hanoi urban lab

Integrating urban science research with innovative teaching
to improve our built environment

urban science

We practice the art and science of city planning research. Utilizing quantitative data, such as traffic speeds, pedestrian counts, sitting location, A/B decision testing, and qualitative engagement methods from interviews, review and information-scraping, we’re able to ideate what makes good public spaces.


We innovate methods and technology to better understand how we could make better use of streets, parks, parking lots and even open markets in Hanoi, one of Asia’s fastest growing cities.

Laboratory Approach

We are education and urban science laboratories. 

With our students, we observe people for hours recording how users behave in people-centered places and those spaces that are devoid of people too. 

Direct observation, indirect data collection, input, analysis and method prototyping is prefaced with and supplemented by lectures and workshops designed to sample the graduate thesis process while advising high school and undergraduate students.  

This creates an exploratory experience that both helps students better understand their own city and take notice of the built and natural surroundings. While educating students about data collection and research methods early on, the lab also produces informative urban planning, design and user behavior observations.

Urban Science

We practice the art and science of city planning research. Utilizing quantitative data, such as traffic speeds, pedestrian counts, sitting location, A/B decision testing, and qualitative engagement methods from interviews, review and information-scraping, we’re able to ideate what makes good public spaces.


We innovate methods and technology to better understand how we could make better use of streets, parks, parking lots and even open markets in Hanoi, one of Asia’s fastest growing cities.

Laboratory Approach

We are education and urban science laboratories. 

With our students, we observe people for hours recording how users behave in people-centered places and those spaces that are devoid of people too. 

Direct observation, indirect data collection, input, analysis and method prototyping is prefaced with and supplemented by lectures and workshops designed to sample the graduate thesis process while advising high school and undergraduate students.  

This creates an exploratory experience that both helps students better understand their own city and take notice of the built and natural surroundings. While educating students about data collection and research methods early on, the lab also produces informative urban planning, design and user behavior observations.

our team

The lab started under the guidance of Michael McLaughlin, MCP and Professor Hoa Ta;  Conceived as an attempt to teach basic urban planning and design concepts, we incubate design research as a teaching instrument.

hanoi
urban lab

Integrating urban science research
to improve environmental designs in Vietnam

Urban Science

We practice the art and science of city planning research. Utilizing quantitative data, such as traffic speeds, pedestrian counts, sitting location, A/B decision testing, and qualitative engagement methods from interviews, review and information-scraping, we’re able to ideate what makes good public spaces.


We innovate methods and technology to better understand how we could make better use of streets, parks, parking lots and even open markets in Hanoi, one of Asia’s fastest growing cities.

Laboratory Approach

We are education and urban science laboratories. 

With our students, we observe people for hours recording how users behave in people-centered places and those spaces that are devoid of people too. 

Direct observation, indirect data collection, input, analysis and method prototyping is prefaced with and supplemented by lectures and workshops designed to sample the graduate thesis process while advising high school and undergraduate students.  

This creates an exploratory experience that both helps students better understand their own city and take notice of the built and natural surroundings. While educating students about data collection and research methods early on, the lab also produces informative urban planning, design and user behavior observations.

our Team

The lab started under the guidance of Michael McLaughlin, MCP and Professor Hoa Ta;  Conceived as an attempt to teach basic urban planning and design concepts, we incubate design research as a teaching instrument.