Kheir Al-Kodmany, Ph.D.

For the last 30 years, Dr. Kheir Al-Kodmany has been a Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where his research and teaching encompass a broad spectrum of interrelated topics, including vertical urbanism, sustainable design, smart cities, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), visualization technologies, public participation, crowd management, and economic development. He has published 16 books—six single-authored, two co-authored, and eight edited—which have been lauded as “a treasure trove… almost an encyclopedia… everything you would want to know about architecture and urban design.” Google Scholar lists 150 publications with nearly 5,000 citations, an h-index of 34, and an i10-index of 66. On ResearchGate, his publications have garnered approximately 350,000 reads. In addition, he serves on the editorial boards of 20 professional journals, secured grants totaling several hundred thousand dollars, and developed advanced visualization software.

His academic standing was highlighted in the Journal of Planning Literature study, "Faculty Quality at U.S. Graduate Planning Schools, A National Research Council–Style Study," which ranked him among the top faculty in his field. Over his 30-year tenure at UIC and a five-year term at UIUC, he has received numerous accolades, including the American Planning Association Award for "Revise, Recreate, Rezone; Neighborhood Guide to Zoning" and the 2018 Best Paper Award from Buildings Journal for "The Vertical Farm: A Review of Developments and Implications for the Vertical City." Before joining UIC, Dr. Al-Kodmany gained professional experience at the renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).

Dr. Al-Kodmany has been invited by governments, mayors, and international organizations to contribute his expertise to worldwide urban planning and architectural projects. Notably, the Saudi Government enlisted his assistance in planning the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage of over 3 million people. His efforts earned international acclaim for ensuring the event’s safety and efficiency. His article, "Planning for the Hajj: Political Power, Pragmatism, and Participatory GIS", remains one of the most downloaded on Taylor and Francis' platform. Former Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago sought Dr. Al-Kodmany’s expertise for crowd management and emergency evacuation plans during the Taste of Chicago festival and the city’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Additionally, Mayor Omar Maani of Amman, Jordan, invited him to help draft a master plan for the city, which won the 2008 World Leadership Award in Town Planning.

He conducted over 200 presentations and keynote speeches at prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Tokyo University, Musashi Institute of Technology, Yokohama Campus, and Fukui Prefectural University in Japan; Tongji University, Chongqing University, Giuanxing University in China; King Abdulaziz University and Umm Al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia; Tel Aviv, and Haifa, Israel; Izmir, Turkey; University of Cairo, Egypt, University College London (UCL) and the University of Glamorgan, WALES (UGW) in the U.K., University of Berlin, Germany, and the Technological University of Panama, Panama.

Dr. Al-Kodmany has taught over 100 courses spanning diverse and critical urban planning and design topics. These include Advanced Mapping and Visualization, Urban Design, Site Planning, Spatial Planning Methods, Sustainable Cities: Skyscrapers, Geographic Information Systems for Planners, Physical Planning Methods, and the Professional Planning Seminar, among others. His teaching reflects a commitment to equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical tools for contemporary urban challenges. Dr. Al-Kodmany has contributed to a range of impactful projects (some received the APA-IL Chapter Awards), including:

• Back to the Beach: A Community-Based Approach to Sustainable Economic Development, Miller Beach, City of Gary, Indiana – A grassroots initiative focusing on sustainable strategies to revitalize economic opportunities along Gary’s beachfront.
• Gary Rising: Sustainable Economic Development Plan for Midtown – A comprehensive plan addressing economic and social revitalization in Midtown Gary.
• Re-Envisioning Chicago’s Northerly Island – An imaginative approach to rethinking the island's potential as an urban and ecological asset.
• Contrasting Urban Structures: Lower Manhattan, Midtown, and Uptown – A comparative analysis of urban forms and patterns across New York City's iconic districts.
• Spatial Analysis of the High-Line, NYC – A study exploring the transformative impact of the High Line on urban spaces and community dynamics.
• Bronzeville: A Link to the Past, a Bridge to the Future – A project emphasizing cultural heritage and sustainable development in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
• Healthy Future IMD: Building a Better Medical District – An initiative focused on enhancing the Illinois Medical District through health-oriented and sustainable planning.
• Think Like A City: A Framework Plan for Remaking Places – A forward-looking framework that integrates multidisciplinary strategies for urban regeneration.
• Oak Park: Economic Vitality Plan – A detailed plan to foster economic growth and resilience in Oak Park.

At UIC, Dr. Al-Kodmany has held significant leadership roles, including five years as Director of Graduate Studies, eight years as Associate Director of the City Design Center, and ten years as Co-Director of the Urban Data Visualization Laboratory. His pioneering work developing 3D modeling, virtual reality, GIS, and web-based mapping tools has advanced participatory planning and design. He serves/ed on the Honor College, the UIC Senate, the Senate Executive Committee, the Senate Committee for Educational Policy, the UIC Promotion & Tenure Committee, the CUPPA Educational Committee, the CUPPA Promotion & Tenure Committee, and the Spatial Planning Committee, MUPP Committee among others.

Dr. Al-Kodmany is affiliated with leading organizations such as the American Planning Association (APA), Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP), Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), and Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA). He received the ACSP Best Dissertation Award and the Outstanding Ph.D. Award, and the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Under the mentorship of Professor Robert B. Riley and J.B. Jackson, he honed his academic expertise, complementing the architectural foundation he gained from his late father, Dr. Abdul Muhsen Al-Kodmany, a Le Corbusier trainee and a graduate of École des Beaux-Arts, Paris.

Google Scholar

Books

Al-Kodmany, K. (2024). Humanizing the High-Rise City: Podiums, Plazas, Parks, Pedestrian Networks, and Public Art. Routledge, Taylor and Francis, NYC.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2020). Tall Buildings and the City: Improving the Understanding of Placemaking, Imageability, and Tourism. Springer Publisher, 529 pages. ISBN 978-981-15-6029-3

Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). The Vertical City: A Sustainable Development Model. WIT Press: Southampton, 756 pages.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2017). Understanding Tall Buildings: A Theory of Placemaking. New York, NY: Routledge. 270 pages.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2016). New Suburbanism: Sustainable Tall Building Development. New York, NY: Routledge. 308

Al-Kodmany, K. (2015). Eco-Towers: Sustainable Cities in the Sky. Southampton, UK: WIT Press. 500 pages.

Al-Kodmany, K. and Ali, Mir. (2013). The Future of the City: Tall Buildings and Urban Design. WIT Press: Southampton, UK. 445

Edited Volumes

Du, Peng, Al-Kodmany, K.; & Ali, M. M (2024). Greening High Density: Climate, Society, and Health. Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, NYC.

Al-Kodmany, K., Andrew K. Ng, Abel Tablada, Chittaranjan Kole [Eds], (2024). Vertical Farm: Scientific Advances and Technological Developments, CRC, Taylor and Francis Group.

Al-Kodmany, K., Govind, M., Khan, S., and Kole, C [Eds], (2024). Sustainable Urban Agriculture: New Frontiers. CRC, Taylor, and Francis Group.

Khan, S., Al-Kodmany, K., Farooq, F [Eds.], (2024). The Majesty of Islamic Art and Architecture. COPAL Publishing Group, New Delhi, India. ISBN: 978-93-83419-722

Kostopoulou, S., Herrera-Franco, G., Wood, J., and Al-Kodmany, K., (2023). Cities’ Vocabularies and the Sustainable Development of The Silkroads, Springer ASTI, Advances in Science, Technology, and Innovation, IEREK Series of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Al-Kodmany, K.; Du, Peng & Ali, M. M. (2022). Sustainable High-Rise Buildings: Innovation, Design, and Technology. IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) publisher, UK.

A. Brebbia and K. Al-Kodmany Editors, (2018). Eco-Architecture VII. Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature. WIT Press. Pages: 292.

Alraouf, A., Al-Jayyousi, O. Al-Kodmany, K (2025). City Re-construction and Urban Policy Innovation: Towards Sustainable Cities in the MENA Region. Routledge.

Journal Articles

Al-Kodmany, K. (2024). “Refashioning Cities in the Middle East: The Case of Dubai,” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings. March, Vol 13, No 1, pages 11-32.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2024). “Constructing Tall Buildings in China: With a Focus on Shanghai,” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings. March, Vol 13, No 1, pages 33-56.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2023). Greenery-Covered Tall Buildings: A Review. Buildings Journal, 13(9):2362. September, (53 pages).

Al-Kodmany, K. (2023). The Chicago Skyline: An Urban Design Analysis. International Journal of Architecture and Planning, 3(2), 49-80.

Al-Kodmany, K., Ali, M. M., & Armstrong, P. J. (2023). “Sustainable Tall Buildings: Summary of Energy-Efficient Design.” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings. June 2023, Vol 12, No 2, 1-14.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2023). “Tall Buildings and Elevator Technologies: Improving Energy Efficiency,” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings. June 2023, Vol 12, No 2, 1-9.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2023). “Integrating Nature into High-Rise Buildings: Innovative Design Approaches,” International Journal of Architecture and Planning, 3(1) (2023) 14-51.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2023). Elevator Technology Improvements: A Snapshot. Encyclopedia, 3(2), 530-548.

Al-Kodmany, K., (2023). Smart Elevator Systems. Journal of Mechanical Materials and Mechanics Research. 6(1): 41-53.

Ali, M. M., Al-Kodmany, K., & Armstrong, P. J. (2023). Energy Efficiency of Tall Buildings: A Global Snapshot of Innovative Design. Energies, 16(4), 2063.

Ali, M. M., and Al-Kodmany, K (2022). “Structural Systems for Tall Buildings” Encyclopedia 2, no. 3: 1260-1286.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2022). “Sustainable High-Rise Buildings: Toward Resilient Built Environment,” Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, April 4:782007.

Al-Kodmany, K., Qiuli (Charlie) Xue, and Cong Sun (2022). “Reconfiguring Vertical Urbanism: The Example of Tall Buildings and Transit-Oriented Development (TB-TOD) in Hong Kong,” Buildings Journal, 12, no. 2: 197.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2021). “Sustainable Skyscrapers: A Review of Green Features,” International Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology, 8: 22-36.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2021). “The Chicago Riverwalk: Urban Sustainability Lessons,” International Journal of Architectural Research, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 449-466.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2020). “Rethinking Urban Density through Chicago Experience: A Socio-Ecological Practice Approach,” Socio-Ecological Practice Research,

Al-Kodmany, K. (2019). “Improving the Understanding of City Spaces for Tourism Applications,” Buildings Journal, August 2019, Vol 9, No 8, 2019. Pages. 1-25.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2019). “Social Media and Popular Places: The Case of Chicago,” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings. June 2019, Vol. 8, No. 2. Pages125-136. Published: 2019.06.01

https://doi.org/10.21022/IJHRB.2019.8.2.125

Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). “Skyscrapers in the Twenty-First Century City: A Global Snapshot.” Buildings, 8(12) 175; 45 pages.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/8/12/175

Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). “The Sustainable City: Practical Planning and Design Approaches”, Journal of Urban Technology. Vol. 25, No. 4, Pages 95-100. DOI: 10.1080/10630732.2018.1521584

Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). “New Suburbanism: Sustainable Spatial Patterns of Tall buildings.” Buildings, 8(9) 127; 33 pages. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings8090127 (registering DOI)

http://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/8/9/127

Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). “Planning Guidelines for Enhancing Placemaking with Tall Buildings.” International Journal of Architectural Research, Vol. 12, No.2. (05-23); DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26687/archnet-ijar.v12i2.1493

Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). “Sustainability and the 21st Century Vertical City: A Review of Design Approaches of Tall Buildings.” Buildings, 8(8), 24; 40 pages. doi:10.3390/buildings8020024. http://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/8/8/102

Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). “The Vertical Farm: A Review of Developments and Implications for the Vertical City.” Buildings 2018, 8(2), 24; doi:10.3390/buildings8020024.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2018). “The Sustainability of Tall Building Developments: A Conceptual Framework. Buildings 2018, 8(1), 7; doi:10.3390/buildings8010007.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2016). “Sustainable Tall Buildings: Cases from the Global South,” International Journal of Architectural Research, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 52-66.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2016). “Diagrid Towers: A New Placemaking Paradigm.” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings, December, 2016, Vol. 15, No 4, pp. 271-291.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2015). “Tall Buildings and Elevators: A Review of Recent Technological Advances,” Buildings, 5, pp. 1070-1104.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2014). “Green Retrofitting Skyscrapers: A Review.” Buildings, Vol. 4, pp. 683-710.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2014). “Green Towers and Iconic Design: Cases from Three Continents.”

International Journal of Architecture Research. Vol. 8, No. 1. pp. 11-28.

Khozaei, F., A. Husaini, and Al-Kodmany, K. (2014). “Examination of Student Housing Preferences, Their Similarities and Differences.” Facilities, Vol. 30, No. 3. pp. 708-722.

Al-Kodmany, K. and Ali, M. (2013). “Importing Exceptional Buildings: Transforming Urban Arabian Peninsula into Skyscraper Cities.” Open House International. Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 101-110.

Al-Kodmany, K., Ali, M., and Zhang, T (2013). “Importing Urban Giants: Re-Imaging Shanghai and Dubai with Skyscrapers.” International Journal of Architecture Research. Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 22-42.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2013). “Crowd Management and Urban Design: New Scientific Approaches.” The Journal of Urban Design International. Vol. 18, No.4, pp. 282–295.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2013). “The Visual Integration of Tall Buildings: New Technologies and the City Skyline.” The Journal of Urban Technology. Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 25-44. 

Al-Kodmany, K. (2013). “Placemaking in the High-Rise City: Architectural and urban design analyses.” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings. Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 153-169.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2012). “Sustainable Tall Buildings: Toward a Comprehensive Design Approach.” International Journal of Sustainable Design. Vol. 2, No. 1, pp.1–23.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2012). “Guidelines for Tall Buildings Development.” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings. Vol. 1, No 4, pp. 255-269.

Ali, M. M., and Al-Kodmany, K. (2012). “Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat of the 21st Century: A Global Perspective.” Buildings Journal, Spatial Issue, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 384-423.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2012). “Utilizing GIS in Nonprofit Organizations for Urban Planning Applications: Experiences from the Field,” Journal of Geographic Information Systems, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 279-297.

Al-Kodmany, K., Betancur, J., and Vidyarthi, S. (2012). “E-Civic Engagement and the Youth: New Frontiers and Challenges,” International Journal of E-Planning Research. Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 88-105.

Al-Kodmany, K. and Ali, M. (2012). “Skyscrapers and Placemaking: Supporting Local Culture and Identity.” International Journal of Architectural Research. Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 43- 64.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2012). “The Logic of Vertical Density: Tall Buildings in the 21st Century City,” International Journal of High-Rise Buildings. Vol. 1, No 2, pp. 131-148.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2011). “Tall Buildings, Design, and Technology: Visions for the Twenty- First Century City.” The Journal of Urban Technology, Vol. 18, No 3, pp. 113-138.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2011). “Placemaking by Tall Buildings.” The Journal of Urban Design International. Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 252–269.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2011). “Planning for Safety: The Case of Stoning of the Devil in Hajj.” The Journal of Architectural and Planning Research. Vol. 28, No.1, pp. 28-44.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2010). “Eco-Iconic Skyscrapers: Review of New Design Approaches.” International Journal of Sustainable Design. Vol. 1, No. 3. pp. 314-334.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2009). “Planning for the Hajj: Political Power, Pragmatism, and GIS.” Journal of Urban Technology, Vol. 16, No. 1. August, pp. 4-45.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2007). “Creative Approaches for Augmenting Two-Way Spatial Communication and GIS,” in GIS Development, Vol. 3, Issue 12, pp. 33-37.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2002). “Visualization Tools and Methods in Community Planning: From Freehand Sketches to Virtual Reality.” Journal of Planning Literature. Volume 17, No. 2, pp.189-211.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2001). “Supporting Imageability on the World Wide Web (WWW): Lynch’s Five Elements of the City in Community Planning.” Journal of Planning and Environment B: Planning and Design. Vol. 28, pp. 805-832.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2001). “Bridging the Gap between Technical and Local Knowledge: Tools for Promoting Community-Based Planning and Design.” Journal of Architecture and Planning Research. Vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 110-130.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2001). “Visualization Tools and Methods for Participatory Planning and Design.” Journal of Urban Technology. Vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 1-37.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2001). “Online Tools for Public Participation.” Journal of Government Information Quarterly. Vol. 18, No. 4l, pp. 329-341.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2000). “Women’s Visual Privacy in Traditional and Modern Neighborhoods in Damascus.” The Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, 17:4 Winter.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2000). “Extending Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Meet Neighborhood Planning Needs: The Case of Three Chicago Communities”. Journal of Urban and Regional Planning Systems. Vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 19-37.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2000). “Public Participation, Technology, and Democracy.” Journal of Architecture Education. Vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 220-228.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2000). “GIS in the Urban Landscape: Reconfiguring Neighborhood Planning and Design Processes.” Journal of Landscape Research. Vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 5-28.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2000). “Using Web-Based Technologies and Geographic Information Systems in Community Planning.” Journal of Urban Technology. Vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1-30.

Al-Kodmany, K. (2000). Expanded Online Version of “Using Web-Based Technologies and Geographic Information Systems in Community Planning.” Journal of Urban Technology. Vol. 7, no. 1.

Al-Kodmany, K. (1999). “Using Visualization Techniques for Enhancing Public Participation in Planning and Design: Process, Participation, and Evaluation.” Landscape and Urban Planning, An International Journal of Landscape Ecology, Landscape Planning and Landscape Design. Vol. 45. no. 1, pp. 37-45.

Al-Kodmany, K. (1999). “Residential Visual Privacy: Traditional and Modern Architecture and Urban Design.” Journal of Urban Design.” Vol. 4, no 3. pp. 283-311.

Al-Kodmany, K. (1999). “University-Community Partnerships: Unleashing Technical and Local Expertise.” Journal of Urban Technology. Vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 39-63.

Al-Kodmany, K. (1999). “Combining Digital and Traditional Visualization Techniques in Community-Based Planning and Design.” Journal of Digital Creativity. Vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 91-103.GIS

Al-Kodmany, K. (1999). “Combing Artistry and Technology in Participatory Community Planning.” Berkeley Planning Journal. Vol. 13, no.1, pp.28-36.

Al-Kodmany, K. (1999). “Visualization Tools and Public Participation: From Crayons to Computers.” Critical Planning Journal. Vol. 6, no.1, pp. 27-35. 

Al-Kodmany, K., George, V., Marks, A., Skach, J. (1999). “A Case Study of Teaching an Urban Design Course on Two Campuses Simultaneously.” Asynchronous Learning Network (ALN) Vol. 3, no 1.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Doctor of Philosophy in Urban and Regional Planning (1995).
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Master of Architecture (1989).