Our Approach to Research
Pushing at the periphery of knowledge and creative practice
Photo: Douglas Levere
Drawing from deep traditions in research and creative practice, the School of Architecture and Planning is infused with a culture of experimentation. Our faculty, researchers, and students engage in purposeful research that tackles complex societal challenges, locally and globally. Ideas come to life in the community as we test, apply and scale research in practice settings. Our practice-driven research takes place in diverse community settings hand in hand with citizens, government and entrepreneurially-minded partners in industry.
Nationally and globally recognized
Research generated by our faculty is featured in top architecture and planning journals including Built Environment, Journal of the American Planning Association, the Journal of Architecture and Planning Research, and the Journal of Planning Education. View peer-reviewed articles published by our faculty.
Evidence-based
The school is home to award-winning faculty whose research is routinely translated into evidence-based action in new plans, policies, designs, and programs in Buffalo and beyond. The breadth of our impact spans the fields of inclusive design, food systems planning, material and build systems development, and climate resilient design.
Practice-driven
Research at the School of Architecture and Planning is situated in real-world challenges and practice environments. By working with professionals and civic stakeholders, faculty and students generate innovative, forward-looking solutions to problems facing industry and communities today.
Transdisciplinary
The School of Architecture and Planning forges new intellectual territory by working across the disciplines at UB, the most comprehensive public research university in the Northeast. Transdisciplinary research initiatives led by our faculty generate new research questions and solutions in partnership with disciplines as diverse as public health and engineering, and with community partners around the world and in our own backyard.
Inclusive
Our faculty purposefully choose to work on questions of equity, inclusion, and diversity toward the planning, design and development of just communities.
Engaged in creative production
From prototypes and built works to installations and exhibitions, our creative work is funded by nonprofits, industry and government, and recognized nationally and globally. Realized in the communities around us, from Buffalo to Costa Rica, our creative practice both contributes to an improved quality of life and the innovation of our professions.
Collegial and collaborative
Faculty take great pride in engaging students in research and creative activities. Many of our students have co-published articles and books with faculty, and actively participate in creative projects of our faculty. We encourage students to reach out to centers and labs to seek research internships.
Supported by robust infrastructure
The School of Architecture and Planning is home to internationally-regarded research centers and labs. Our faculty also play lead roles on several university-wide research centers with transdisciplinary missions. The following centers and labs are central to the research and creative practice of our school.
The School is home to several national archives and databases led by scholars in planning and architecture:
Engage with us
The School of Architecture and Planning welcomes partnerships with collaborators and researchers across academic, private and civic sectors. If you or your organization would like to partner with our faculty and research programs, please contact our Associate Dean for Research JiYoung Park at jp292@buffalo.edu.