
CAPLA Students Explore Smart Cities and Global Planning Innovation in Japan
Led by faculty member Brian Bidolli, the CAPLA Study Abroad program “Cities of the Future: Japan” combined classroom learning with site visits in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Students explored smart cities and sustainable urban development through lectures, professional meetings, cultural excursions, and visits to cutting-edge institutions. The program offered an immersive experience that connected theory with practice while deepening students’ global perspective on planning and design.

Building Meaningful Relationships: Matt Emory, Senior Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Inspired by the creativity and drive of CAPLA students, Matt Emory, senior undergraduate academic advisor, is passionate about building meaningful relationships and supporting students in reaching their goals.

CAPLA students partner with Tucson Hope Factory to address homelessness in Tucson
A collaborative initiative between the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA), the Drachman Institute, community organizations, and the City of Tucson is offering architecture students a unique opportunity to design and develop transitional housing solutions for Tucson’s unhoused population.

Anthony Rascon '26, B.Arch | Exploring Themed Entertainment and Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture undergraduate student Anthony Rascon shares how CAPLA has helped him explore themed entertainment design, leading to an internship with Universal Creative in Orlando. With a unique blend of architecture and immersive arts, he emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary learning and advises future students to embrace diverse experiences within their studies.

Postponed | Renowned architect Lesley Lokko headlines inaugural CAPLA Lecture Series
The CAPLA Inaugural Lecture Series featuring Lesley Lokko, originally scheduled for Friday, November 1, has been postponed due to the speaker's unexpected illness.

New U of A Initiative Leads the Way to Combat Extreme Heat
The new initiative within the Arizona Institute for Resilience will unite and expand existing heat-related programs at the University of Arizona, positioning the university as a global leader in heat resilience through research, education and outreach.

CAPLA Design Ideas Competition winners announced
The winners of CAPLA's Design Ideas Competition, aimed at re-envisioning the Student and Alumni Center, were revealed during the college's Homecoming celebration. Taking first place was the submission "ReFraming Assembly," designed by Montse Bover, Yusef Sakr, and Greg Veitch.

The Architecture of Wellbeing
The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine blends indoor and outdoor spaces, promoting wellness through natural light, biophilic design, and holistic health principles. It includes Mind, Body, and Spirit buildings fostering collaboration, relaxation, and healing.

Engaging Communities: CAPLA Students Showcase Native Plants on Park(ing) Day
CAPLA’s student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) transformed a parking space into a vibrant, sustainable green space for Tucson’s Park(ing) Day, highlighting the beauty of native Southwest plants.

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.