Back to
Dr Mike Harris

Dr Mike Harris

Senior Lecturer
Arts, Design & Architecture (ADA)
School of Built Environment

Mike is Associate Director of Mobility with the City Futures Research Centre and Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture and Urban Design at UNSW’s School of Built Environment. With a professional background in public domain and urban design practice, and over a decade in academia, he brings a pragmatic, applied perspective to research and teaching. His work focuses on policy, governance, network planning, and streetscape design to help normalise micromobility as a safe, convenient, and enjoyable everyday mode of travel. He also investigates precinct- and neighbourhood-scale urban projects, examining how large-scale initiatives are reconciled with strategic infrastructure delivery, liveability objectives, and equitable urban access. Alongside his academic research, Mike advises government and private sector clients on micromobility planning and infrastructure design.
E-mail
mike.harris@unsw.edu.au
  • Books | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4
  • Book Chapters | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, 'Barangaroo, Sydney', in Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 223 - 279, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4_6
    Book Chapters | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, 'Battery Park City, New York', in Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 23 - 68, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4_2
    Book Chapters | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, 'Conclusions', in Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 329 - 363, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4_8
    Book Chapters | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, 'Docklands, Melbourne', in Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 125 - 169, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4_4
    Book Chapters | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, 'Hudson Yards, New York', in Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 171 - 222, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4_5
    Book Chapters | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, 'Introduction', in Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 1 - 21, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4_1
    Book Chapters | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, 'North Harbour, Copenhagen', in Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 281 - 328, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4_7
    Book Chapters | 2025
    Harris MS, 2025, 'Ørestad, Copenhagen', in Mixed-Use Megaprojects and the Competitive City, Springer Nature Singapore, pp. 69 - 124, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4483-4_3
    Book Chapters | 2022
    Harris M, 2022, 'Bicycle infrastructure and street politics Sydneys flagship cycleway to covid-19 pop-ups', in Routledge Handbook of Urban Landscape Research, pp. 50 - 64, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003109563-6
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Harris M, 2018, 'Coding the "Authenti-city": North Harbour and the Århusgade Quarter, Copenhagen', in Laura L; Shannon B (ed.), Planning for AuthentiCITIES, edn. 1, Routledge, New York, pp. 287 - 308
    Book Chapters | 2018
    Harris MS, 2018, 'Barangaroo: Machiavellian megaproject or erosion of intent?', in Ruming K (ed.), Urban Regeneration in Australia Policies, Processes and Projects of Contemporary Urban Change, Routledge, New York, pp. 111 - 134, http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315548722
  • Journal articles | 2025
    Evans C; Harris MS; Taufen A; Livesley SJ; Crommelin L, 2025, 'What does it mean for a transitioning urban waterfront to “work” from a sustainability perspective?', Journal of Urbanism, 18, pp. 349 - 372, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17549175.2022.2142648
    Journal articles | 2025
    Harris MS; Harvey J; Roberts L; Lee JB; Pettit C, 2025, 'Community perceptions on the contribution of bicycle paths to street quality in cities new to cycling infrastructure', Case Studies on Transport Policy, 21, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101560
    Journal articles | 2024
    Winters M; Fuller D; Cloutier MS; Harris MA; Howard A; Kestens Y; Kirk S; Macpherson A; Moore S; Rothman L; Shareck M; Tomasone JR; Laberee K; Stephens ZP; Sones M; Ayton D; Batomen B; Bell S; Collins P; Diab E; Giles AR; Hagel BE; Harris MS; Harris P; Lachapelle U; Manaugh K; Mitra R; Muhajarine N; Myrdahl TM; Pettit CJ; Pike I; Skouteris H; Wachsmuth D; Whitehurst D; Beck B, 2024, 'Building CapaCITY/É for sustainable transportation: protocol for an implementation science research program in healthy cities', BMJ Open, 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085850
    Journal articles | 2023
    Harris M; McCue P, 2023, 'Pop-Up Cycleways: How a COVID-19 “Policy Window” Changed the Relationship Between Urban Planning, Transport, and Health in Sydney, Australia', Journal of the American Planning Association, 89, pp. 240 - 252, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2022.2061578
    Journal articles | 2021
    Hawken S; Avazpour B; Harris M; Marzban A; Munro PG, 2021, 'Urban megaprojects and water justice in Southeast Asia: Between global economies and community transitions', Cities, 113, pp. 103068 - 103068, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.103068
    Journal articles | 2017
    Harris MS, 2017, 'Competitive Precinct Projects: The five consistent criticisms of “global” mixed-use megaprojects', Project Management Journal, 48, pp. 76 - 92
  • Reports | 2021
    Roberts L; Harris M, 2021, Designing for the ‘Interested but Concerned’: A literature review on cycling infrastructure design
    Reports | 2019
    Harris M, 2019, Hornsby Park Access & Circulation Investigation
    Reports | 2019
    Hawken S; Avazpour B; Harris M; Marzban A, 2019, The Impacts of Urban Megaprojects on Water and Sanitation Related Human Rights in Southeast Asia: Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, Urban Water Resilience Lab UNSW, UNSW Sydney, http://dx.doi.org/10.26190/5ce4abb1e863a, https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Water/MegaProjects/CSO/HawkenSAvazpourBHarrisMMarzbanA.pdf
    Reports | 2019
    Padgett Kjaersgaard S; Evans C; Harris M, 2019, Guide to Low Carbon Landscapes, http://builtbetter.org/node/7832, http://builtbetter.org/node/7832
    Reports | 2018
    Harris M, 2018, Kunshan West Slow Movement Strategy, CRC for Water Sensitive Cities
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2018
    Harris MS, 2018, UNSW BE LuminoCity Exhibition, UNSW BE LuminoCity Exhibition, 01 September 2018 - 07 December 2018, at: https://www.be.unsw.edu.au/event/luminocity-2018
    Creative Works (non-textual) | 2017
    Lochhead H; Harris M; Evans C; Tyrell M; Padgett Kjaersgaard SR, 2017, 2017 International Festival of Landscape Architecture, 2017 International Festival of Landscape Architecture, Overseas Passenger Terminal Circular Quay, 13 October 2017 - 14 October 2017, medium: Conference, at: http://www.aila.org.au/the3rdcity
    Creative Written Works | 2016
    Harris MS, 2016, Reconfiguring Sydney Streets: Copenhagen case studies and Sydney adaptations, Reconfiguring Sydney Streets: Copenhagen case studies and Sydney adaptations, Sustainable Transport Consultants, http://sustainabletransport.com.au/Documents/ReconfiguringSydneyStreets2019-WEB.pdf
    Creative Written Works | 2014
    Harris M; Simpson R; Phibbs P; Walton J, 2014, A guide to achieving good outcomes in precincts (the Bays in particular), The Fifth Estate, https://www.thefifthestate.com.au/articles/a-guide-to-precincts-the-bays-in-particular-to-achieve-good-outcomes/70572/

2026-2029 Project Delivery Harmonisation for Urban Micromobility Infrastructure
Project Partners: Australian Research Council, Vivendi Cities, Committee for Sydney, Cycling and Walking Australia and New Zealand (CWANZ), Transport for NSW
UNSW CIs: Mike Harris
Grant value: $365,100

2021-2023 Interactively Visualising Street Design Scenarios for Communicating Bike Infrastructure Options to Communities and Policymakers
Project Partners: Transport for NSW, iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre 
UNSW CIs: Mike Harris (lead), Chris Pettit, Brian Lee, Vinayak Dixit
Grant value: $300,000

2019-2020 Hornsby Quarry Park Sustainable Access and Circulation Investigation
Project Partner: Hornsby Shire Council
UNSW CI: Mike Harris
Grant value: $49,800

2019 Guide to Low Carbon Landscapes
Project Partner: Collaborative research Centre (CRC) for Low Carbon Landscapes
UNSW CIs: Sara Padget-Kjearsgaard (lead), Mike Harris, Catherine Evans
Grant value: $10,000

2018 Kunshan West Slow Movement Strategy
Project Partner: Collaborative research Centre (CRC) for Water Sensitive Cities & Realm Studios
UNSW CI: Mike Harris
Grant value: $5,200

AWARDS & HONOURS

2021 - Cycling advisor on one of three teams shortlisted for the Sydney Harbour Bridge Northern Cycleway Ramp design competition, with Realm Studios.

2020 - Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Award for Research, Policy and Communication: CRC For Low Carbon Living: Guide to Low Carbon Landscapes

2014-2015 - Waverley Council Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee

2014 - Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) Postgraduate Scholarship

2014 - Urban and Regional Planning Research Scholarship “Awarded every alternate year to a commencing Doctor of Philosophy student of exceptional research promise, with a focus on city form and urban infrastructure.” 

2014 - Lindsay Robertson Memorial Award  “Awarded every alternate year to encourage a UNSW graduate in Landscape Architecture to undertake postgraduate study or research in Australia or overseas.”

2013 - Marjory and Lloyd Rees Prize for Urban Design

2013 - Invited as keynote speaker at UK national conference 'Cycle City' in Birmingham

2012 - Invited speaker and facilitator on urban mobility at the BMW Guggenheim Lab in Berlin: "A mobile laboratory travelling around the world to inspire innovative ideas for urban design and urban life."

2009 - Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Future Leaders Awards

2007 - Hassell Travelling Scholarship “Awarded by HASSELL panel of directors for best graduating Landscape Architecture design project in Australia.”

My Research Supervision

Ela Glogowska - The cultural potential of the public square. The formation, use and meaning of urban public space in a densifying Sydney.

Josh Hernandez - Enabling the implementation of urban sound planning.

Kevin Cherian - Mega-events and Global Cities: Planning towards Sustainable Global Cities.

My Teaching

LAND2411 Urban Landscape Design Studio

LAND2421 Urban Public Domain Studio

LAND7201 Public Realm Studio