Dr Mahmud Tantoush leads the [CPU]Ai atelier, where his teaching focuses on computational design, urban analytics, and the integration of AI into design processes. With several years of experience teaching complexity-based computational approaches to architectural and urban design, he embeds his published research and theoretical contributions on sustainable futures into both teaching and supervision. He also leads the Master of Architecture (Part 2) design studio modules (Studio 1, 2 and 3), where students critically explore the future of the profession and collaborate with nationally leading practices.

His research as part of the ARO/[CPU]Lab focuses on how cities can be analysed and designed in more sustainable ways, combining complexity theories and modelling towards sustainable futures using new methodologies including AI Machine Leaning and Urban Big Data. Mahmud has been involved in funded research projects funded by Horizon Europe and UKRI, and he supervises PhD students working on urban analytics and sustainable future cities. 

Languages

English/Arabic

Teaching

I have taught across undergraduate and postgraduate architectural education since 2017, including Advanced Architectural Design (ADD), BA2 studio, MArch1 and MArch2 design studios, and MArch dissertation supervision. I have broad experience teaching diverse cohorts through design-led inquiry, integrating research-informed and specialist computational approaches to support students in developing critical, technical, and conceptual design skills across different stages of the programme.

I currently lead the MArch2 design studios, comprising three interconnected Level 7 modules (Studio 1, Studio 2, and Studio 3), which form the core thesis sequence. In addition, I lead the [CPU]ai vertical atelier in computational design across BA3, MArch1, and MArch2, and convene a specialised MArch2 studio focused on urban computational design, data-driven methods, and emerging digital technologies.

Postgraduate supervision

I currently act as a first supervisor and actively contribute to the PhD research community, supporting doctoral research that integrates urban analytics, liveability, and future cities with emerging digital technologies such as AR and VR as critical research methods. I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD researchers whose interests overlap with this work.

Research

Books

Hyde, R., Filippidis, F., 2025. 'Intelligent Control: Disruptive Technologies', RIBA Publishing.

Book Chapters

Tantoush, M., Toshani, N., 2025. 'The (Re)Configuration of Urban Space in Tripoli, Libya: Territorial Planning, Power Struggles and the City Pre- and Post-2011'. In Architecture of the Territory: Constructing a national narrative.

Sengupta, U., Cheung, E., Solomou, S., Zigure, S., Tantoush, M., Bassanino, M., Hyde, R., 2021. 'Complex Urban Futures: Design Science for Flux Territories'. In Design Studio Vol. 2: Intelligent Control Disruptive Technologies, Riba Publishing.

Journal Articles

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., Han, L., 2025. 'Exploring city dynamics through tweets: a framework for capturing urban activities as complex spatiotemporal patterns', Cities, 162.

Tantoush, M., Solomou, S., Sengupta, U., Zigure, S., 2024. 'Participatory backcasting towards desirable co-produced mobility futures: A case study of MaaS in Greater Manchester', Futures, 164.

Sengupta, U., Tantoush, M., Bassanino, M., Cheung, E., 2020. 'The Hybrid Space of Collaborative Location-Based Mobile Games and the City: A Case Study of Ingress', Urban Planning, 5 (4), pp. 358-370.

Conference Papers

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., 2025. 'Towards Complex Spatiotemporal Patterns: A Theoretical Framework for Capturing and Analysing how Cities Function', Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Built Environment, and Southern Urbanism, Mumbai, 8/1/2025 - 9/4/2025.

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., Solomou, S., Chueng, E., 2024. 'Bridging Urban Big Data and Agent-based Modelling: A New Theoretical Framing for Uncovering Complex Patterns and Mechanisms', AESOP Planning and Complexity - Time/Less Sensing, Planning, Designing In Complex Cities and Regions, Aachen, Germany, 28/11/2024 - 29/11/2024.

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., 2024. 'Cities as hybrid urban and digital spaces: exploring collective urban activities through social media', ASIST&T European Chapter: Information Science Trends 2024- Living online and offline, in darkness and light, Manchester, 10/7/2024 - 10/7/2024.

Tantoush, M., 2023. 'Crowdsourced Urban data, Self-Organisation and Emergence: A bottom-up Analytics Approach Using Tweets', Complex [Cognitive] Cities: Sensing, Planning and Design in Urban Transformations: AESOP 21st Meeting TG Planning & Complexity, Manchester, 20/4/2023 - 22/4/2023.

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., 2022. 'Sensing Urban Activities through Tweets: Exploring Dynamic Urban Functions through Crowdsourced Urban Data', In Sensing the City: AESOP 20th Meeting TG Planning & Complexity, Tallinn, Estonia, 21/7/2022 - 22/7/2022.

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., Han, L., 2021. 'Analysing Urban Form and Activities for Smarter Cities through Crowdsourced Urban Data', 2021 International Symposium of Resilient City, Bejing, China, 3/11/2021 - 4/11/2021.

Zigure, S., Tantoush, M., Solomou, S., Sengupta, U., 2021. 'DEAS Network Plus Transportation and Mobility Projects 2020 - MaaS Prototype for TfGM', DEAS Research Seminar Series - transportation and mobility, Exeter, UK.

Zigure, S., Tantoush, M., Solomou, S., Sengupta, U., 2021. 'Participatory Backcasting for Achieving Desired Co-produced Mobility Futures: A Case Study of MaaS in Greater Manchester', Data for Policy 2021 special track Systemic engagement: Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and the design challenge of inclusion, sustainability, and data ownership, London, UK.

Tantoush, M., Zigure, S., Solomou, S., Sengupta, U., 2021. 'Participatory Backcasting for Achieving Desired Co-produced Mobility Futures: A Case Study of MaaS in Greater Manchester', NEST Conference 2021: Sustainability Transition pathways, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., 2021. 'Urban Morphology in the Big Data Age: Exploring Aspects of Urban Form through Crowdsourced Urban Data', International Seminar on Urban Form: ISUF, Glasgow, Scotland.

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., Macbeth, A., Norfiqri, R., 2019. 'Big Data and City Infrastructures: Exploring Airbnb's Digital Urban Disruption', Healthy Cities 2019: Urbanisation, Infrastructures & Everyday Life, Manchester, UK.

Zigure, S., Solomou, S., Cheung, E., Sengupta, U., Hyde, R., Bassanino, M., Tantoush, M., 2019. 'Exploring Concerns about Autonomous Vehicles in the Public Realm', Healthy Cities 2019: Urbanisation, Infrastructures & Everyday Life, Manchester, UK.

Tantoush, M., Sengupta, U., Cheung, E., Solomou, S., Zigure, S., 2019. 'Location-Based Games as Crowd-Sourced Geographic Information for Urban Planning', AESOP 18th Meeting TG Planning & Complexity: Games for Cities, Lisbon, Portugal.

Solomou, S., Zigure, S., Sengupta, U., Cheung, E., Tantoush, M., Hyde, R., 2019. 'Simulating Personal Rapid Transportation: A game to determine the advantages of a Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) system over the current Taxi system', AESOP 18th Meeting TG Planning & Complexity: Games for Cities, Lisbon, Portugal.