Seizing Opportunities: Linus Friedman ‘26 SBE

“One of the most rewarding parts of my experience at CAPLA has been applying what I’ve learned to support the efforts of others. There are so many amazing individuals and groups fighting for creating more sustainable, equitable and human-scale cities across the country, and I am so happy to have worked with organizations both here in Tucson and in my hometown Pittsburgh.” 

Linus Friedman brings a fresh perspective to CAPLA. He came from the other side of the country and is pursuing degrees in both Sustainable Built Environments (SBE) and German Studies. While here, he has immersed himself in unique experiences, including working with local nonprofit, starting a club and studying abroad. 

As his graduation quickly approaches, we asked him to reflect on his time at CAPLA.

1. What inspired you to come to the University of Arizona? What motivated you to pursue a degree in sustainable built environments! 

Coming from Pennsylvania, I always get asked how I ended up going to college all the way over here in Tucson. As I was applying to schools, I was not quite sure what I wanted to pursue professionally. I knew l enjoyed sustainability and environmental sciences, but I also had a deep interest in design and improving the human-built world around me. 

When I first saw the SBE program, I knew it was a perfect mix of my interests. Not quite being totally set on where these interests would take me, whether that be landscape architecture or urban planning, the interdisciplinary nature of the degree as well as flexibility to choose my emphasis after my first year were both huge bonuses. 

2. What has been the most rewarding part of your journey at CAPLA so far? What are you most proud of accomplishing in your time at college?  

For me, one of the most rewarding parts of my experience at CAPLA has been applying what I’ve learned to support the efforts of others. There are so many amazing individuals and groups fighting for creating more sustainable, equitable and human-scale cities across the country, and I am so happy to have worked with organizations both here in Tucson and in my hometown Pittsburgh. 

This academic year, and as a part of my internship course, I have been able to work with Living Streets Alliance, a local nonprofit organization focusing on creating streets that work for all people, no matter their mode of transportation. It has been so rewarding to help put on their signature event, Cyclovia, use my GIS skills to create helpful maps and participate in community outreach/workshop events. 

Across my time here at CAPLA, I am most proud of the visuals I have been able to design. I am not a graphic designer by any means, but it is always a very satisfying feeling to step away from my Illustrator files and see the concepts floating around in my head clearly explained and shown. While not complete yet, I am really excited for the visuals I will be creating for my capstone project. 

3. What has been your favorite course or studio so far, and why? 

I have taken a lot of great courses with great faculty, but I believe “SBE 301: Introduction to Design Thinking” might be my favorite. Focusing on the El Pueblo Neighborhood Center in Southern Tucson, we reimagined how existing space could be utilized for the community. To avoid designing in a vacuum, our professor, Kenny Wong, took us to meet local leaders during a site visit. This course was the first time we truly dived into learning programs like Indesign and Illustrator, creating impressive placemaking maps and doing observational studies. 

4. Have there been any faculty members who have a big impact on you? What made them stand out? 

All of the CAPLA professors I have taken courses with have been amazing and all seem deeply excited to teach their specific subjects. I would like to especially thank Dr. Nataliya Apanovich, Dr. Philip Stoker and Dr. Kristina Currans. 

Nataliya has consistently supported me and other students to pursue extracurriculars throughout our time here at CAPLA. As a new freshman on campus, I remember heading to the campus community garden for weekly gardening with other SBE students at a plot she rented out. Later with the start of the Students for Sustainable Cities club, she was instrumental in getting us in contact with guest speakers and helping to plan events. 

I have now had the opportunity to take two courses with professor Philip Stoker, in which I have learned a great deal and sharpened my skills immensely. He always holds his students to a high standard, pushing us to really create projects we are truly proud of. It’s very clear he is passionate about teaching and creating engaging lectures for his students. 

Professor Kristina Currans, although I have only taken one course with her, has taught me so very much about transportation planning. Her class, “Urban Transportation Planning,” ultimately helped confirm to me that transportation planning is the niche I want to work in. It is abundantly clear that she loves teaching and imparting knowledge onto others. I remember many instances where an off the cuff question from a student in class led to a thoughtful and in-depth D2L post later that night. 

5. How have you been involved in extracurricular activities or leadership roles on campus? What have you gain from these experiences? 

Throughout my time in university, I’ve been lucky enough to be engaged in a few leadership roles. In CAPLA, I worked with a few peers to start the Students for Sustainable Cities club my sophomore year. As president of the club, I gained a lot of experience networking with guest speakers, planning events and doing public speaking. It has always been so rewarding to put on events or do excursions that connect students to each other and the wider Tucson community. To any SBE students out there, let me know if you want to get involved!

Secondly, I was able to study abroad in Germany for a year as part of my German Studies major. Adapting to a new culture was definitely difficult, but it was super rewarding in the friendships I made and things I learned. While there, I was even able to take a few urban planning courses, delving into green infrastructure, planning theory and hand drawing. During my weekends, I would try my best to visit interesting sustainable or urban planning related cities, such as Freiburg, Münster or Wuppertal. What I’ve learned from exploring European cities and taking relevant courses abroad will have an everlasting impact on my work going forward. 

6. What are your plans/goals for your future career? 

After graduation in the Spring, I will be starting as a Transportation Planning Analyst with the nationwide firm Kimley-Horn. I’m looking forward to getting real-world experience in the field and hope to eventually also pursue a Masters in Urban Planning. 

Far off in the future I could see myself founding an active transportation planning firm, but it really depends on what I enjoy doing and where my career takes me!

7. What advice would you give to prospective students considering CAPLA or the sustainable built environments program?

Prospective SBE students should definitely know what degree they are applying to. After all, it is a unique major offered only at a select few universities. I encourage prospective students to reach out to graduates or current students, read the courselists and think deeply about their goals with university. 

Other than that, I would say to get involved in student organizations and CAPLA events, or create your own!

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