In April 2018, Molly Burhans was an invited speaker and panelist at the American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. The session, titled Global Applications of the Geodesign Framework—This Is Geodesign: Contributions from the Field, Part 2, was sponsored by the Urban Geography Specialty Group and the Human Dimensions of Global Change Specialty Group.
Burhans delivered a presentation exploring the global applications of the Geodesign framework, focusing on how it can be utilized to address complex challenges in environmental planning, land use, and sustainability. Drawing from her work in cartography, sustainability, and ecclesiastical geography, she highlighted how Geodesign’s integrative approach combines spatial data, stakeholder collaboration, and iterative design to inform decisions that balance human needs with environmental preservation.
She also joined a panel discussion alongside Carl Steinitz, a pioneering figure in the field of Geodesign. Steinitz, the Alexander and Victoria Wiley Professor of Landscape Architecture and Planning Emeritus at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, is renowned for his foundational contributions to Geodesign and his innovative work on linking geographic information systems (GIS) with design and planning processes. Together, they discussed the transformative potential of Geodesign in addressing global-scale challenges, emphasizing its capacity to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and actionable insights for a sustainable future.
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting is a premier international conference that draws over 8,000 attendees, including scholars, researchers, and practitioners, to explore advancements in geography, GIScience, and related disciplines through presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities.