Sustainable Cities of Northern Europe
Haven Kiers
Department of Human Ecology/Environmental Design
Haven Kiers is an associate professor of landscape architecture at UC Davis. She received a BA from Brown University and an MLA from UC Berkeley. Haven’s research focuses on green infrastructure projects and their design effectiveness at both the practical (construction and maintenance) and psychological (aesthetic and therapeutic) levels. Through studies that investigate the intersection of reconciliation ecology and aesthetics, her work examines the environmental benefits, technological progress, and level of cultural acceptance of sustainable design.
A Message to Students and Parents
Growing up, I was endlessly curious about the spaces around me—how they were designed, how they functioned, and how nature and people interacted within them. That curiosity led me to a career exploring the intersection of ecology, aesthetics, and sustainability. As a professor of landscape architecture at UC Davis, I’m fortunate to research, teach, and practice sustainable design every day—whether that’s studying green infrastructure systems or stewarding the UC Davis Sheepmower program.
That’s why I’m so excited to bring students on the Sustainable Cities of Northern Europe program. We’ll travel together through some of the most forward-thinking cities in the world, where sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a lived experience. From floating hotels to walkable neighborhoods, from bike-friendly streets to eco-designed communities, these cities are full of lessons about how urban design can support both people and the planet.
Our “classrooms” will include canal-lined streets, green roofed structures, innovative housing projects, and public green spaces - places that ask us to think critically about climate resilience, resource use, and urban life. We’ll walk, bike, take public transportation, and immerse ourselves in cultures that treat sustainability not as an afterthought, but as a foundation.
As someone deeply committed to teaching both the theory and practice of sustainability, I look forward to guiding students through these dynamic environments. I believe in learning by doing and can’t wait to explore and learn alongside you this summer."