Hi, I’m Cai Wu

I am a PhD candidate at the University of Twente exploring how urban morphology and street networks shape city life.

My work bridges spatial data science, geospatial AI, and design thinking to translate complex spatial patterns into actionable insights for planners and citizens.

I am always open to collaborating on street-network analytics, urban form quantification, and data-driven planning tools.

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Currently a visiting scholar at the Urban Analytics Lab, NUS

Biography

Dr. Cai Wu is currently an Assistant Professor in the Urban Governance and Design Thrust at the Society Hub of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) and leads the Urban Morphology Studio. With a background in architecture, urban analytics and GIS, he holds degrees from the National University of Singapore, University College London, and the University of Twente.

Dr. Wu’s research spans the interdisciplinary fields of architecture, geographic information science, and urban informatics. He focuses on integrating data with emerging quantitative methods to understand urban forms and their relationship with urban activities, providing decision support for urban design and renewal. His team is currently recruiting PhDs, Masters, and Research Assistants.

Interests
  • Urban Morphology
  • Street Network
  • Urban Big Data
  • GIS and Machine Learning
Education

  • PhD in Urban Analysis and Design, 2024

    University of Twente, Netherlands

  • MSc in Smart Cities and Urban Analytics, 2019

    University College London, United Kingdom

  • BA in Architecture (Honours), 2017

    National University of Singapore, Singapore

News

05-2024 | Website refreshed with new hero and news page updates!
04-2024 | New paper published on ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information!
03-2024 | New paper published on Computers, Environment and Urban Systems!
01-2024 | Joined Urban Analytics Lab, NUS as a visitng scholar!

All Publications

Cai Wu, Jiong Wang, Mingshu Wang, Menno-Jan Kraak (2024). Machine learning-based characterisation of urban morphology with the street pattern. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems.

Cite DOI

Cai Wu, Yanwen Wang, Jiong Wang, Menno-Jan Kraak, Mingshu Wang (2024). Mapping Street Patterns with Network Science and Supervised Machine Learning. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information.

Cite DOI URL

Cai Wu, Jiong Wang, Menno-Jan Kraak (2023). Urban spatial structure from a street network perspective: mapping street patterns with random forest classification. 18th International Conference on Computational Urban Planning and Urban Management, CUPUM 2023.

Cite URL

Wufan Zhao, Mengmeng Li, Cai Wu, Wen Zhou, Guozhong Chu (2022). Identifying Urban Functional Regions from High-Resolution Satellite Images Using a Context-Aware Segmentation Network. Remote Sensing 2022, Vol. 14, Page 3996.

Cite DOI URL

Cai Wu, Duncan Smith, Mingshu Wang (2021). Simulating the urban spatial structure with spatial interaction: A case study of urban polycentricity under different scenarios. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems.

Cite DOI URL

Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Visiting Scholar
Urban Analytics Lab, National University of Singapore
January 2024 – Present Singapore
  • Project: Understanding the neighbourhood’s pedestrian dynamic with computer vision-based walkability and street network analytics.
  • Supervisors: Dr. Filip Biljecki
 
 
 
 
 
Assistant-in-Opleiding (AiO)
University of Twente
January 2020 – December 2023 Enschede

Teaching Assistant:

  • 202001419-1A Course 1: GIS and RS or Geospatial Solutions
  • 202001419-1A Course 2: Geospatial Data: Concepts, Acquisition and Management
  • 202001419-1A Course 3: Geospatial Analysis and Interpretation
  • HTHT GIS Minor
 
 
 
 
 
UI/UX Designer
Sea Group
December 2016 – June 2018 Singapore
  • Transform product requirements into mock-ups and solid UI/UX design.
  • Design data visualisation platform for restaurants’ daily performance and backend operation analysis.
 
 
 
 
 
Intern Urban Designer
Woods Bagot
May 2015 – August 2015 Beijing
  • Comprehensive concept and field research for an urban design project in Beijing.
  • Concept design and modelling for polit development.