The essential research of the CAPLA faculty goes well beyond the fields of design, development, planning and sustainability to the core of how we can live better lives in the built environment.
Faculty research solves problems, impacts decisions and shapes policy. Read our CAPLA faculty research stories:
![Pedestrian crossing sign](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/pedestrian-sign.jpg?itok=4nbXxxGS)
Planning Associate Professor Arlie Adkins Discusses Pedestrian Fatalities in Arizona NPR Feature
Arlie Adkins, CAPLA associate professor of urban planning, provides insight on the pre-pandemic increase in pedestrian deaths in an August 28, 2020 Arizona Public Media (NPR) story in The Buzz titled "Revising the Danger to pedestrians in Tucson."
![Sedona, Arizona](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/sedona-arizona.jpg?itok=5P2p7Yb6)
As Rural Western Towns Grow, So Do Their Planning Challenges
A new study by Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Planning Philip Stoker examines the planning challenges that residents and officials in the rural mountain American West have been watching unfold for years at "gateway communities."
![Philip Stoker and his dog Scraps](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/phillip-stoker-and-scraps.jpg?itok=qFesyiXU)
Multidisciplinary Research Guides Teaching: Philip Stoker, Associate 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.
![Aerial view of subdivision](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/subdivision-aerial.jpg?itok=tydy4R4V)
Study Predicts Millions of Unsellable Homes Could Upend Market
CAPLA Professor Arthur C. Nelson's recently published research undermines the classic "big promise" in homeownership: that a home, after it's paid off, can be sold for a retirement nest egg.
![Las Vegas sign](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/las-vegas-sign.jpg?itok=936M8AcE)
CAPLA Professor Ladd Keith Discusses Urban Heat Islands in Las Vegas Review-Journal Article
Planning and Sustainable Built Environments Assistant Professor Ladd Keith was quoted in a recent Las Vegas Review-Journal article on urban heat islands and how heat and coronavirus bring a double threat to vulnerable populations.
![Infill house](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/dickinson-university-spec-house.jpg?itok=fcKu53ak)
Challenging the Norm: Susannah Dickinson, Associate Professor of Architecture
Associate Professor of Architecture Susannah Dickinson, who joined CAPLA in 2009 after practicing architecture full-time, sees teaching and research as an opportunity for personal growth and lifelong learning and also a chance to give back to the next generation of architects.
![Altaf Engineer](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/altaf-engineer.jpg?itok=2Jf5uZ1x)
Improving Design Outcomes: Altaf Engineer, Assistant Professor of Architecture
Assistant Professor of Architecture Altaf Engineer, who joined CAPLA in 2017, has always felt a deep responsibility to apply his knowledge and skills to address critical health, social and environmental issues affecting humans worldwide.
![Illustration of city with green infrastructure](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/16-1-hdr.jpg?itok=OqzvkjTj)
Urban Green Infrastructure Project Led by Landscape Architecture Professor Bo Yang Wins ASLA Honor Award for Research
Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Professor Bo Yang has been awarded the prestigious Honor Award, Research from the American Society of Landscape Architects for the research project, "Particulate matter mitigation through urban green infrastructure: Research on optimization of block-scale green space."
![University of Arizona and Star Academic High School students at work on green infrastructure](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/tucsonverde-hdr.jpg?itok=ceTGtmJI)
Tucson Verde Para Todos: CAPLA Faculty and Landscape Architecture Students Engage South Tucson Community through Green Infrastructure
Tucson Verde para Todos aims to address injustices around green infrastructure by promoting a strategy to address inequities in green infrastructure funding, siting and implementation through collaborative, participatory community engagement, as at Star Academic High School.
![Kristina Currans teaching](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/Currans-ScooterObservations.jpg?itok=QNw_T_J0)
Untangling Silos: Kristina Currans, Associate Professor of Urban Planning
Associate 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.
![Damon Leverett](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/damon-leverett-hdr-sm.jpg?itok=shTveKHe)
The Intersection of Architecture and Technology: Damon Leverett, Senior Lecturer in Architecture
Senior Lecturer in Architecture Damon Leverett began at CAPLA in 2019. With a background in computer science and architecture, he brings a rich mix of architectural technology and systems design experience to the college.
![Aerial view of beach](/sites/default/files/styles/az_card_image/public/studio/aerial-beach-street.jpg?itok=ygQb8WVX)
CAPLA Research Scientist Adriana Zuniga Provides Insight on Climate Change for WalletHub’s ‘Best Beach Towns to Live In’
Adriana Zuniga, CAPLA and Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy assistant research scientist, notes how coastal communities may be severely impacted by climate change in the near future.