This research area examines how institutions, policies, and planning processes shape responses to complex environmental and societal challenges.
With planning being a land-based practice, it can have significant influence on how climate change adaptation and mitigation is approached in an effort to achieve community resilience.
Lab members have explored diverse topics relating to environmental planning and governance, including nature-based solutions, adaptation and mitigation trade offs, water planning, heat and housing, and equity and justice, just to name a few.
Research grants
Living with Water Across the Pacific Rim, SSHRC Connection Grant (2025-26)
Nature-based Rural and Indigenous Infrastructure Solutions, SSHRC Insight Grant (2023-27)
Resilience to extreme heat through nature-based solutions, SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2022-26)
Coastal Adaptation: Living with Water, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (2020-2024)
Selected lab publications
Vellios, K. & Doyon, A (2026). Examining Indigenous Resurgence in urban parks through Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Journal of Urban Affairs, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2025.2604037
Chenne, W. & Doyon, A. (2025). How are local government planning for heat mitigation? A study of Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley jurisdictions. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 27(5), 510-523. https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2025.2480691
Okamoto, T., & Doyon, A. (2024). Equity and justice in urban coastal adaptation planning: new evaluation framework. Buildings & Cities, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.5334/bc.377
Rees, A., & Doyon, A. (2023). Unsettling NbS: A pathway towards shifting colonial power relations in nature-based solutions research and practice. PLoS Climate, 2(11), e0000307. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000307
O’Donnell, E., & Doyon, A. (2023). Language, context, and action: Exploring equity and justice content in Vancouver environmental plans. Local Environment, 28(11), 1478-1495. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2023.2238734
Moloney, S. & Doyon, A. (2021). The Resilient Melbourne experiment: Analyzing the conditions for transformative urban resilience implementation. Cities, 110, 103017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2020.103017
Bush, J., & Doyon, A. (2019). Building urban resilience with nature-based solutions: How can urban planning contribute?. Cities, 95, 102483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2019.102483