Suwan Shen

Suwan Shen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, specializing in climate change adaptation, critical infrastructure vulnerability, and transportation resilience. Her research integrates GIS, spatial analysis, and climate projections to assess risks to coastal transportation networks and emergency services.

• Education:
  • PhD in Urban and Regional Planning, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • M.A. in Transportation Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • B.A. in Geographical Information Science, Southeast University, China

Research Interests:
Suwan Shen investigates the intersection of climate change, critical infrastructure, and social vulnerability. Her work combines physical infrastructure analysis (e.g., transportation networks, wastewater systems) with social sensitivity studies, utilizing community surveys and social media data to understand adaptive capacity in coastal regions.

Notable Projects:
Oahu Resilience Hub Action Plan (2021-2023), Assessing Transportation Adaptation Options to Sea Level Rise (CSET, 2019-2020), and Physical Exposure/Social Sensitivity Studies (Pacific Southwest UTC, 2017-2018).

Grants and Funding:
Supported by institutions including the Center for Safety Equity in Transportation (CSET), Pacific Southwest Region 9 University Transportation Center, and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant.