Ellen Dunham-Jones

Ellen Dunham-Jones is a Professor and Director of the Master of Science in Urban Design Program at the Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Design, School of Architecture. She is a leading expert in sustainable suburban redevelopment, co-author of the influential 'Retrofitting Suburbia' book series, and a PROSE Award recipient. Her work focuses on transforming aging suburban infrastructure into healthier, more sustainable communities through urban design solutions.

Education: A.B. in Architecture and Planning (Princeton University, 1980); Master of Architecture (Princeton University, 1983); Registered Architect in New York state (1989–2015). Prior to Georgia Tech, she taught at the University of Virginia and MIT.

Research interests include suburban retrofitting strategies, autonomous vehicles' impact on urban form, climate resilience, and equitable urban development. She lectures globally, leads community workshops, and serves on national urbanism boards. Her research addresses urgent challenges like automobile dependence, public health, climate adaptation, and social equity.

Notable achievements include the PROSE Award (2009) for 'Retrofitting Suburbia' and widely cited publications on topics like dead malls' reinvention, microtransit systems, and infrastructure sustainability. She advocates for data-driven, community-centered approaches to urban challenges.

Her academic contributions span teaching, research, and applied projects. She advises on urban design strategies for cities worldwide, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact.