Ladd Keith

Ladd Keith, Ph.D. is an interdisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of urban planning and climate change to create more sustainable and resilient cities. With over a decade of experience working with diverse stakeholders in cities across the U.S. solving complex urban challenges, he is particularly interested in research that informs practice. His current research explores the emergent area of urban heat governance and how cities manage and mitigate extreme heat risk. He also founded and leads the Sustainable Built Environments degree program which is offered in-person, fully online, and at the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima, Peru.

Keith served a full eight-year term on the City of Tucson Planning Commission and was chair during the creation and adoption of the General & Sustainability Plan. He is an active member of the American Planning Association and serves as an academic liaison for the Arizona Chapter. He is also an active member of the Urban Land Institute and has served on the Sustainable Development Council, was a founding advisory board member of the Center for Sustainability and Economic Performance, has chaired several Advisory Service Panels, and was recognized as one of ULI's 40 under 40.