(Sub)urban Parks
Parks play a vital role in the health and wellness of human communities as well as provide critical habitat and ecosystem services in the densely developed (sub)urban landscapes of New Jersey. CUES prepares conceptual designs and master plans for individual parks and park systems that balance recreational needs with ecological best practices, engaging local residents throughout the planning process to ensure long-term sustainability.
(Sub)urban Environmental Planning
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States. Holistic planning and design approaches are needed to maximize human and environmental benefits derived from limited (sub)urban open spaces and public lands. CUES works with public representatives and the NGO community to engage public participation in (sub)urban land use planning and design decisions.
(Sub)urban Restoration & Resilience
Climate change makes New Jersey's densely populated (sub)urban communities and their critical infrastructure vulnerable to threats from storm events. At the same time, New Jersey's post-industrial heritage offers an unprecedented opportunity to convert brownfields and other underutilized lands into usable open space and habitat for diverse species. CUES provides scientific and design support to communities on a wide range of land management, restoration, and resilience issues.
Current Projects
See what's going on. Developing innovative solutions that support communities does not happen behind closed doors. CUES shares progress and welcomes input along the way.
Design Studios & Workshops
CUES offers Rutgers undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to join our project teams as Interns and Research Fellows. Selected topics are introduced in design studios. CUES research and design challenges provide a "real world" learning experience, while our students force us to always approach questions creatively and to think "outside the box".
Educational Programs
CUES is a unique joint venture between the Departments of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Science, under the office of the Dean for Agriculture and Urban Programs in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.