Posted on October 15, 2025
Post categories: Faculty Landscape Architecture
The College of Built Environments (CBE) welcomes Assistant Professor Jade Orr to the Department of Landscape Architecture. Her work explores how design, planning, and policy shape public space, democracy, and collective agency, bringing new perspectives to the study and practice of landscape architecture.
Academic Journey
Orr began her academic career with an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and Humanities before earning a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) from the University of Southern California. After completing her MLA, she worked in professional practice in both San Diego and Los Angeles, contributing to a range of public and private projects.
Her experiences in practice deepened her curiosity about research and the broad capacity of landscape architecture and the built environment disciplines. This led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Geography, Planning, and Design from the University of Colorado Denver, which she recently completed.
Research Focus
Orr’s research explores the intersections between public space, democracy, and collective agency. Her doctoral work examined how public spaces shape or enable opportunities for collective action and expression.
“I focused on understanding the connections between design, planning, and legal geographies that underpin our public spaces and how that impacts collective actions,” she explained. “Some of my other research has focused on planning and land use responses to the crisis of homelessness and where some of these responses sit at the intersection of climate, accessibility, and other factors that are important for us to think more critically about.”
Joining CBE
Orr shared that she was drawn to the College because of the influential work of current and former faculty and the collaborative culture of the department. “There is a lot of important and innovative work going on within the College that is really exciting and of interest to me,” she said. “Within my own department the diversity of work and scholarship is something I consider really valuable, but I was also drawn to the sense of community within the department and their emphasis on effective pedagogy and teaching. That is something that really aligns with my values and one of the main reasons that I went into academia.”
Looking ahead, Orr is eager to collaborate across disciplines and engage students in exploring how design and policy influence community life. “I think right now is a really critical and interesting time for higher education and for our profession,” she said. “I am excited to be joining an environment with people whose values align with my own and who are proactive about the work that needs to be done.”
Department Welcome
Interim Department Chair Julie Parrett shared her excitement about Orr’s arrival, noting that her work enriches and expands how landscape architecture engages with design, policy, and the public realm. “Jade brings an incredible depth of thinking about how design, planning, and policy shape the public realm and our shared experiences within it,” said Parrett. “Her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to pedagogy align beautifully with our department’s values, and we are delighted to welcome her to our community.”
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