Aaron Liggett
| Position | Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture |
|---|---|
| Phone | 805.756.2915 |
| aliggett@calpoly.edu | |
| Office | 34-253 |
| Office Hours |
Fall 2024 Mondays 1:00pm - 3:00pm Wednesdays 1:00pm - 3:00pm or by appointment |
Areas of Expertise
- Urban Ecological Design
- Ecological Restoration
- Landscape Performance
- Nature-based Solutions
- Environmental Justice
- Drone Mapping and GIS Analysis
Faculty Biography
Aaron holds a B.S. in Physical Geography from UC Santa Barbara and a Master's in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona. As an undergrad, he spent a year abroad in Costa Rica studying conservation biology and immersive Spanish, leading him to earn a Minor in Spanish Literature.
Before pursuing his graduate studies, Aaron worked as an aerial photographer and surveyor, mapping various landscapes and cities worldwide. This experience gave him a unique perspective of cultural landscapes, architectural styles, and the social use of public spaces, ultimately inspiring him to pursue a career in landscape architecture.
While earning an MLA, Aaron focused on sustainable tourism development. This interest stemmed from his travels abroad and observations of degraded environments, impoverished communities, and diminished cultural identities resulting from haphazard urban growth. His Master's Report on sustainable tourism in Baja California Sur, Mexico, helped him gain an ASLA Award for his academic achievements.
Aaron's current academic research revolves around Urban Ecological Planning and Design, focusing on urban watershed management and developing nature-based solutions for social equity. He experiments with innovative data collection and visualization techniques using drones and GIS analysis. He also researches methods to evaluate the environmental, economic, and sociocultural performances of urban and ecological landscapes.
In addition to teaching, Aaron is a practicing licensed landscape architect and a LEED Accredited Professional. His professional work includes hospitality, public spaces, and ecological restoration projects.
