Foundations of Resilience: WashU Grads Designing for Climate and Justice

This panel brings together nationally recognized architects, urban designers, and educators to examine the intersection of climate resilience, social justice, and human-centered design. Panelists will share case studies and professional experiences that highlight how the built environment can promote equity, public health, and community well-being. Attendees will explore design strategies that uplift marginalized communities, strengthen ecological and social systems, and reimagine infrastructure for greater resilience. The discussion will connect academic research, grassroots advocacy, and professional practice to provide actionable insights for advancing equity in the built environment.

Speakers:

• Elisandra Garcia, Principal at PLACE in Portland, OR
  
• Tom Klein, Director for the University of Miami’s Center for Urban and Community Design, Miami FL
  
• Cierra Higgins, President of NOMA NW, Architect at Environmental Works in Seattle, WA
  
• Stacy Bourne, Principal Architect at the Bourne Group in St. Louis, MO