A Geodesign approach to environmental design education: Framing the pedagogy, evaluating the results

This paper examines the outcomes of a Geodesign approach to training undergraduates and graduate students in environmental design and related professions. The focus of this paper is on the role of Geodesign in generalist environmental design training. This paper is organized in three parts. First, it describes a conceptual framework for Geodesign that seats it within a context of theory and practice. Second, we present a case study of the University of Colorado Geodesign program, including, at the time under review in this case, undergraduate and masters programs in architecture, landscape architecture and planning. Third, we reflect back both on the conceptual framework and the experience of the University of Colorado. In this research we developed an instrument with which to evaluate final class projects, and assess learning outcomes of beginning and advanced studios, special topics classes and Geodesign modules. While a number of Geodesign programs are underway relatively little has been written about Geodesign pedagogy. This paper explores issues and opportunities in Geodesign education based on the University of Colorado case.