Ivis Garcia

Dr. Ivis Garcia is an Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning at Texas A&M University, serving as Master’s Program Coordinator since 2023. She holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago (2015) and has taught at institutions in Chicago, Puerto Rico, and Salt Lake City. Her research focuses on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), qualitative methodologies, and disaster recovery in marginalized communities, particularly in Puerto Rico post-Hurricanes Irma and Maria. She has secured over $1 million in grants from the EPA, NSF, and Natural Hazard Center, with over 60 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and technical reports. Notable works include the APA’s first PAS Report on diversity in planning and studies on housing justice in Puerto Rico. She is affiliated with the Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center and Center for Housing & Urban Development, advocating for equitable urban policies and anti-racist planning practices.

Her scholarly agenda emphasizes empowering underrepresented groups through community-led initiatives, leveraging institutions to address displacement and housing inequities. Research methods include participatory action research, ethnography, and oral histories. Key projects include analyses of FEMA’s R3 Program in Puerto Rico and studies on Latino community resilience in urban environments. Recognitions include the IRP’s Emerging Poverty Scholars and Ford Foundation Fellowships.

Dr. Garcia’s work bridges academia, policy, and practice, addressing topics like homelessness, park equity, and zoning reforms. She actively engages with global institutions, presenting at Columbia University, Georgia Tech, and international forums. Her future research continues to explore community-driven solutions for disaster recovery, housing access, and urban equity.