miacs Accelerate Program, SSHRC, NSERC Alliance and industrial partners in BC, e.g., REFBC, City of Kelowna, Central Okanagan Land Trust, West Bank First Nations, Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), etc.

He along with colleagues and parters is spearheadeding a grant application that explores a sustainability-focused and inclusive planning approach for Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Regional Park in the Okanagan Valley. Furthermore, he led the "Urban Resilience" program at UBCO, which merges various academic disciplines with practical application. This initiative is firmly grounded in the principles of resilient infrastructure and transformative planning. He has successfully obtained significant research grants, both nationally and internationally, totaling over C$3 million. His grant acquisitions have been characterized by collaboration and interdisciplinarity, involving partnerships with local, national, and global entities.

Prof. Nahid has been a distinguished speaker in many international fora, notably NATO Advance Research Workshop (NATO ARW) “Achieving Sustainability in Ukraine through Military Brownfields Redevelopment” (Dec 18-21, 2023), ICCCASU5 international conference “Financing African Cities: Infrastructure, Land Management & Markets” (Dec 10-17, 2023) Nairobi, Kenya, World Urban Forum 2022 (WUF 11), Katowice [Poland], “Post-Pandemic Urban Trends” (November 27, 2023) at King Salman Center for Local Government, Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], etc. In the pursuit of community engagement, he held positions of influence within esteemed Canadian academic platforms focused on urban planning and studies. To mention a few, He is a recognized member of the "Sustainability" group, and the "UBCO Master Plan 2040". Furthermore, he served as a steering committee member for the "Non-structural Flood Mitigation" project at RDCO. In these roles, he led and collaborated closely with key industry partners, as well as colleagues from various departments at UBCO, local and Provincial governments, and First Nations communities. Additionally, he serves as a scientific core committee member for the ICCCASU (International Conference on Canadian, Chinese, and African Sustainable Urbanization) – a SSHRC funded project in conjunction with UN-Habitat, McGill University, University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and Peking University [China]. His collaborative efforts extend internationally, encompassing leading researchers from North America, Europe, Middle-east, Australia, Africa, and Asia.

Prof. Nahid serves both an "Executive Editor" and "Book Review Editor" for the Journal of Urban Management (Elsevier). Additionally, he holds a position on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Urban Planning and Development (ASCE). Recently, he has taken the role of the Editor-in-Chief for the "City Development: Issues and Best Practices" Journal. Throughout his career, he has acted as a guest editor for several esteemed journals in the field of urban planning and environmental studies, with some special issues still open for submissions. As a scientific contributor, he regularly participates in the Western Regional Science Association (WRSA) and the Urban Affairs Association (UAA) in the USA, as well as the Association of European Schools of Planning.

He has authored over 90 scientific papers, featured in highly regarded journals, books, conferences, and scientific proceedings. A co-edited book of mine, titled“The Regional City: Sustainable Regions and Communities of Place”, has become an important reference for graduate students at the Dept. Of Urban Planning and the Environment KTH, Sweden. Furthermore, he is the initiator and editor of the forthcoming book“Making Sense of Planning and Development in Post-Pandemic Cities”, which is part of the Springer Book Series“City Development: Issues and Best Practices”. This publication is anticipated to be out in the 1st quarter of 2024. Among others, he guest edited special issues with Environmental Reviews, Journal of Urban Management, Sustainability, Land, Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, etc.

Stay tuned!
Nahid