Elizabeth Gearin, Ph.D.

Dr. Elizabeth Gearin, Assistant Professor of Urban Sustainability at UDC, focuses on sustainable land use, community engagement, and biophilia. She has led research on urban foodways and park usage, and has experience in teaching, consulting, and public service. Gearin has held leadership roles in Arlington County’s forestry, planning, and parks commissions.

Experience

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Policy, Planning and Development, University of Southern California, 2008 
Graduate Certificate: Sustainable Cities, University of Southern California, 2005 
Master of City and Regional Planning, California Polytechnic State University, 1996 
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1988 

Roles

Assistant Professor, Urban Sustainability, UDC, 2023-Present  
Project Specialist, Urban Planning, UDC, 2020-23 
President, E. Gearin, Associates, 2010-20 
Lecturer, George Washington University, 2018-Present 
Lecturer, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2012-19 

Courses Taught

Environmental Studies and Sustainability  
Research Methodology  
Environmental Health  
Environmental Policy  
Urban Sustainability  
Senior Project  
Internship: Urban Sustainability  
Urban Land Use Planning  

Expertise

Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Arts in Urban Sustainability, UDC 
Community Representative for UDC 
Research and community engagement: urban foodways, park usage preferences, green infrastructure and gentrification, urban sustainability 
American Institute of Certified Planners, 1998 
National Development Council Housing Development Finance Professional, 1997 

Research Focus / Works in Progress

Sustainable land use and community engagement; biophilia and benefits of greening to urban populations 

Leadership

Commissioner, Arlington County Forestry and Natural Resources Commission, 2023-Present 
Commissioner, Arlington County Planning Commission, 2015-22 
County Board Appointed Chair, 2020-21 
Commissioner, Arlington County Parks and Recreation Commission, 2010-15  
Public Spaces Master Plan Working Group, 2015-20 

Impact

Selected Publications

Gearin, E., Huron, A., Furukawa, T., & Karos, O. (2025). Assessing ecological stewardship in the nation’s capital: Applying STEW-MAP in Washington, D.C. [Submitted for publication] 

Gearin, E., & Hurt, C. S. (2024). Making space: A new way for community engagement in the urban planning process. Sustainability, 16(5), 2039. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052039 

Hampton, M., O’Hara, S., & Gearin, E. (2024). Assessing restorative community development frameworks—A meso-level and micro-level integrated approach. Sustainability, 16(5), 2061. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16052061 

Gearin, E., Dunson, K., & Hampton, M. (2023). Greened out: Exploring the understanding and effects of green infrastructure on Washington, D.C. residents. Architecture_MPS: Re-Community Special Issue, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.14324/111.444.amps.2023v25i1.002

Selected Presentations

Gearin, E., & Huron, A. (2024). Assessing ecological stewardship in the nation’s capital: Applying STEW-MAP in Washington, D.C. Presentation for D.C. Community Members and Leadership, Washington, D.C. 

Gearin, E., Dunson, K., & Hampton, M. (2022). Greened out: Exploring the understanding and effects of green infrastructure on Washington, D.C. residents. Cultures, Communities, and Design Conference, Alberta, Canada. 

Gearin, E., Dunson, K., & Hampton, M. (2022). Greened out: Exploring the understanding and effects of green infrastructure on Washington, D.C. residents. Department of Energy and Environment, Washington, D.C. 

Walden, E., Gearin, E., & Werner, C. (2023). Belonging and co-creation in the biophilic city. American Planning Association, Virtual.

Selected Grants

United States Department of Agriculture. (2023). Mapping diverse services from alternative urban food provisioning networks and identifying opportunities for policy support. 

United States Department of Agriculture. (2023). Mapping contemporary and historic ecological stewardship in Washington, D.C. 

Recognitions

Oxon Run Day Award, 2024 

Invited Participations

Gearin, E. (2025). Climate impacts to community health. Friends of Oxon Run, Virtual. 

Gearin, E. (2023). Biophilia—Arlington, Virginia: A case study in sustainable urban planning. Biophilic Leadership Summit: Emerging Concepts in Biophilia, Serenbe, Georiga.