Lindsay M. Braun

Lindsay M. Braun is an Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois, specializing in the intersection of the built environment, transportation behavior, and social equity. Her research focuses on active transportation (walking/cycling), public health, and equitable urban development. She holds a PhD and Master’s from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BA from Centre College. Prior to academia, she worked as a transportation planning consultant, collaborating with agencies on community impact assessments and practitioner resources.

Education

• PhD in City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Master of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• BA in Urban Development Studies, Centre College, Kentucky

Research Focus

Dr. Braun examines how transportation infrastructure impacts health equity, particularly for marginalized communities. Key themes include equitable access to cycling/walking infrastructure, the health co-benefits of active transportation, and the unintended consequences of green infrastructure investments on gentrification. She critiques the reliance on crowd-sourced data in planning and advocates for inclusive equity frameworks in urban policy.

Articles Overview

Her recent work addresses disparities in cycling safety, walkability’s differential health impacts, and the equity implications of bike-sharing systems. She emphasizes spatial analysis and policy evaluation to bridge research and practice.

Awards & Grants

No specific awards listed, though her work aligns with initiatives promoting equitable urban development.

Advising & Teaching

• Advised MUP capstone students: Ryan Graves, Citra Ayu, Parag Gupta
• Teaches courses on Urban Transportation Planning, Pedestrian/Bicycle Planning, and Public Transportation Planning

Labs & Collaborations

Collaborates with practitioners on applied projects like the Cincinnati Red Bike evaluation and co-benefits literature reviews. Engages in interdisciplinary research linking urban planning with public health metrics.