Our world-class urban planning faculty has extensive training, education, and experience in planning practice and research. Our forward-looking, solution-oriented, and engaged approach to urban planning education, research, and mentorship is helping push the field in new and exciting directions.
Arlie Adkins, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, researches health and safety disparities related to urban transportation systems. He also has an appointment in the College of Public Health. He recently completed a five-year CDC grant on physical activity and health is currently the co-PI of the University of Arizona’s portion of the National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC). He teaches Urban Transportation Planning and the capstone planning projects course.
Kristina Currans, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, focuses her research on transportation and land use integration, economic impacts of transportation investment, and improving data and analytical methods for site level transportation impact analysis. She was recently awarded a two-year grant to operationalize the link between parking supply and vehicle use in California. Her courses include Planning Methods and Transportation & Land Use.
Nicole Iroz-Elardo, PhD, Research Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, works at the intersection of built environment, health, and transportation. Her research focuses on health equity and monetizing the health impacts and transport and built environment interventions.
Ladd Keith, PhD, Assistant Professor of Planning and Chair of Sustainable Built Environments, researches the intersection between urban planning and climate change and explores how climate action planning can make more sustainable and resilient cities. He has worked with diverse cities across the U.S. on climate action planning across a range of plans, policies, and regulations. He teaches Public Participation and Climate Action Planning.
Shujuan Li, PhD, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, has research efforts in the integration of spatial analysis and modeling with GIS for urban and environmental studies. Her research interests include landscape ecology, ecological planning, spatial data science, and ecosystem services. She teaches Land Use Planning Analysis, Geodesign Studio, and GIS courses.
Arthur C. Nelson, PhD, FAcSS, FAICP, Professor of Urban Planning and Real Estate Development, has made significant contributions in the areas of real estate analysis, smart growth, infrastructure financing, transportation and economic development outcomes, and metropolitan development patterns. Dr. Nelson is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences as well as the American Institute of Certified Planners. He teaches courses in Real Estate Development and Urban Planning.
Gary Pivo, PhD, Professor of Planning, works in the areas of responsible property investing, urban form, and sustainable cities. He holds professorships in the Planning Degree Program and the School of Natural Resources at the University of Arizona where he teaches courses on the land development process and sustainable cities. Pivo’s research has been cited by scholars in many different fields including urban studies, transportation, environmental studies, planning, public health, engineering, geography, economics, and more.
Drew Sanderford, PhD, Associate Professor of Real Estate Development & Urban Planning, studies innovation and sustainability in the property markets and urban development process. He collaborates with financial economists, hydrologists, ecologists, and public policy scholars across an array of funded projects. His case oriented teaching frequently engages practitioners to help students process, understand, and practice with decision-making. Dr. Sanderford teaches Real Estate Finance and Planning Theory and Practice.
Philip Stoker, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture, researches water sustainability and the connections between land use planning and water management. He has conducted research internationally, working on projects with the World Health Organization, Parks Canada, the National Park Service, and the Whistler 2010 Olympics. His research has been featured in the Journal of the American Planning Association and Landscape and Urban Planning among other academic publications. Dr. Stoker teaches Introduction to GIS and Sustainable Urban Development and Design.
To see the complete listing of all CAPLA faculty and staff, visit the directory page.
Beyond the Commute: Long-Term Impacts and Behavioral Roots of U.S. Car Dependence | Lecture by Huê-Tâm Jamme
Huê-Tâm Jamme presents research exploring the deep behavioral roots and long-term impacts of U.S. car dependence on individual well-being and social equity.
CAPLA faculty awarded grant to support planning in Idaho community
Associate Professors Philip Stoker and Shujuan Li have received a two-year grant to support community scenario planning and long-term water supply strategies in Blaine County, Idaho, a rapidly growing gateway region facing increasing development and water resource pressures. By combining urban growth modeling, water demand forecasting and spatial analysis, their work will help local leaders understand how different development patterns could impact future water availability.
Lecture Recap | The Cyborg Watershed of the American West | A Jones Studio Grand Challenges Lecture featuring Lauren Bon
An engineered network of waterways flowing west from the Rockies sustains life in one of the hottest regions on Earth, forming a “cyborg watershed” that blends natural systems with human-made infrastructure and regional mythologies. Bon explored this system through her large-scale artworks, examining buried waterways, the complexities of policy and politics, and the pursuit of a civic identity shaped by water rather than boundaries.
Rehabilitation of the Retablo Facade at San Xavier del Bac | Lecture by Starr Herr-Cardillo
Learn about ongoing work to preserve decorative finishes and restore missing and damaged elements of the retablo facade of Mission San Xavier del Bac. This work is supported by the Semiquincentennial Grant Program, administered by the National Park Service.
Applied Active Transportation Class Aims to Improve Bike and Pedestrian Safety on Campus
A CAPLA studio led by Senior Lecturer Joey Iuliano is turning student interest into action by focusing on improving walking and cycling conditions on campus. In collaboration with Parking & Transportation Services and the Office of Sustainability, students analyze crash data and develop design proposals for key campus corridors to improve safety and connectivity. Inspired in part by last fall’s fatal traffic crash near campus, the course aims to produce practical ideas that could inform future campus planning.
CAPLA Planning Faculty, Recent Alumna Study TUSD’s Climate Impact
A report led by Associate Professor Philip Stoker and alumna Alyssa Fink delivers the most comprehensive climate assessment of Tucson Unified School District’s 2024 operations to date. The study establishes a greenhouse gas baseline and outlines strategies to reduce emissions, energy use and costs, supporting the district’s sustainability goals. Sponsored by Jobs With Justice, the project also highlights the impact of student-led, community-based research.