Innovation and Scholarship at Inaugural 2026 CAPPA Forum: Research & Creative Works Symposium
The College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs (CAPPA) at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) hosted its inaugural 2026 CAPPA Forum: Research & Creative Works Symposium, bringing together faculty, students, and invited experts for a day dedicated to celebrating innovation, scholarship, and creative inquiry.
Centered around the theme "Designing the Future Metropolis," the symposium highlighted the wide-ranging research, design explorations, and creative work emerging across the college. Throughout the day, students and faculty exchanged ideas, engaged in interdisciplinary discussions, and demonstrated how their work helps shape more resilient and equitable cities.
Opening The Event
The symposium opened with a welcome address from UTA Provost Dr. Tamara L. Brown and CAPPA Dean Ming-Han Li. Provost Brown noted that CAPPA "has achieved so many milestones within a short amount of time," underscoring the college’s momentum following its 10th anniversary.
Pictured: UTA Provost Dr. Tamara L. Brown
Expert Panel Discussion
In the afternoon, attendees joined a dynamic Expert Panel Discussion featuring:
- Blaine Brownell, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Elaine Kearney, FASLA, TBG Partners
- Wayne Atchley, UTA Vice President of Regional Campuses
Panelists discussed interdisciplinary approaches to architecture, planning, and design, emphasizing how collaborative thinking can help shape the future of metropolitan regions.
Pictured L-R: Dr. Karabi Bezboruah, Blaine Brownell, Dr. Wayne Atchley, Elaine Kearney, Dean Ming-Han Li
Distinguished CAPPA community members, including David Tees, former Director of Training and Services in the School of Urban and Public Affairs, and Dr. Paul Geisel, Professor Emeritus, also attended the event.
1st Pictured L-R: Dean Ming-Han Li, David Tees; 2nd Pictured: Bryant Marion, Dr. Paul Geisel, Dean Ming-Han Li
Closing Ceremony and Awards
The symposium concluded with closing remarks and an Awards Ceremony led by Kate Miller, UTA Vice President for Research and Innovation, who emphasized the importance of supporting scholarship that addresses complex urban challenges.
Award-Winning Projects
CAPPA is pleased to announce the following award recipients and honorable mentions across the symposium's three major categories:
I) Best Paper: Ayushi Mavuduru
Bus Transit-Oriented Design for a More Equitable Trinity Metro System in Fort Worth, Texas.
Mavuduru reflected on how presenting at the symposium strengthened her sense of belonging within CAPPA’s scholarly community and encouraged her to “show up—even when it feels incredibly vulnerable” early in her academic journey.
Honorable Mentions
- Amy Trick — Beat the Heat: Cooling Strategies for Dallas' Oak Cliff Neighborhood.
- Wei Zhai — AI-based Home Sensing for Community Resilience in Texas.
II) Best Poster: Aisha Owusu
Community-Led Environmental Justice and Reparative Planning in Sandbranch, Texas.
Owusu said the experience reaffirmed a guiding theme for her career: using atmospheric science and environmental data to empower communities. As a member of the Black community with family roots in Oklahoma's informal settlements, she emphasized the personal significance of translating complex environmental information into accessible, practical tools for underserved neighborhoods. Returning to this work after several years felt “grounding and energizing” as she continues her academic journey.
Honorable Mentions
- Shane Pellerin, Shadi Nazarian, Negar Ashrafi, Brad Bell — Robotic Fabrication and Housing Resilience: Craft, Concrete, and the Future of Semi-Urban Living.
- Nazmun Akter Pia — The Influence of Neighborhood Quality on Children's Health and Well-Being.
III) Best Studio Project: Hortence Keita
Island Park: A Resilient Community Concept.
Honorable Mentions
- Belen Butragueño Diaz-Guerra — Rethinking Tomorrow's Metropolis Through the Lens of Utopian Experiments.
- Monica Maldonado-Griego & Steven Flores — The Living Tree – Rooted in History, Growing Toward Resilience.
A New CAPPA Tradition
The inaugural symposium highlighted the depth of talent and creativity across CAPPA and affirmed the college's commitment to advancing research, design, and public service that addresses the evolving needs of cities and communities.
Pictured: CAPPA Associate Dean for Faculty Success and Research, Dr. Karabi Bezboruah
CAPPA thanks faculty, staff, and students whose contributions made the 2026 CAPPA Forum a resounding success. We look forward to continuing this new tradition and celebrating even more groundbreaking work in the years ahead.
Browse the full photo album HERE and visit the official event webpage for future symposium updates!