Community Connection: Lesley Peréz ‘26 MSUP & ‘27 MS.Arch
Lesley Peréz (’26 MSUP, ’27 MS.Arch) is a dual-degree graduate student at CAPLA committed to advancing equity through design and policy. Inspired by her upbringing in East Los Ángeles, her work focuses on creating accessible, community-centered spaces where people can thrive. At CAPLA, she has served as a student ambassador, contributed to housing policy research with ARCHES, and engaged in community outreach through the Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning and Design—shaping a future career in planning, transportation, and design at local and global scales.
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.
How Can an Old Golf Course Fight Climate Change? Study by CAPLA Lecturer and Alumna Offers Insight for Bloomberg Article
A 2017 study by Kelly Cederberg ’13 MLA, a CAPLA adjunct lecturer in landscape architecture, has been cited by Bloomberg in a story on how the Trust for Public Land is converting the San Geronimo Golf Course in Marin County, California, into a park and restored habitat for endangered wildlife.
Agricultural Center at Mochik Ranch: Greg Veitch '23 M.Arch
The Agricultural Center at Mochik Ranch is predicated upon the concept of interdependence, which is a central tenet of Yoeme spirituality and culture. The project goal was to use architecture to facilitate agricultural production and cultural ownership through an interdependent deployment of climactic forces and culturally significant building materials.
From Guarding the Coast to Guarding Community Equity: Forest Replogle ’16 MS Planning
Forest Replogle, a transportation planner with the Mid-Region Council of Governments Metropolitan Planning Organization in Albuquerque, New Mexico, graduated from the UArizona MS Planning degree after serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, an experience that helped him think about "how the built environment affects health, wealth and ecology."
The Washington Post Interviews CAPLA Professor on Creating ‘Cool Corridors’ to Counter Extreme Heat
Assistant Professor of Planning and Sustainable Built Environments Ladd Keith was interviewed by The Washington Post about the City of Tucson's Cool Pavement Program as well as the inequitable impacts of extreme heat on communities, the concepts behind "cool corridors" and more.
Report by Planning Professor Gary Pivo Informs Regional and National Articles on Tucson Gentrification
A 2021 study by Gary Pivo, "Equity and Sustainability Assessment of Tucson's Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET) Program," was cited by Phoenix Business Journal and Planetizen on articles about gentrification and affordable housing in Tucson, particularly in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods.
CAPLA West Building Renovation Under Way: Here’s How You Can Follow Our Progress and Support Our Innovation
Thanks to support from CAPLA alumni and friends and the University of Arizona, we are transforming the CAPLA West Building into one of the nation’s premier post-COVID spaces for design students. Renovation began in May and is expected to be complete in August 2023.
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.
Root Down: Maggie Collopy '23 B.Arch
Maggie Collopy's Root Down is a mixed-used building that accommodates institutional, educational, commercial and public uses. Located in the multicultural heart of Tucson, the project serves as a beacon for public integration and educational exposition, and an example of how buildings can be sustainable.
Housing Project for Domestic Violence Survivors: Kathy Le '24 M.Arch
Kathy Le's Housing Project for Domestic Violence Survivors is a community designed for women and children victims of domestic violence. Le's main goals were to address and resolve issues with security, comfort and community, seeking not just to provide shelter but also to provide nurturing.