Research

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At the core of our interdisciplinary Urban Sustainability and Resilience Program is a commitment to addressing the pressing challenges facing cities across the world. Our research integrates cutting-edge knowledge from fields such as urban planning, geospatial data science, urban community design, public policy, and health sciences to develop innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions for urban environments.

Through a systems-based approach, we explore the complex interactions between urban infrastructures, ecosystems, and communities, aiming to enhance city resilience in the face of climate change, rapid urbanization, and socioeconomic shifts. Our work is focused on creating inclusive, data-driven strategies that promote smart growth, environmental justice, and social equity. By partnering with local governments, businesses, and community organizations, we ensure that our research translates into actionable insights and real-world impact.

Explore our diverse projects, innovative approaches, and collaborative initiatives designed to future-proof cities and foster thriving urban communities.

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The School of Architecture developed the master plan for Silica City in Guyana, led by Dean Rodolphe el-Khoury and Professor Jose A. Gelabert-Naviaa.  The plan unveils a technologically advanced smart community that is a model of sustainability, resilience, and health care.  As the South American country is poised to become one of the richest countries in the world per capita and a major exporter of oil, the newly unveiled Silica City will get the country ready for the upcoming economic boom.

Dr. Sarbeswar Praharaj, Director of the MPS Program is conducting research through a National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant that is developing an innovative decision-support toolkit with earth system science modeling applications for visualizing, testing, and prioritizing effects of localized climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies to improve coastal resilience in the Greater Miami region, at the forefront of global climate crisis.

The Geography and Inequalities Lab led by Dr. Imelda K. Moise, Director of Global Health Studies Program,advances the understanding of health inequities and contributes to evidence-based design. The Lab focuses on the interrelated themes of health behavior, disaster-environment-and-community health, and mosquito-Borne diseases in urban areas, producing scientifically sound and culturally responsive global health solutions.

The Coastal Resilience (CoRe) Lab Directed by Professor Sonia Chao, SoA Associate Dean Research, promotes transformative urban design solutions for coastal communities confronted with climate change and sea-level rise. Through research and publications, community engagement and dissemination of insight, and conceptualization of practical solutions, the CoRE Lab empower coastal communities with innovative tools and resources needed to enhance their resilience.

The Center for Urban and Community Design Established in 1992, seeks to interface community and research to encourage interdisciplinary thought and action in the areas of preservation, sustainability, resiliency, civic engagement, and the promotion of human welfare. The CUCD advances the School of Architecture’s commitment to addressing local and global urban challenges with innovations in design, planning, and technological integration within the built environment.

The Climate Resilience Institute (CRI) brings together the most promising scholars from across the University of Miami’s schools and colleges for curating interdisciplinary, problem-driven research and education to train the next generation and deliver solutions to climate change impacts and other environmental stressors, in partnership with industry, government, and community-based stakeholders. CRI specializes in climate risk mitigation and urban resilience informed by advanced analytics and modeling.

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