Natural Hazards Resilience Speakers Series:

Dr. Alex Felson, Associate Professor, Yale University – “Disasters and Design: An Ecological Perspective”

Dr. Alex Felson will provide an overview of the concepts associated with disasters and design in pre- and post-disaster settings, including his work following Hurricane Sandy. Emphasis will be placed on the intersection between ecological processes and design, including how this thinking informs his work with communities.

Dr. Felson is an ecologist and registered landscape architect. His scholarly research focuses on urban land systems, including green infrastructure, local and regional park design, community and landscape ecology, and climate change adaptation. Dr. Felson’s design work integrates basic and applied ecological research as a driver of the form, layout, and function of urban design, planning and infrastructure projects. He integrates ecosystem services and public space into urban landscape-based projects across the country. Dr. Felson seeks new ways of constructing biologically rich systems through research-based design and adaptive management.