Rate My Professor Isara Khanjanasthiti

Dr Isara Khanjanasthiti is a Senior Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning within the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of New England (UNE), where he commenced his appointment in January 2022. He earned all his tertiary qualifications from Bond University, including a PhD, a Master of Urban Planning awarded with High Distinction, and a Bachelor of Urban Development and Planning. Prior to joining UNE, Khanjanasthiti taught and researched at Bond University for ten years. His research specializations include smart cities, contemporary housing markets and design trends amid affordability crises, master-planned communities, sustainable campuses, active and healthy living, knowledge-based urban development, climate change adaptation, aviation policy, housing governance, cross-border governance, and the role of airports in fostering sustainable outcomes for surrounding communities. He has conducted external research consultancies and collaborated on cross-disciplinary projects.

Khanjanasthiti has received several grants and honors, including the University of New England’s 2022 Early Career Researcher Grant ($3,000), an Early Career Travel Grant ($7,000) from the Institute of Australian Geographers (2024), the Australian Postgraduate Award (2014-2016), ResearchMaster Student Sponsorship Award (2014), Minister’s Town Planning Prize (Runner-up, 2012), Mirvac School of Sustainable Development Capstone Project Award (2010), HASSELL Prize for Best Graduating Undergraduate Student in Urban Planning and Design (2010), and Bond University Dean’s Scholarships (2008-2011). Key publications comprise 'Towards More Sustainable Planning Decisions Around Airports: Investigating Global Airport Classifications and Proposing a Four-Tiered System for Australia' (2025), 'Cross-Border Planning for Promoting Economic Development: A Case Study of Gold Coast Airport, Australia' (2025), 'Multi-Sectoral Systems Approach (MSSA) to Addressing Australian Social and Affordable Housing Challenges and Solutions: White Paper No. 1' (2024), 'Communication is a fundamental component of a ‘good’ planning system' (2024), and '‘Tree-change’ migration and its housing impact on Armidale: another pandemic legacy?' (2022). His scholarship has garnered 61 citations. He coordinates units such as Introduction to Planning History and Theory (GEPL121), Principles of Development Control (GEPL320/420/520), and Transport and Land Use Planning (GEPL350/450/550). Khanjanasthiti holds committee roles including Departmental Representative on the HASS Research Committee (2022-2025), HASS Advocacy and Assessment Committee (2022-2023), and editorial positions with the Planning Institute of Australia’s New Planner (Lead Editor for December 2022 and June 2026 editions). He is a full member of the Planning Institute of Australia since 2022 and the Institute of Australian Geographers since 2023.