School of Landscape Architecture & Planning Faculty Profiles

The faculty of the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning comprise a dynamic community, bringing their expertise to the built environment from across the country and around the world.

In these detailed profiles, you'll learn about their teaching, research, service and much more. Meet a few of our faculty members:

Arthur C. Nelson

Legacy Beyond the Numbers: Honoring Arthur C. Nelson, Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning and Real Estate Development

When Arthur C. Nelson retired from the University of Arizona in May 2022, he considered his legacy—not just at the University of Arizona, but across his distinguished, 38-year career in higher education following 12 years in the planning profession.

Mackenzie Waller

Creating Spatial Justice: Mackenzie Waller, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture

Mackenzie Waller joined the college this semester as assistant professor of landscape architecture. Learn more about Mackenzie, including current research in environmental/spatial justice and this semester's landscape architecture design studio created around preserving native bees in urban Tucson.

Adriana Zuniga

Exploring Human-Landscape Connections: Adriana Zuniga ’10 MS Arch, Assistant Research Scientist

Assistant Research Scientist Adriana Zuniga came to CAPLA from Mexico in 2008 to pursue her MS Architecture degree. Since then, she has also earned a PhD in Arid Lands Resources Sciences and has taught and conducted research on human-landscape connections at CAPLA since 2015.

Kenneth J. Kokroko

Addressing Social and Environmental Issues: Kenneth J. Kokroko, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture

Kenneth J. Kokroko, a CAPLA Master of Landscape Architecture alumnus, joined the college this fall as assistant professor of landscape architecture. Learn more about Kenneth, including his passions for community-based projects, a positive studio experience and plants.

Philip Stoker and his dog Scraps

Multidisciplinary Research Guides Teaching: Philip Stoker, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Planning

Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Planning Philip Stoker joined CAPLA in 2016. He researches how cities and neighborhoods can be designed and planned so that they have fewer negative environmental impacts.

Brian Bidolli

Cities as Harmony: Brian Bidolli, Lecturer in Real Estate Development and Urban Planning

Lecturer in Real Estate Development and Urban Planning Brian Bidolli joined CAPLA in 2017. In addition to teaching in the Master of Real Estate Development program, he conducts market research programs for the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning.

Arthur C. Nelson

Reshaping the Built Environment: Arthur C. Nelson, Professor of Urban Planning and Real Estate Development

Professor of Real Estate Development Arthur C. Nelson joined CAPLA in 2014. He is a leading researcher on transit-oriented development and how shifting demographics change housing demand and metropolitan development patterns.

James Brian Marian

Our Ever-Changing Marketplace: James Brian Marian, Adjunct Lecturer in Real Estate Development

Adjunct Lecturer in Real Estate Development James Brian Marian began at CAPLA in 2018. With a background in commercial real estate development, he not only teaches but also strives to help students find internships and career opportunities.

Kristina Currans teaching

Untangling Silos: Kristina Currans, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning

Assistant Professor of Urban Planning Kristina Currans, who has a background in civil engineering, began at CAPLA in 2017. She has a wide variety of research and other interests, with a particular focus on land-use development and transportation planning.

The Spaces That Exist Between Private Properties: Bill Mackey, Lecturer in Architecture

“Everything I do as an artist and architect comes into my teaching methodology. I try to think about problems creatively and research them through a multitude of lenses. I expect the same of my students.”

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

A Deeper Appreciation for Context: Gina Chorover, Lecturer in Planning and Landscape Architecture

“What I love most is bringing the history of a place to the surface for people to see. When people understand the larger context of a building, site or city, they have a deeper appreciation for it.”