Claire Napawan

Claire Napawan is a Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of California, Davis, with over ten years of international experience in urban design and research. Her work centers on community-driven approaches to urban resilience through public space design.

Her academic credentials include:

• Masters in Landscape Architecture, Harvard School of Design, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2005
• Bachelors in Art in Architecture, Washington University School of Architecture, St. Louis, Missouri, 2001

Professor Napawan's research pioneers the integration of digital technology and physical infrastructure to address urban inequality. She focuses on empowering vulnerable communities—particularly urban youth—through participatory design processes that bridge digital divides and climate vulnerability. Her methodology combines social media engagement, green infrastructure, and public art to transform how communities interact with their environments, as demonstrated in projects like Smart Sidewalks and Our Changing Climate.

Her notable recognition includes:

• Vanguard award from Next City (2015), recognizing her as a top '40 under 40' emerging urbanist

Professor Napawan secures municipal commissions for community-focused projects that translate academic research into tangible urban interventions. Her work with Oakland youth and San Jose infrastructure awareness demonstrates applied research that bridges academia and civic engagement.

She leads collaborative initiatives through grouprojects.com and contributes to UC ANR's urban agriculture program (ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanAg/), maintaining active community partnerships via Twitter/Instagram @sf_opencity.