Equity and Social Justice
Research + Design
As disparities and inequities widen, the College of Environmental Design is committed to practices that empower those who often have the least voice. We engage with neighboring communities, public agencies, nonprofits, industry, and government to advance environmental design as a vehicle for equity and social justice.
Nov 15, 2022
Small Infrastructures
The exhibition Small Infrastructures examines how architectural practice can contribute to recent housing legislation and larger problems of urban housing in the U.S.
Oct 28, 2022
MRED+D students take first place in Hack-a-House Homelessness category
On September 30th, fifteen Abbey MRED+D students (almost half of the thirty-six student cohort) competed in Ivory Innovations’ Hack-A-House competition, with one team winning first place in their category.
Sep 30, 2022
How a Lack of Transparency Threatens to Undermine California’s Rent Cap
This report explores the market dynamics pushing up rents across California and offers recommendations for policies that might strengthen accountability.
Sep 20, 2022
Urban greening research awarded NASA Equity and Environmental Justice Grant
CED is proud to announce that the inaugural NASA Equity and Environmental Justice Grant has been awarded to Professor of Landscape Architecture Iryna Dronova, DCRP Professor Emerita Karen Chapple, and DCRP Assistant Professor Zoé Hamstead for their proposal, "Where the Grass Grows Greener: The Impacts of Urban Greening on Housing Prices and Neighborhood Stability."
Mar 14, 2022
The Climate Crisis: Justice and Solutions
“We cannot address climate change without climate justice,” says Danielle Zoe Rivera, an assistant professor of landscape architecture and environmental planning at Berkeley and a member of the new Climate Equity and Environmental Justice faculty cluster.
Nov 30, 2021
CED names first cohort of Arcus Social Justice Corps fellows
Seeking solutions for society's most urgent social and environmental justice issues, the fellows make up a cohort who will not only dedicate themselves to supporting vulnerable communities but also foster a greater sense of belonging for all CED students.
Sep 2, 2021
New faculty, hired in clusters, to address global issues, equity, justice
Five new faculty members at UC Berkeley this fall hail from disparate U.S. states, academic disciplines and personal backgrounds. But they’re already forming a team partnered around one critical global issue — climate equity and environmental justice —
Jun 10, 2021
Environmental Design gift gives students debt relief, path to public service
CED announces a transformative $5.3 million gift from Berkeley alumnus Jon Stryker that will fund a four-year fellowship program aimed at providing debt relief to more than 100 graduate students.
Jan 21, 2021
A Little Piece of Home / Pedacito de la Tierra: Professor Ronald Rael takes part in migrant shelter project
Architecture Professor Ronald Rael is at the forefront of another project at the southern border – an endeavor to transform migrant shelters along the U.S. - Mexico border by building community and sustainable tools.
Nov 5, 2020
Black Landscapes Matter: Q&A with Landscape Designer Walter Hood
Upon the release of his new book, Walter Hood conceives a landscape architecture rooted in a sense of place, justice, and historical truth. Co-editor, Grace Mitchell Tada is a M.L.A alumna and currently co-teaching a studio with Professor Hood.
May 19, 2020
Berkeley grads win big with proposal to bring affordable housing to Sacramento Armory
In early May, CED Students from multiple departments claimed first place in the James R. Boyce Housing Studio Challenge. Their project centered on new housing in Sacramento as the competition aimed to bring affordable housing to state-owned land.
Feb 26, 2020
Carolina Reid Weighs In on Affordable Housing Crisis in San Francisco
DCRP Associate Professor Carolina Reid weighs in on the housing crisis in California. "We are not going to solve the homelessness crisis if what people are expecting is that cities are going to build affordable housing for every one of those individuals."
Feb 18, 2020
DCRP alum publishes book on how communities of color are leading the environmental justice movement
Michael Mendez (PhD City & Regional Planning 2015) has published his book about the role Latinx and other communities of color are leading on climate change.
Nov 18, 2019
10 Questions with Alexa Vaughn, pioneer in “DeafScape” design
Get to know CED alumna and OLIN landscape designer, Alexa Vaughn who has been making recent headlines for her street design termed, “DeafScape”, which helps make streets more accessible for deaf people.
May 21, 2019
CED lecturer Emily Pilloton featured in Time Magazine video
Emily Pilloton founded Girls Garage to inspire and train girls and young women to “fear less, build more.” In a video produced by Time Magazine, Pilloton reflected on the importance of inviting female role models like Melinda Gates to share their stories.
Mar 28, 2019
Carol Galante on the impact of modular building in affordable housing
Terner Center for Housing Innvoation and Professor of Affordable Housing and Urban Policy Carol Galante provides insight on the potential impacts of modular housing on affordable housing projects in a feature on ArchDaily.