Phano Liphoto is an MPhil Civil Engineering (Transport Studies) Candidate at the University of Cape Town. Under the supervision of Doctor Siddique Motala, his thesis explores “A century of barriers and catalysts to commuter cycling in Cape Town”. He holds an honours degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand with a thesis on “Planning for Bikeability: The Case of Soweto Johannesburg”. He’s passionate about urban design, sustainable development and has achieved the top 10 position in two design competitions, NOWNOW Competition – 2024 Future Khayelitsha and the United States Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2023/2024 in the Single Family housing division.

His Solar Decathlon competition team represented the University of the Witwatersrand and was awarded the Engineering and Built Environment Dean’s Special award for being the only African team to achieve a top 10 finalist position, which included full tuition towards a master’ degree within the faculty.

He is a former Urban Planner at the the Housing Development Agency in Cape Town and currently a researcher and policy analyst at the progressive active and safe mobility advocacy group, Young Urbanists South Africa.