Dr. Daniel Anthony Yonto is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Design at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), China. He earned his Ph.D. in Geography and Urban Regional Analysis from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, USA.

Before joining XJTLU, Dr. Yonto held lecturer positions in Geography at Georgia Southern University and the University of Alabama, USA. He transitioned to XJTLU as an Assistant Professor in 2022 and, in 2023, secured his first major grant focusing on urban development dynamics in Southeast Asia. His research interests span human geography, urban studies, neighborhood change, and the influence of transportation on urban development, with a particular focus on Asian urban landscapes and climate change education. He is also a qualified facilitator for Climate Fresk workshops, actively engaging audiences in understanding climate science.

Dr. Yonto is currently seeking highly motivated PhD students interested in urban development in Southeast Asia, with a strong focus on spatial analysis and spatial planning.

Current PhD Supervision:

Apriadi, Bagus (2025.01-present). Navigating the cultural impact of gentrification on tourism attaction under the "Bali Baru" policy.  The University of Liverpool; Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

Publications

Recent Publications (Published or In Press)

• Yonto, D. and Feng, B. (in press) 'Climate Change Education in China: Exploring the Effect of Chinese Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) on Students’ Perceived Efficacy Towards Combating Climate Change', in Bentahar, A., Chisholm, A. and Demoiny, S. (eds.) Social Science Education for Just and Sustaining Societies.

• Zhuang, C., Gu, T., Chung, H., Zhu, M. and Yonto, D. (2025) 'Spatial-temporal insights into gender gaps in East Asian ride-hailing: Workload, efficiency, nighttime safety, and operational patterns', Journal of Transport Geography, p. 104213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2025.104213

• Yonto, D. and Feng, B. (2025) 'Traditional ecological knowledge can inspire students to take climate action', Times Higher Education. Available at: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/traditional-ecological-knowledge-can-inspire-students-take-climate-action

• Apriadi, B.F., Yonto, D. and Lin, L. (2025) 'Connecting the dots: tourism, cultural change, gentrification, and policy in Southeast Asia'. Paper presented at the TIARA 2025 International Conference.

Manuscripts under review

• Yonto, D., Angorro, Y. and Song, Y. 'From Bicycles to Motorbikes: Developing a Culturally Responsive Climate Change Education Model in Southeast Asia', Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability.

• Yonto, D., Angorro, Y. and Nith, K. 'Measuring SEZ Spillovers in Data-Scarce Regions: Evidence from Cambodia's Open Building Data', Journal of ASEAN Studies.

• Chung, H., Yang, Y., Park, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, L., Yonto, D. and Cho, H.R. 'The Housing Submarket Segmentation Based on Citizens and Households with School-aged Children: A Case Study of Suzhou, China', Journal of Housing Economics.

• Chung, H., Gu, T., Yonto, D., Xu, W., Currie, G., Cheng, L. and Wang, X. 'Housing submarkets driven by public transit systems – what submarkets are prone to use what transport mode?', Habitat International.

• Lin, L, Kim, S.Y., Yonto, D., and Chen, Z. 'Pedaling Towards Health: Exploring the Impact of Bike Sharing Systems on Physical Activity in 15-Minute Neighborhoods', Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives.

 Manuscripts bring drafted

• Yonto, D., Angorro, Y. and Nith, K. Spatial Diffusion of Special Economic Zones in Cambodia: A Comparative Regional Assessment, Journal of Development Economics.

• Yonto, D. 'Comparing Special Economic Zones in China and Cambodia: Divergent Pathways to Urbanization and Economic Development', in Biswas, S.D. and Samreth, S. (eds.) The political economy of the Asian developing regions.

Grants and Funding

Principal Investigator (PI)

• 2025 | Teaching Development Fund

Title: Harnessing Game-based Learning and Generative AI for an Interdisciplinary Approach to Sustainability Education

Funding Agency: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (RMB 14,000)

• 2025 | Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

Title: Suzhou as Palimpsest: Unraveling Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Climate Resilience

Funding Agency: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (RMB 6,000)

• 2024 | Young Scholars Initiative Workshop Grant

Title: China Southeast Asian Sustainable Development Workshop

Funding Agency: Young Scholars Initiative (USD 6,000)

• 2023 | Research Development Fund

Title: Local Narratives of Climate Change in Southeast Asia

Funding Agency: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (RMB 100,000)

• 2023 | Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

Title: Gentrification in Suzhou: A Tale of Urban Redevelopment

Funding Agency: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (RMB 6,000)

• 2023 | Research Development Fund

Title: Local Narratives of Climate Change in Southeast Asia

Funding Agency: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (RMB 100,000)

Engaged Scholarship & Community Initiatives

Dr. Yonto is committed to translating research into tangible impact and fostering collaborative sustainable development. 

• Clean Water, Stronger Communities: A Path to Sustainable Development in Dambokbun Village, Cambodia

  • This ongoing project, led by Dr. Yonto, focuses on improving access to clean water in Dambokbun Village by identifying broken pumps and strategically locating new ones. Emphasizing community participation and empowerment, the initiative aims to enhance health and hygiene while laying foundations for long-term sustainable development, including improved education, livelihoods, and infrastructure, potentially leveraging Generative AI. The project is a collaborative effort with local Cambodian organizations. 

• Education in Action: From Suzhou Creek to Cambodia – How Knowledge Flows into Impact

  • At the Notre Dame Global Day of Service in Shanghai, Dr. Yonto presented on his "Water Match Program." This initiative, inspired by Suzhou Creek's successful revival, empowers rural Cambodian villages to fund and install essential water pumps, transforming lives through community-driven solutions and donor support.

• China-Southeast Asia Sustainable Development Workshop (C-SEASD 2024)

  • As a key organizer, Dr. Yonto helped facilitate this two-day international workshop at XJTLU, in partnership with the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI). The event served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue, and international collaboration among nearly 50 young scholars, PhD candidates, researchers, and practitioners from diverse countries. It featured presentations, keynote speeches, and a Climate Fresk workshop, fostering inclusive discussions on sustainable development across China and Southeast Asia.

Leadership & Service

Programme Director - MSc Urban Planning (XJTLU)

In this role, Dr. Yonto oversees the Urban Planning programme, which is introducing an updated core curriculum with pathways in Urban Regeneration, Urban Design, or Landscape Design. The programme aims to develop critical, interdisciplinary thinking skills for solving complex urban issues, preparing graduates for global careers in sustainability, project management, and consulting focused on creating sustainable urban environments. 

For detailed information about our program, please visit our MSc Urban Planning website.

Sustainability Officer - Urban Planning (XJTLU)

As Sustainability Officer, Dr. Yonto contributes to and supports various initiatives promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices within the Design School and across XJTLU. Key activities include:

• PromeAI Training: Active involvement in training and promoting sustainable practices, likely related to the use of AI in design and sustainability.

• "No Food Delivery Day" Initiative: Supporting and promoting the Design School's monthly initiative to reduce single-use plastics and carbon emissions by encouraging students to eat on campus or bring their own food, utilizing incentive-based systems for behavioral change.

• XJTLU Earth Week 2025: "Our Power, Our Planet": Active participation in organizing and promoting events such as the "Lights Off" ceremony at the Community Garden, emphasizing sustainability awareness and community engagement.

• "Women into Design, One Exhibition": Supporting initiatives that highlight influential contributions in design, implicitly aligning with broader themes of equity and recognition within the design fields.

Courses Taught at XJTLU

• UPD 409 - Master Dissertation Thesis 
• UPD 312 - Spatial Project 
• UPD 310 - International Planning Studies
• UPD 305 - Undergrad Final Year Project 
• UPD 201 - Environmental Sustainability
• UPD 102 - Contemporary Planning in Western Europe and North America

Courses taught at The University of Alabama

• Human Geography
• Cultural Geography
• World Regional Geography

Courses taught at Georgia Southern University

• Human Geography
• Cultural Geography
• World Regional Geography
• Political and Cultural Ecology
• Nature and Society
• Political Geography
• Geography of Africa
• Geography of ASEAN
• Geography of Europe
• Geography of Latin America

• Khmer Language and Culture Fellowship
• Professor of the Week, Georgia Southern University Athletics
• Young Scholar Award, Social Science Education Consortium