Yiwei Ou is a PhD candidate in Architecture at The University of Auckland, whose research explores the intersection of public space, digital spatial practices, and data-driven urban analysis. His doctoral work investigates how social media data, artificial intelligence, and spatial analysis can be combined to understand human–space interactions, emerging forms of publicness, and the socio-spatial dynamics of contemporary urban environments. Building on advanced training in machine learning and computational methods, he develops interdisciplinary frameworks that link architectural thinking with big data analytics, computer vision, and graph-based spatial modelling. Yiwei holds dual Master’s degrees in Architecture from The University of Auckland (First Class Honours) and Hunan University (Merit Graduate Honours). He has published in several international conferences and has presented his work at key events, including the Past, Present and Future of Public Space conference in Bologna (2024). His recent academic service includes reviewing for international journals and conferences, serving on the Early Career Advisory Board of City Space Architecture, and contributing to committees related to spatial analysis and urban research. With a background spanning New Zealand, China, and global collaborative networks, Yiwei’s work aims to bridge public space scholarship with emerging digital methodologies, supporting more inclusive, evidence-based approaches to urban design and planning.