Reid Ewing

Reid Ewing, Ph.D. is a Distinguished Professor of City and Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah and holds the Distinguished Chair for Resilient Places. He has served as associate editor for the Journal of the American Planning Association and Cities, and as a columnist for Planning Magazine, where he wrote 71 bi-monthly columns titled "Research You Can Use."

• Education: BS in Mechanical Engineering (Purdue University, 1970), MS in Engineering and Applied Physics (Harvard University, 1971), MCP in City and Regional Planning (Harvard University, 1973), and Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Transportation Systems (MIT, 1978).

Ewing’s research focuses on urban planning, transportation systems, and the built environment, with a particular emphasis on transit-oriented development, smart growth, and the health impacts of urban sprawl. His work has been widely cited, including over 33,000 citations and recognition as a top-cited planning faculty member in the U.S. and Canada.

His notable publications include the books:

• Basic Quantitative Research Methods for Urban Planners (APA Planning Essential),
• Pedestrian and Transit Oriented Design (ULI and APA co-publication),
• Growing Cooler: Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change,
• Best Development Practices (listed among APA’s 100 essential planning books).

Key peer-reviewed articles include:

• "Travel and the Built Environment: A Meta-Analysis" (2010, Best Article of the Year, APA),
• "Relationship Between Urban Sprawl and Physical Activity, Obesity, and Morbidity" (highly cited in social sciences),
• "Is Los Angeles-Style Sprawl Desirable?" (APA Classic Article).

He has received multiple awards, including the Weddle Prize (2015), APA’s Best Article award (2010), and Urban Land Institute Academic Fellowship (2009).

Ewing has led numerous grants, such as:

• "Center for Transit Oriented Communities (CTOC)" (2023-2025),
• "Housing Density and Affordability Near Transit" (2024),
• "Increasing Public Transportation Ridership with Micromobility" (2023-2025),
• "Travel Corridor" (2018-2020, Utah Transit Authority),
• "Wasatch Buildout" (2018, Wasatch Backcountry Alliance).

He has taught courses like City & Metro Econ, Dissertation Research Proposal, and Quantitative Methods, and served in professional roles such as associate editorships and U.S. Green Building Council membership.