News & Events
Current News & Events
Calendar of Events, Fall '07
October
12 - LAUP Faculty Meeting
12 - Dean's Advisory Council
12 / 20 - Solar Decathlon
17 / 20 - Texas APA Conference in Addison, TX
18 / 21 - ACSP Conference in Milwaukee, WS
23 / 26 - ULI Fall Meeting in Las Vegas, NV
25 - Student Advisory Council with Department Heat at 12:00 noon (A349)
25 - Lecture Series Bob Hunter
26 - MUP Professional Advisory Council
26 - Outstanding Alumni Awards Banquet
27 - Former Student Class Reunions
29 - Research Symposium (Classes cancelled)
November
16 - LAUP Faculty Meeting
22 / 23 -Faculty and Staff Holiday
29
- Student Advisory Council with Department Heat at 12:00 noon (A349)
December
4 - Last day of fall classes
5 / 6 - Reading days, no classes
6 - College Holiday Gathering - Astin House
6 - LAUP Faculty Meeting
7, 10 / 12 - Final exams
14 - Commencement
24 - Jan. 1 - Faculty and Staff Holiday
Departmental News
Faculty search
The Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning (http://archone.tamu.edu/laup/)
at Texas A&M University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty
position at the Assistant Professor level with expertise in landscape architecture
beginning Fall 2007... [more]
LAUP researchers awarded with the "HOPE VI" project grant
Researchers from the department and the Center for Housing and Urban Development
(CHUD) were recently awarded a $160,000 grant to evaluate Beaumont Housing
Authority’s HOPE VI project. The HOPE VI project, funded by HUD, demolishes
and redevelops public housing units as mixed-income neighborhoods, and is
expected to foster neighborhood revitalization and economic development in
the area.
Professors Shannon Van Zandt and Dawn Jourdan will spearhead the 4-year investigation,
which will be managed by CHUD Assistant Director June Martin.
Noted architectural theorist lectures
6 p.m. Sept. 18 in Geren Auditorium
 One
of the world's most provocative writers on architecture, Nikos Salingaros,
professor of mathematics, urbanist and architectural theorist from the University
of Texas at San Antonio, will lecture 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 in the Preston
Geren Auditorium, located in the Texas A&M College of Architecture’s
Langford Building B. Salingaros will offer lecture goers an alternative perspective
on evidenced-based design.Salingaros is know for his unique theoretical insights
combining the relationship between mathematics, science, and architecture.
His work is seen by many as
forging a crucial scientific underpinning for innovative ideas of a new humanistic
architecture married to the timeless content of traditional architectures.
For the full story: http://archone.tamu.edu/archcom/ InsideTrack/full_9-12-06_Salingeros.htm
You can find out more about the LAUP Department in the Departmental
Newsletter "Perspectives"
Landscape Architecture Program News
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Program: Past year,
the landscape architecture faculty have been focusing on the review of the
curriculum of the Bachelor of Landscape
Architecture program. This process began a year ago as our faculty realized
that there was a need to revise and update our BLA curriculum mainly because
of those changes in the professional practice and the on-going transition of
the faculty within the department. Collectively, our faculty started with revising
the BLA program vision statement which sets the direction for the program.
Then, we examined the overall degree requirements and curriculum structure
by comparing them with those of the peer universities in USA. The Professional
Advisory Board of Landscape Architecture Programs was also invited to participate
in the process. We are currently in the process of reviewing the design studio
sequence. It is planned to complete this process by the end of this fall semester.
Master of Landscape Architecture Program: This past spring 2005 the MLA program
saw the presentation of fourteen successful final student projects. These projects
covered wide range of topics and were
based in such diverse places as Fushun City China, Fitchburg Massachusetts
and Big Pine Key Florida. All fourteen students are now working in professional
landscape architecture offices. Their work shall be recognized here.
Erin Bouck – Rehabilitation Facility and Landscape Master Plan
Likun Cao – Waterfront Development
Ying Dong/Zhen Ma – A Healthy Community Master Plan
Sean Duncan – Calebra Road Revitalization
Jui Gadade – Habitat Community Design
Sindhu George – Residential Estate Design
Shweta Gupta – Providence Church Roadside Memorial
Amy Harr – Designing A Landscape Called Home
Ma Hua Majumdar – Philosopher’s Walk
Hao Tang – An Urban Park Master Plan
Dipti Trivedi/Yun Zhao – American Bodhi Center Master Plan
Dustin Townsend – Reeves Ranch
Highlights from the past academic year
Dr. Taner R . Ozdil is joined the full-time LAUP faculty in Summer 2006 as
a Visiting Assistant Professor. Dr. Ozdil was a part-time Assistant Lecturer
for the department for the past six years.
***
Harlow Landphair retires after 31 years at Texas A&M. Getting a taste
of his approaching retirement after 31 years at Texas A&M,
last April Harlow Landphair enjoys fishing with granddaughter, Kelsie. This
spring there is a large blank spot on the floor of the Langford Building — the
place where Harlow Landphair’s shadow was once cast. Harlow has retired
from the Texas A&M University to “take his boat to the coast, and
do some serious fishing.”
***
Mr. Pliny Fisk, hired as part of Texas A&M’s faculty reinvestment
plan, joins the College of Architecture as a joint faculty member between the
departments of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning.
***
Professor Jody Rosenblatt Naderi received the Association of Former Students’ Distinguished
Achievement Award last November in recognition of her ability, personality
and methods which have resulted in outstanding teaching.
***
Dr. Jon Rodiek was recognized for receiving highest teaching evaluations
from undergraduate classes.
Land Development Program News
Dr. Jesse Saginor joined the department in the fall of 2006 as an assistant
professor. He is hired as an assistant professor for the Master of Science
in Land Development program. Jesse’s research interest include economic
development and theory, land use, property law, environmentally-contaminated
real estate,
local economic development policy and older cities, inner-ring suburban planning
and development issues, location theory and GIS. Jesse received his Ph. D, in
Urban Studies, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State
University, 2006; M.P.A., School of Public Policy
and Management,
The
Ohio State University, 2001; B.A., in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy,
James Madison College, Michigan State University, 1997.
A group of ten graduate students from the Master of Science in Land Development
(MSLD) program and Dr. Atef Sharkawy, the program coordinator, attended the
Annual Conference of the Urban Land Institute, in Los Angeles. The Real Estate
Development Student Association (REDA) organized the trip and provided information
about the program to conference attendees with a special video presentation
prepared by REDA shown on a 32 inch flat screen in the background. The trip
was supported, in part, by Texas A&M Former Students Association, and by
the program’s Development Industry Advisory Council (DIAC).
The MSLD program has completed a scientific trend scanning study in which
industry leaders identified future Land and Real Estate Development
trends. Based on
these trends, DIAC will discuss potential concentration areas for the
MSLD program, potential new courses, and potential involvement of five
adjunct
faculty from the Alumni in such courses and in mentoring MSLD students.
DIAC will also
develop a budget for the $10,000 members raised during their last meeting,
and for new fund raising plans.
Highlights from the past academic year
Dr. Cecilia Giusti joined the LAUP faculty in fall 2005 as an assistant
professor. Dr. Cecilia Giusti obtained bachelor and professional degrees in
economics from the Catholic University in Lima, Peru. She worked for several
years as
a researcher at the Economic Research Division at the Central Bank in Lima
before pursuing an M.A. in Community and Regional Planning from the Institute
of Social Studies in The Netherlands. Later, she obtained her Ph.D. from the
University of Texas at Austin with a dissertation, “Urban Restructuring
in Latin America: the Cases of Lima and Mexico City,” which examined
links between models of economic development and the evolution of these mega-cities.
***
Dr. Kimberly Winson-Geideman joins Texas A&M after completing a Ph.D.
in Urban Studies in 2003 at Cleveland State University and spending two years
as an assistant professor at Savannah State University in Georgia. Her primary
research interests are the re-use of contaminated land and residential property
valuation. She has also focused on coastal development policy and the impact
of landscaping on office property value.
Urban Planning Program News
This fall was a busy one for the MUP program, as we welcomed several new faculty,
new students, and even a few students who were displaced from Now Orleans universities
due to Hurricane Katrina. Everyone is settling in well. The Applied Planning
class took on two challenging projects: an economic development plan for the
city of Castle Hills, TX, and a neighborhood revitalization plan for the city
of Lewisville, TX. Both projects will continue into the spring semester, and
an urban design study for the areas affected by the widening of I-35 in Lewisville
will also be undertaken then.
The faculty have embarked on several important MUP program activities. First,
we are trying to spread the word about the existence and quality of the program.
To that end we have developed a short, dynamic PowerPoint presentation and
a series of interim brochures that are available for anyone to use in recruiting.
If you would like a free copy of the PowerPoint or the brochures, contact me
at 979-862-2730, ebright@archmail.tamu.edu. We also sponsored receptions at
the Texas Chapter American Planning Association annual conference in Fort Worth
and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning annual conference in
Kansas City. A good time was had by all attendees, and I enjoyed meeting some
of our former students. Speaking of former students, we have also developed
a listserv for you. If you have not received any email from this listserv please
contact me and I will get you added to the list. This is a great way to get
back in touch with your classmates, find or post a job, and keep up with program
events.
Dr. Eric Dumbaugh joined the department in the fall of 2006. He will be an
assistant professor for the Master’s of Urban
Planning program. Eric has had many publications, refereed conference proceedings,
reports and monographs, presentations and invited speaking engagements, funded
research activities and consulting and professional service. Eric received
his Ph. D. from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Georgia
Institute of Technology in 2005. He received his first masters degree from
the Department of City and Regional Planning at Georgia Institute of Technology
in 2002 and the second masters degree from the Department of Civil Engineering
at Georgia Institute of Technology in 2002. Eric received his B.A.
degree in English Literature from the Florida State University in 1996.
Highlights from the past academic year
Fall 2005 was a busy one for the MUP program, as the program gained several
new faculty, new students, and even a few students who were displaced from
New Orleans universities due to Hurricane Katrina.
The Applied Planning class took on two challenging projects: an economic development
plan for the city of Castle Hills, Texas; and a neighborhood revitalization
plan for the city of Lewisville, Texas. Students are also working on an urban
design study for the areas affected by the widening of I35 in Lewisville.
***
Dr. Cecilia Giusti joined the LAUP faculty in fall 2005 as an assistant professor.
Dr.
Cecilia Giusti obtained bachelors and professional degrees in economics from
the Catholic University in Lima, Peru. She worked for several years as
a researcher at the Economic Research Division at the Central Bank in Lima
before pursuing an M.A. in Community and Regional Planning from the Institute
of Social Studies in The Netherlands. Later, she obtained her Ph.D. from the
University of Texas at Austin with a dissertation, “Urban Restructuring
in Latin America: the Cases of Lima and Mexico City.”
***
Dr. Shannon Van Zandt joined the LAUP faculty in fall 2005 as an assistant
professor. She comes to Texas A&M from the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill, where she was a senior research associate at the Center for
Urban and Regional Studies, and adjunct professor in the Department of City
and Regional Planning. She completed a doctorate at Chapel Hill in 2003 and
also holds urban planning and environmental design degrees from Texas A&M.
***
Dr. Michael Neuman received a $25,000 grant from Generalitat de Catulunya,
Spain for studying “Building Institutions for Flexible Governance:
Planning in Barcelona and Madrid.”
***
Dr. Elise Bright received the Current Planning Award from the Texas Chapter
of the American Planning Association at the annual state conference in October.
Bright was recognized for guiding graduate students.
***
Dr. Dawn Jordan was recognized for receiving highest teaching evaluations from
graduate classes.
***
HRRC Faculty Helps News Media, World Interpret Disaster. In the wake of the Katrina
disaster, news media from around the world turned to the MUP professors/disaster
experts at College of Architecture’s Hazard
Reduction and Recovery Center to gain understanding about this catastrophic
event. Last fall, HRRC faculty, including Michael Lindell, Carla Prater, and
center director Walter G. Peacock, fielded more than 200 media queries. Many
of the world’s leading news outlets sought insight from the faculty of
the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center at Texas A&M’s College of
Architecture. Among the noteworthy news agencies whose reportage included insight
from HRRC faculty
were: the Associated Press, Christian Science Monitor, Chronicle of
Higher Education, Los Angles Times, Miami Herald, New Orleans Times Picayune,
New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, ABC News,
CNN, and National Public Radio.
Urban and Regional Science Ph.D. Program News
The URSC Faculty Advisory Committee is engaged in a strategic planning process
and plans to have a draft strategic plan ready for discussion and approval
in the Fall of 2005. This together with the revised curriculum places the program
on a solid foundation. The department is engaged in a marketing plan. The revised
curriculum and strategic plan provide the basic nature of what can be marketed.
An enhanced web site is central to the marketing plan. Target brochures will
provide essential “leave-behinds” or “send-outs” that
point to the web for up-to-date information. Ph.D. students need information
about the kinds of specialties offered, the faculty in specific areas, and
the placement of recent graduates. This material will provide dynamic and up
to date information on the program and the faculty involved in it. The URSC
Faculty Advisory Committee recognizes the need to develop a better web presence.
Former students interested in having links to our web site should send web
or email information to jwithers@archone.tamu.edu.
Highlights from the past academic year
Dr. Cecilia Giusti joined the LAUP faculty in fall 2005 as an assistant professor.
Dr. Cecilia Giusti obtained bachelors and professional degrees in economics
from the Catholic University in Lima, Peru. She worked for several years as
a researcher at the Economic Research Division at the Central Bank in Lima
before pursuing an M.A. in Community and Regional Planning from the Institute
of Social Studies in The Netherlands. Later, she obtained her Ph.D. from the
University of Texas at Austin with a dissertation, “Urban Restructuring
in Latin America: the Cases of Lima and Mexico City.”
***
Dr. Kimberly Winson-Geideman joins Texas A&M after completing a Ph.D.
in Urban Studies in 2003 at Cleveland State University and spending two years
as an assistant professor at Savannah State University in Georgia. Her primary
research interests are the re-use of contaminated land and residential property
valuation. She has also focused on coastal development policy and the impact
of landscaping on office property value.
***
Mr. Pliny Fisk, hired as part of Texas A&M’s faculty reinvestment
plan, joins the College of Architecture as a joint faculty member between the
departments of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning.
***
Dr. Shannon Van Zandt joined the LAUP faculty in fall 2005 as an assistant
professor.
She comes to Texas A&M from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
where she was a senior research associate at the Center for Urban and Regional
Studies, and adjunct professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning.
She completed a doctorate at Chapel Hill in 2003 and also holds urban planning
and environmental design degrees from Texas A&M.
***
Dr. Taner R . Ozdil is joined the full-time LAUP faculty in Summer 2006 as
a Visiting Assistant Professor. Dr. Ozdil was a part-time Assistant Lecturer
for the department for the past six years.
***
URSC Students’ (Miriam Olivares and Praveen Maghelal Project Receives)
Local and National Recognition. The project advisor was By Dr. Douglas Wunneburger.
Students received first place awards for presentations at Texas A&M Student
Research Week 2005 and the Texas A&M University System’s Pathways
to the Doctorate
Symposium.
***
The URSC Faculty Advisory Committee is engaged in a strategic planning process
and plans to have a draft strategic plan for discussion and approval by spring
2006. This together with the revised curriculum places the program on a solid
foundation. The department is also engaged in a marketing plan. The revised curriculum
and strategic plan provide the basic nature of what can be marketed. An enhanced
Web site is central to the plan. Target brochures will provide essential “leave-behinds” or “sendouts” that
point to the Web for up-to-date information. Ph.D. students need information
about the kinds of specialties offered, the faculty in specific areas, and
the placement of recent graduates. This material will provide dynamic, current
information on the program and the faculty involved. The URSC Faculty Advisory
Committee recognizes the need to develop a better Web presence. Former students
interested in having links to our Web site should send Web or e-mail information
to jwithers@archone.tamu.edu.
***
Katrina aftermath: HRRC
Faculty Helps News Media, World Interpret Disaster. In the wake of the Katrina
disaster, news media from around the world turned to the MUP professors/disaster
experts at College of Architecture’s Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center
to gain understanding about this catastrophic event. Last fall, HRRC faculty,
including Michael Lindell, Carla Prater, and center director Walter G. Peacock,
fielded more than 200 media queries. Many of the world’s leading news
outlets sought insight from the faculty of the Hazard Reduction and Recovery
Center at Texas A&M’s College of Architecture. Among the noteworthy
news agencies whose reportage included insight from HRRC faculty were: the
Associated Press, Christian Science Monitor, Chronicle of Higher Education,
Los Angles Times, Miami Herald, New Orleans Times Picayune, New York Times,
USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, BBC, ABC News, CNN, and National
Public Radio
***
Harlow Landphair retires after 31 years at Texas A&M. Getting a taste of
his
approaching retirement after 31 years at Texas A&M,
last April Harlow Landphair enjoys fishing with granddaughter, Kelsie. This
spring there is a large blank spot on the floor of the Langford Building — the
place where Harlow Landphair’s shadow was once cast. Harlow has retired
from the Texas A&M University to “take his boat to the coast, and
do some serious fishing.” For the past 31 years Harlow has spent his professional
life changing the way landscape architecture is practiced. In 1974, Murphy recalled,
Harlow “blew
in like a strong north wind and never let up.” He came to A&M as
an assistant professor with the intention of earning a doctorate in the process.
At that time, the College of Architecture had one of the few doctoral programs
in architecture. It was a professional degree, the doctor of environmental
design, and Harlow was one of, if not the, first in landscape architecture
to earn one. He used his studies to focus on the technical aspects of design
practice and his textbook, “Landscape Architecture Construction,” was
the outcome.
***
Dr. Sam Brody received a Sea Grant Award worth $367,663 from National Oceanographic
Atmospheric Administration for the research “Developing a Coastal Communities
Planning Atlas as an Educational Tool for Decision Makers and Local Residents.” The
research team also includes Dr. Doug Wunneburger, Dr. Walt Peacock, Dr. Forster
Ndubisi and Ms. June Martin.
Other Sources of News
College
News (Inside Track Newsletter)
Departmental
Newsletter (Perspectives Newsletter)
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