Kate Drury

Exploring the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Urban Spatial Planning: Lessons from London and Taipei.

Name: Kate Drury
Primary Supervisor: Dr Chia-Lin Chen
Year: 2
Discipline: Geography and Planning
Presentation type: Academic Poster
Project Title: Exploring the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Urban Spatial Planning: Lessons from London and Taipei.

Abstract:

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into urban spatial planning presents significant opportunities and challenges, shaping contemporary planning discourse. This thesis examines potential lessons to AI implementation in urban planning through a comparative analysis of the United Kingdom (UK) and Taiwan, with a particular focus on the role of planning culture in shaping these lessons. Recognising that AI’s incorporation into planning systems is often viewed through a technological lens, this research adopts a culturised planning model, the ‘human’ approach, to explore how national planning cultures influence the attitudes, frameworks, and policies governing AI adoption.

The study employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating policy analysis, interviews with planning professionals, and comparative case studies of London and Taipei. By analysing the interaction between AI and planning systems, this research highlights the discrepancies between formal policy structures and practical implementation. Preliminary findings in the literature review suggest that while AI-related planning challenges—such as ethical concerns, regulatory uncertainties, and professional resistance—are globally relevant, their manifestation is context-specific. Differences in planning artefacts (policy), planning environments, and societal perceptions shape AI adoption trajectories in both countries.

This thesis contributes to urban planning scholarship by demonstrating that planning culture plays a pivotal role in either facilitating or obstructing AI integration. Moving beyond traditional legal-administrative comparative studies, it underscores the importance of planners’ lived experiences and institutional routines in shaping technological adoption. Ultimately, the research provides insights for policymakers, urban planners, and AI developers, offering recommendations on how to navigate cultural and systemic barriers to enhance AI’s role in urban governance. The study’s findings have broader implications for international planning communities, illustrating the necessity of culturally sensitive AI implementation strategies in urban spatial planning.