photo of a stream in Belize with yellow paddle boats parked along the side.

Summer Abroad Belize - Instructor

Paradise Found—Sustainable Planning and Design

Jeff Loux

Staff Photo
Human Ecology and Landscape Architecture

Dr. Jeff Loux has 40 years of diverse professional and academic experience in environmental planning and sustainable design practices. His career has included: 10 years as a planning and design consultant in the Bay Area, 10 years as a City Planning Director or City Manager, and 20 years as a UC Davis academic; Associate Dean of Continuing Education and Associate Professor of Environmental Design. He is author of several books on Natural Resource/Open Space Conservation and (sustainable) Water and Land Use, as well as articles and book chapters on community engagement, water use efficiency and multiple environmental planning topics. Dr. Loux created and taught the UC Davis Summer Abroad course, Sustainable Cities of Northern Europe for 14 years prior to 2024. He was recipient of the James Meyer Distinguished Serve Award in 2013 at UC Davis. He lives with his partner, Wendy and their dog Cali in the Sierra Nevada in Truckee.

A Message to Students and Parents

My interests and practice in sustainable policy, planning and design dates back to undergraduate days at UC Santa Barbara when the term “sustainable” was not even in use. It has led me to a variety of professional avenues from consulting environmental planner to being a town manager to being an academic researcher, teacher and administrator. But, always with the objective of reconciling protection of the environment while providing quality places for human development. I have been to Belize on several occasions and find its marine and rain forest ecology and its unique history and indigenous culture beautiful, fascinating and threatened. Join me on an exploration of the impossible – can we reimagine paradise for the people and ecological systems of Belize, while still allowing interested visitors to appreciate, enjoy, learn about and respect this unique place in the world?."