About Me
Dr. Ahoura Zandi is an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at San José State University, where he serves as the founding director of the Spatial Analytics and Visualization Institute and the Master of Science in Geographic Information Science program. His research focuses on leveraging geospatial analytical techniques to map high-tech zones and understand how urban form influences the knowledge economy, innovation, and social equity. In addition to publishing in premier journals such as Urban Studies and Cities, he authored the book Urban High-Technology Zones, which provides quantitative insights into the impacts of tech clusters. Before joining San José State University, he was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he developed impactful public mapping projects concerning public health and community resources. His work has earned prestigious accolades, including the People’s Choice Best Research Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning and the EPA Campus RainWorks Challenge. Recognized for his contributions to urban policy by the Office of the Governor of Illinois, Dr. Zandi continues to bridge the gap between advanced data science and practical city planning.
