Stefan Al
Associate Professor of Urban Design
Stefan Al is a Dutch architect, urban designer, and Associate Professor of Urban Design at the University of Pennsylvania. He has published various books about contemporary urbanization, including Factory Towns of South China, Villages in the City, and Mall City, and has written a forthcoming book about Las Vegas architecture, The Strip. In an international career to date, Al has worked as a practicing architect on renowned projects such as the 2,000-feet high Canton Tower. He also served as an advisor to governments including Hong Kong, consulting on the development of the city's harbor and external lighting guidelines.
Dr. Al’s research investigates new forms of urban expansion, including industrial areas, entertainment districts, and high-density developments. Through a global and multi-disciplinary perspective, his work raises questions about architecture, sustainability and urban life. Villages in the City, his book about Chinese informal settlements, was named by Architectural Record as “one of the best” books on informal urbanism, and “a fabulous piece of architecture and design graphica.” He currently works on further documenting informal settlements with unmanned aerial vehicles and digital mapping techniques in order to enhance understanding and raise awareness on improving living conditions.
