I am a PhD candidate in Architecture at the National University of Singapore. My research examines the relationship between the built environment and everyday social interaction, with a particular focus on children and older adults in neighbourhood public spaces.
With a background in architecture and urban design, I combine behavioural observation, computer vision, spatial analysis, surveys and interviews to understand how people use and experience these spaces. My broader interests include age-inclusive urban environments, social wellbeing and the role of public space in community life. Through design, teaching and community engagement, I connect these research interests with urban planning and design practice.
02 / RESEARCH
Intergenerational interaction and public space
Physical environments, social interaction and the design of age-inclusive neighbourhoods.
Doctoral research · NUS · 2021–present
Children, older adults and neighbourhood public spaces
Queenstown, Singapore
How can neighbourhood public spaces support interaction between children and older adults? My doctoral research examines this question across multiple neighbourhood public spaces in Queenstown, Singapore, considering the physical environment alongside the ways people use and experience these settings.
I designed and conducted a mixed-methods study to investigate environmental conditions that support or limit intergenerational interaction. The research brings together observations, spatial assessments and users’ accounts, with the aim of informing age-inclusive planning and design.
A glimpse of the study setting
One of the neighbourhood public spaces examined in this research, Queenstown, Singapore.Photograph by Yanhan Liu
01
Observe interaction
Behavioural observation and computer vision-assisted video analysis.
02
Read the environment
Spatial analysis and assessment of neighbourhood public spaces.
03
Understand experience
Questionnaire surveys, interviews and thematic analysis.
Evidence synthesis · Published research
Bringing age-friendly and child-friendly perspectives together
With Leng Leng Thang and Ye Zhang, I examine where children’s and older adults’ environmental needs overlap, where they differ, and what this means for integrated urban public spaces.
Understanding the effects of physical environment factors on intergenerational co-presence and interaction in neighbourhood public spaces.
International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU 2025), Lisbon, Portugal.
2019
Liu, Y.
An affordable co-living community for migrant people in Beijing.
In Proceedings of S.Arch 2019 (pp. 365–375). Erlangen, Germany.
2018
Liu, Y., & Liao, H. X.
New Theme Land.
In Design Energy Futures: Xiong’an 1.0. School of Architecture, Syracuse University.
Manuscripts in preparation
2026
Liu, Y., Zhang, X., & Zhang, Y.*
Intergenerational interaction and the physical environment in neighbourhood public spaces: Evidence from computer vision-assisted video analysis.
In preparation.
2026
Liu, Y., Xiang, X., Thang, L. L., & Zhang, Y.*
Understanding intergenerational interaction in neighbourhood public spaces: A mixed-methods study in Singapore.
In preparation.
Academic exchange & service Invited talk, Population Association of Singapore Conference (2026) · Journal reviewer, Urban Studies.
04 / TEACHING & DESIGN
Teaching, making & thinking spatially.
Urban planning & design education
At NUS, I supported teaching in the Master of Urban Planning programme through student consultations, studio design feedback and reviews, as well as programme coordination. I also reviewed and graded coursework for Urban Design Theory.
AUG 2022 – JAN 2025
Teaching Assistant
National University of Singapore Master of Urban Planning · Educator Track Urban Design Theory
2021
Invited Guest Critic
Syracuse University MS in Architecture thesis midterm reviews
Architecture & urban design
Selected Works
Three projects, from concept to spatial proposal. Select a project to explore the drawings.
01 / 2018 · BEIJING
Suspended Co-living Community
An affordable co-living community for migrant people in Beijing
A master’s thesis exploring housing and shared spaces for migrant residents, developed through studies of co-living arrangements and adaptable residential modules.
Master’s thesis · Syracuse University Yanhan Liu · Instructor: Prof. Fei Wang
02 / 2017 · XIONG’AN
New Theme Land
A collaborative graduate studio proposal exploring new patterns of living and urban programmes for millennials in Xiong’an.
Role: team member · Syracuse University Team: Chieh Wei Chiang, Chien Yen Ku, HaoXiang Liao & YanHan Liu Instructor: Prof. Fei Wang
03 / 2016 · JINAN
The Edge of Poetry
A design proposal for the renovation of the D-17 Brewage Factory, exploring new uses, circulation and public spaces within an industrial site.
Shandong Province Students’ Architectural Design Competition Work from Yanhan Liu’s portfolio
Professional & exhibition experience
As an Assistant Researcher at URBANUS (2019–2020), I contributed to the Chegongmiao Public Space Renewal project in Shenzhen through spatial research, stakeholder consultations and design development.
At Syracuse University (2018–2019), I produced drawings for faculty-led design projects and coordinated project materials for the team’s 2018 Time·Space·Existence exhibition in Venice.
Selected exhibitions, as part of project teams: Brasilia 2050: Future’s Future, Shenzhen Biennale (2019); Xiong’An, the City for the Future, Seoul Biennale (2019); Time·Space·Existence, Venice (2018).
05 / CV & CONTACT
Let’s stay in conversation.
For conversations about intergenerational interaction, public space, research and design education.
