Tim Beatley

Timothy Beatley is the Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture, Department of Urban and Environmental Planning. With over 25 years of teaching and research, he focuses on sustainable and resilient urban strategies, emphasizing reduced ecological footprints and equitable urban design. His work bridges ecological, ethical, and practical dimensions of urban planning.

Beatley holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina (1986) and earlier degrees from the University of Virginia (BCP, 1979) and the University of Oregon (MUP, 1981). His research intersects urban resilience, biophilic cities, blue urbanism, and climate adaptation. He has authored influential books like Biophilic Cities and pioneered frameworks for nature integration in urban spaces.

His publications analyze strategies for cities to thrive through green infrastructure, biodiversity protection, and ethical resource management. Key themes include urban density paired with green spaces, coastal resilience, and equitable resource allocation. Beatley’s work underscores cities as critical drivers of global sustainability.