Extending an Integrated Urban Simulation Model for Healthy, Sustainable Cities

The challenge Cities are at the heart of some of the most pressing challenges of our time. How we design urban environments and transport systems shapes people's exposure to air pollution, noise, and traffic injury, as well as their opportunities for physical activity, access to green space, and equitable access to housing. At the same time, cities must rapidly decarbonise and adapt to a changing climate — responding not just to shifts in travel behaviour but to price shocks, extreme weather, and growing inequalities.

Evidence to guide policy decisions in this space requires tools that can capture these complex, interconnected systems. That is exactly what this project offers. The research You will join a team at Loughborough University that has developed one of the most sophisticated integrated urban simulation platforms in the world.

The SILO–MITO-MATSim modelling suite links land use, travel behaviour, and transport network assignment to simulate how the built environment shapes individual exposure to health risks and benefits — from air pollutants and noise to physical activity and green space access. This PhD offers you the opportunity to extend the modelling suite in a direction that excites you, with a focus on generating policy-relevant evidence. Possible directions include — but are not limited to: Your supervisor You will be supervised by Professor James Woodcock, who brings over 15 years of experience translating research into real-world policy impact.

His work has informed decisions at the Department for Transport, Transport for London, Active Travel England, Transport Wales, Public Health England, the World Health Organization, and C40 Cities. The Manchester model involves and ongoing collaboration with Transport for Greater Manchester. Alongside academics and researchers from across Loughborough and the East Midlands you will also have the opportunity to collaborate with leading international research groups, such as TU Munich, TU Graz, the University of Utrecht, ISGlobal (Barcelona), and TU Berlin.

Who we are looking for We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds — whether in transport engineering, public health, geography, or a related quantitative discipline. Crucially, you will need either existing skills in agent-based or transport modelling (ideally with experience in Java-based platforms such as MATSim or SILO), or a strong motivation and aptitude to develop these quickly. A genuine interest in using modelling to inform policy is essential.

Why Loughborough? Loughborough University is home to a vibrant research community with strong connections to policy, practice, and international partners. You will receive comprehensive training and be supported to develop both technical expertise and the skills to communicate your research to policy and public audiences.

At Loughborough we collaborate across Schools and a second supervisor, most likely from Architecture can be selected depending on the topic chosen. 94% of Loughbor