Douglas Robb
Assistant Professor
Dr. Douglas Robb has recently joined SAPL as an assistant professor of landscape architecture. He is an interdisciplinary scholar trained in landscape architecture and geography, with professional experience across Canada and Australia. His research centres on the production of just and inclusive climate futures, taking a land-based approach to exploring the biophysical and social dynamics of place, both presently and historically. He promotes landscape literacy through his work and teaching approach, with a focus on rural and Indigenous lands across North America. Much of his work focuses on energy transitions, decarbonization, and evolving concepts of degrowth and “unbuilding” in Canada.
Dr. Robb takes an experiential approach to guide discovery in his work. “I like to think of myself as someone who thinks through land as a medium to ask questions about social and environmental change.” He stresses the importance of grounding this work in community partnerships. As a recent newcomer to Calgary, Dr. Robb is still in the process of building local connections, but his past experiences working on interdisciplinary and collaborative projects across Canada has helped him foster networks, relationships, and skills that he can draw upon wherever he goes. Dr. Robb reminds us that community can be found everywhere—even in conventionally-overlooked places within the local landscape. “I feel tapped into the local magpie and squirrel community whenever I look out my office window!”
Dr. Robb is doing thoughtful work that is paving the way to build resilient and inclusive communities and partnerships. He fosters collaborative networks and a practice of listening that seeks to bring more voices and perspectives into conversations about design and climate change.
Contact Info
Education
HBA (University of Toronto)
MLA (University of Toronto)
PhD (University of British Columbia)
Keywords
- Climate futures
- Resources
- Unbuilding
- Landscape literacy
- Land-based