This area of concentration within the Ph.D. in Design program explores design relationships between human use and built and natural environments. Research into problems that occur at these intersections requires collaborative study in the disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture in the College of Design. In this way, the Ph.D. in Design differs from more discipline-specific doctoral programs.

This concentration emphasizes research issues related to user needs, community participation, community-based decision making, and ecologically appropriate design. Typical research addresses environments for special populations such as children, youth, aging, and people with disabilities; sustainable communities, neighborhood conservation and pedestrian environments. There is special interest in “universal design,” an inclusive approach to design that addresses the full range of user abilities. Design in multicultural communities is also of particular concern. With the growth of social and ecological concerns, more expertise is required in working with and understanding the diverse needs of complex stakeholder groups to ensure that the designed environment will function adequately to meet human needs while conforming to sustainable development criteria.