iAdapt — International Center for Adaptation Planning and Design

Advance AI-enabled planning, resilient mobility, and climate adaptation for the cities of tomorrow.

About iAdapt

iAdapt is an interdisciplinary research center at the University of Florida focused on urban planning AI, urban mobility, and climate adaptation. Our research examines how AI can support and automate parts of the planning and decision-making process, how emerging mobility technologies are reshaping cities, and how communities can become more resilient to climate change. We bring together scholars, practitioners, and students to develop new methods, tools, and knowledge for resilient, sustainable communities.

What We Do

1. Advance Planning Theory and Technology

Our research advances planning theory by developing new frameworks and methods for understanding and responding to changes in the built and natural environment.

2. Educate Future Planners and Researchers

We mentor Ph.D., master’s, and undergraduate students through hands-on research projects, cultivating the next generation of planners and researchers.

3. Serve Communities and Policymakers

We partner with local governments, agencies, and coastal communities, providing research, data, and planning guidance that help them build more resilient communities.

News & Events

Table showing four types of urban planning AI, their roles, and planner/AI collaboration. Diagrams illustrate agent/planner relationships as loops, with increasing AI autonomy from out-of-the-loop to planner-out-of-the-loop.

From “Smarter Models” to “More Accountable Decisions”: Human-AI Symbiosis in Urban Planning in the Digital Intelligence Era

Editor’s Introduction The 10th “Chengyuan Cup Planning Decision Support Model Design Competition” is now underway. This year’s competition focuses on land and space governance for ecological civilization and high quality urban development. It continues to support digital technology driven planning innovation and academic exchange in quantitative planning research. For this…

From Pathway to Symbiosis: Rethinking Urban Planning in the Age of AI

This feature interview traces eight years of research by Professor Zhong-Ren Peng of the University of Florida on artificial intelligence and urban planning. It follows his path from the four-stage typology of urban planning AI proposed in the “Pathway” paper to Symbiotic Planning Theory and the CORE framework for governed…

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Symbiotic Planning Theory: The CORE Framework for Human–AI Cocreation in Urban Planning

A new JAPA article by Zhong-Ren Peng and collaborators introduces the CORE framework for accountable human–AI collaboration in urban planning.

Urban Planning AI

We investigate how AI can collaborate with planners, support plan-making and decision-making, and facilitate responsible planning automation. Our research also examines human–AI interaction and develops governance frameworks for transparent, accountable, and effective Urban Planning AI.

Explore Urban Planning AI

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Advanced Urban Mobility

We study emerging transportation systems—including microtransit, micromobility, electrification, ridesourcing, public transit, and autonomous vehicles—and their effects on travel behavior, accessibility, and urban development. We also use AI-driven methods to evaluate the performance and resilience of mobility systems under climate hazards.

Explore Advanced Urban Mobility

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

We assess the vulnerability of communities and infrastructure to sea-level rise, hurricanes, extreme precipitation, and other climate hazards. We develop practical strategies for climate action, land-use planning, managed relocation, and long-term community resilience.

Explore Climate Adaptation and Resilience

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Our Impact

Publications

Graduate Students

Research Projects

M+

Research Grants

Career Pathways

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Become a Researcher

Pursue academic and research careers, contributing new knowledge and methods that shape the future of cities and communities.

Yanghe Liu

Assistant Professor, Ph.D.

Current Position: School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL), University of Calgary

Kaifa Lu

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Organization: Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University

Wei Zhai

Associate Professor

Organization: Department of Civil, Environmental & Construction Engineering, Texas Tech University

Yi Zhang

Transportation Planner

Organization: CTS Engineering

Haitao Yu

Transportation Analyst

Organization: Kittelson & Associates, Inc.

Jie Song

Scientist

Organization: Institute of High Performance Computing, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore

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Become a Planner

Join public agencies and planning firms to design and implement strategies that build smarter, more resilient, and more sustainable communities.

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Join Industry & Public Service

Apply your expertise in industry, technology, and nonprofit or community organizations, bringing research into practice for real-world impact.

Fei Yang

Deputy Director, Ph.D.

Organization: Zhejiang University, Urban Rural Planning & Design Institute
Chief Representative in China, the American Planning Association

Xinyu Fu

Lecturer

Organization: University of Waikato

Yujun Deng

Data Scientist, Ph.D.

Organization: Boxy Charm

Ph.D. in Urban Planning at University of Florida

All Ph.D. students are expected to obtain a master’s degree in Computer Science related fields while pursuing your doctoral degree. In another word, you will be expected to earn two degrees in four years, one in Ph.D. in Design, Construction and Planning with a concentration in Urban and Regional Planning, and the other with MS in Computer Science related fields (with the focus on AI).

This position is fully funded for four years including tuition, eligible insurance, and stipends. Furthermore, our Ph.D. program is STEM-accredited program.

Position Requirements

Master’s degree in the fields including but not limited to: Urban Planning, Transportation, Geography, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, etc.
Excellent mathematical foundations, master basic intelligent algorithms and programming skills, excel in independent research, paper writing, and communication.
Mission-driven, self-disciplined, teamwork, and good time-management skills.
Applicants with publications are preferred.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you find the answers you need quickly and easily.

Applications go through the University of Florida’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning. If you are interested in working with our lab specifically, we encourage you to reach out to Dr. Zhong-Ren Peng directly before or during the application process to discuss your research interests and fit with iAdapt’s ongoing work.

Apply Now

Yes. Admitted PhD students receive full funding, typically through a combination of assistantships, for four years, along with a tuition waiver.

No. We welcome students from a range of academic backgrounds, including geography, engineering, computer science, environmental science, and related fields. What matters most is a genuine interest in our research areas and a willingness to learn.

Not necessarily. Having some basic familiarity with coding can be helpful, but you do not need to be highly proficient. We welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds to work on our AI-related projects, and if you do not have extensive coding experience, that is completely fine. We value strong research interest and a willingness to learn, and many of the technical skills you will need can be developed during the program.

Our work centers on three main tracks: Urban Planning AI, Advanced Urban Mobility, and Climate Adaptation and Resilience. You can find more detail on each track on our Research page.

Details on coursework, faculty, and program requirements are available on the Department of Urban and Regional Planning’s website. Feel free to also reach out to our lab directly with any questions specific to iAdapt.