John Zacharias

Dr John Zacharias grew up in Western Canada, studying at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of British Columbia (UBC). Following graduation, he served for many years as a planner and consultant with the City of Vancouver and the Government of British Columbia. In 1991, he obtained a Doctorate in Urban Planning (PhD) from the University of Montréal. During his doctoral studies, he taught urban planning studio courses for the university's Urban Planning program. He joined Concordia University in Canada as a faculty member in 1990, serving as Director of the Urban Studies Program from 1992 to 2007 and Head of the Department of Geography, Environment and Planning from 2002 to 2005. He is currently a Distinguished Professor at Peking University.

Dr Zakarias' research interests span behavioural and environmental design, urban non-motorised transport, pedestrian environment dynamics, and environmental preferences within the built environment. Integrating research with teaching, he delivers courses on behavioural and environmental design, environmental impact assessment, urban development, and advanced urban experimental research. His established Pedestrian Behaviour Simulation Laboratory has operated continuously for 11 years. In recent years, his research has closely aligned with China's urban development, focusing particularly on transport infrastructure and mixed-use development in city centres. Drawing on extensive empirical studies in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Tianjin, his work has yielded valuable insights for these cities' urban planning.

As outcomes of his long-term research, Dr Zakarias has published nearly 30 influential papers in internationally renowned journals including Environment and Behaviour, Landscape and Urban Planning, and Transportation, alongside two monographs.

Teaching Experience

2002–present: Professor

2002–2005: Head of Department, Department of Geography, Environment and Planning, Concordia University

1995–2002 Associate Professor, Concordia University

1992–2007 Program Director, Urban Studies, Concordia University

1991–1994 Assistant Professor, Concordia University

1990–1991 Lecturer, Urban Studies, Concordia University

1987–1990 Lecturer, Institute of Urban Planning, Université de Montréal