Prof Ali Parsa

Prof Ali Parsa


I am a senior academic with 30 years experience in teaching and research having worked in five UK universities prior to joining Westminster in July 2021. I hold a PhD in International planning and construction from Newcastle University. I am a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Fellow of the RSA (The Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce). I work closely with universities in Asia, the Middle East and Europe in collaborative research focusing on global cities, housing market analysis, sharia compliant real estate investment and development and sovereign funds.


My research is multi disciplinary in nature but focuses primarily on the interface between urban planning and urban real estate markets,  emerging real estate markets and Shariah compliant real estate investment. Further aspects of my research examine real estate market structures and the role of actors and agents involved in property development process, impact of globalisation on real estate markets and urban development and urban regeneration. A number of research projects examining real estate strategies for tall buildings, environmental impacts of real estate and construction, urban land management, housing policy and housing market have been conducted for private and public sector clients in Europe, US, Asia and the Middle East


In brief

Research areas

International Real Estate, Interface between Planning and Real Estate, Sustainable Urban Regeneration and Environmental Impact of Land and Property Development

Supervision interests

Planning and development, Mega Urban Regeneration Projects, International Real Estate Investment and Development, Sustainable Built Environment and Impact of 4i on urban centres, smart cities, compact cities