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.
