Eugénie L. Birch

Eugénie L. Birch is the Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design, Department of City and Regional Planning. She serves as Chair of the Graduate Group in City and Regional Planning and Co-Director of the Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR). Additionally, she is President of the General Assembly of Partners (GAP) and Co-chair of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Thematic Group on Cities.

Professor Birch's research focuses on global urbanization, urban development, and climate resilience. Her work examines how cities can become more sustainable, equitable, and resilient in the face of climate change and rapid urbanization. She has particular expertise in urban governance, municipal finance, and international urban policy frameworks such as the New Urban Agenda. Her research spans both theoretical and practical approaches to urban challenges, with significant attention to implementation mechanisms.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on climate finance mechanisms for cities, sustainable housing solutions, and urban governance structures that can support resilient development. She has been instrumental in developing innovative financial tools like the Green Cities Guarantee Fund to unlock climate finance for urban infrastructure projects, addressing the critical gap in funding for urban climate resilience.

Scientific Awards

• Distinguished Educator Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (2009)
• Jay Chatterjee Award for Distinguished Service (2006)
• Margarita McCoy Award for advancing women in planning academia (1994)
• Lawrence C. Gerckens Prize from the Society of American City and Regional Planning History (2009)
• APA President's Award for leadership in planning (2013)
• Elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (2000)
• Honorary Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (2000)

Professor Birch has held numerous leadership positions in academic and professional organizations throughout her career. She has served as president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning, the Society of American City and Regional Planning History, and the International Planning History Society. She was co-editor of the Journal of the American Planning Association and has served on multiple editorial boards. Her civic engagement includes service on the New York City Planning Commission and the World Trade Center site design jury.

Through the Penn Institute for Urban Research, Professor Birch leads the City Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Financing Initiative (C2IFI) and other major projects focused on urban climate resilience. Her work bridges academic research with practical policy implementation, particularly through her leadership roles with UN Habitat processes and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network.