Farzad Hashemi

Farzad Hashemi serves as an Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture + Planning within The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), affiliated with the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. He leads the Climate-Sensitive Design Lab (CSDL), focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of urban climate science, building performance, and environmental justice.

Education:

• Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Hashemi's research investigates urban heat island phenomena, building energy dynamics, and socio-spatial inequities in thermal exposure. His work employs advanced simulation techniques including GIS, ENVI-met, CFD, and machine learning to analyze climate impacts across diverse urban contexts. Key contributions include examining historical redlining's legacy on contemporary heat distribution, developing parametric workflows for energy modeling, and creating data-driven mitigation strategies for urban heat. His approach integrates technical building science with critical social analysis to address climate vulnerabilities in marginalized communities.

His publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on urban heat mitigation, building energy performance, and environmental justice across multiple U.S. cities. Recent work emphasizes adaptive cooling strategies through computational modeling and examines thermal inequities through spatial analysis of social vulnerability indices. The research bridges technical climate modeling with socio-political dimensions of urban heat exposure.

Honors and Awards:

• The 2024 ARCC Dissertation Award

As director of the Climate-Sensitive Design Lab, Dr. Hashemi develops research initiatives that combine environmental simulation with community-focused design solutions. The lab's work informs both academic discourse and practical urban planning applications, particularly regarding climate adaptation in rapidly growing Sun Belt cities like San Antonio. Current projects integrate tree canopy data, occupancy patterns, and future climate scenarios to create resilient urban environments.