
Ecological Cookbook: Gabriel Garcia ‘26 B.Arch
In ARC410F, Gabriel Garcia '26 B.Arch explored the intersection of architecture and ecology by designing with the Sonoran Desert’s spadefoot toad in mind. His ecological cookbook documents the species’ behavior, habitat needs, and environmental context, guiding a design approach rooted in sustainability and nonhuman-centered thinking.

Indigenous Nations and the Right to Water: Relationships, Resources and Futures | Lecture by Heather Whiteman Runs Him
Heather Whiteman Runs Him is a citizen of the Apsaalooke/Crow Nation. She is the Director of the Tribal Justice Clinic and Associate Clinical Professor at University of Arizona Rogers College of Law where she also teaches courses on tribal water rights, tribal courts, and tribal law.

Demystifying Creativity: Lecture by Luis Ibarra, Ibarra Rosano Design Architects
Luis Ibarra is the Design Principal and Co-founder of Ibarra Rosano Design Architects, founded in 1999. The firm has earned numerous national and international awards for its sensitive approach to designing in the Sonoran Desert, emphasizing responsive and responsible design ethics.

In the News: CAPLA Associate Professor Jonathan Bean
CAPLA Assistance Professor Jonathan Bean emphasized the need for energy-efficient AI systems in a September "InformationWeek" article. He cautioned that unchecked AI growth could jeopardize sustainability efforts, urging a balance between technological progress and environmental responsibility.

CAPLA students collaborate with Iskashitaa Refugee Network on experiential learning garden
Last spring, CAPLA Sustainable Built Environments Lecturer Nataliya Apanovich partnered with Iskashitaa Refugee Network to create a study concerning issues among University of Arizona students and United Nation (UN) Refugees.

Planning program kicks off 60th anniversary celebration at State Planning Conference
More than 500 planners from across Arizona gathered in Tucson for the 2024 American Planning Association (APA) Arizona State Planning Conference, participating in workshops on topics ranging from emerging trends and housing challenges to affordability and parking policy.

MLA students honored with American Society of Landscape Architects award in research category
Master of Landscape Architecture students Annalise Hummel, Christian Aguilar Murrieta and Cordell Lee were honored for highlighting the need for smart watering solutions to support tree planting as a cost-effective way to mitigate urban heat.

Study highlights challenges in bicycle planning in Tucson
A new study on cycle planning in Tucson, Arizona, reveals the complexities planners face in moving projects from initial planning to construction and evaluation.

Student & Faculty Design Ideas Competition
CAPLA students and faculty are invited to submit their design ideas for a re-envisioned Student and Alumni Center in the CAPLA West Building.

CAPLA in the News: Altaf Engineer, PhD
Altaf Engineer, associate professor of architecture, was interviewed by Arizona Public Media for his research on how sounds, smells and other natural elements make a difference in how we feel in our homes and offices.

David Zuniga, ‘23 B.Arch, Wins AIA Designing Together Contest with Bi-National Park
David Zuniga, a CAPLA alumnus ('23 B.Arch), secured first place in the 2024 AIA Designing Together Contest by transforming a napkin sketch into a bi-national park at the Mexico-U.S. border. His CAPLA education, emphasizing conceptual thinking and societal impact, played a key role in shaping his award-winning design and professional aspirations.