Steven Clarke is a licensed landscape architect, urban designer, and associate professor in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) at the University of Guelph. With over 30 years of experience, his work bridges practice, research, and education — advancing inclusive, regenerative, and resilient communities through collaborative design, action, and scholarship.
Steven currently serves as Graduate Program Coordinator and Community Engagement Coordinator in the Landscape Architecture program. His teaching focuses on fostering critical inquiry, collaboration, and design leadership, offering students hands-on opportunities to engage in real-world projects that blend regenerative and resilient design thinking with social impact. He is deeply committed to creating learning environments that build courage to support confidence and personal growth, while connecting students with industry, government, and community partners.
Steven’s research explores how design can act as a catalyst for systems change—shaping more regenerative, resilient, and inclusive communities. Rooted in place-based inquiry and interdisciplinary collaboration, his work addresses critical challenges such as climate adaptation, food systems, and material innovation. As both a researcher and educator, he integrates scholarship directly into teaching, offering students opportunities to work with stakeholders and contribute to meaningful change through design.
His current research includes the SSHRC Healthy Cities Research Training Platform (HCRTP), where he leads an Implementation Lab guiding students across Canada in tackling SMART Healthy Cities challenges blending design thinking with implementation science and transdisciplinary methods. He is also a Core Team Member of Globally We Design (GloWD), a global thought-leadership initiative addressing critical issues through innovative design thinking, practice, and processes.
Prior to joining the University of Guelph, Steven served as Director of the UNLV Downtown Design Center in Las Vegas, where he led award-winning community projects, including The HUNDRED Plan for the Historic Westside, which was adopted by City Council. In recognition of his work with the City, he was appointed to the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Redevelopment Agency, serving as Chair in his final term.
Steven’s work is guided by a deep commitment to place-based design, working across disciplines to bring people together, support communities, and help shape more regenerative, resilient futures — all while mentoring the next generation of changemakers.
Steven’s research spans a wide range of topics in landscape architecture at the intersection of design, community, and systems thinking. His areas of interest include:
Steven’s current research explores regenerative systems, interdisciplinary design practice, and inclusive community-building. These projects connect design innovation with real-world applications in urban environments.
Steven’s research explores design strategies that support climate-responsive, socially inclusive, and resilient communities. He is currently investigating the use of bio-based materials as part of a broader shift toward regenerative systems thinking in design and infrastructure. His work in this area blends material innovation with place-based design and policy frameworks, supporting interdisciplinary efforts to build communities that are adaptable, circular, and equitable.
Steven continues to advance the field of agricultural urbanism through design-based research, planning strategies, and cross-sector collaborations that integrate food systems into the urban fabric. His work explores how urban agriculture, open-space networks, and regenerative planning principles can contribute to more sustainable, healthy, and connected communities. His past research informed the foundational Las Vegas Food District and contributed to the landmark publication Agricultural Urbanism: Handbook for Building Sustainable Food Systems in 21st Century Cities.
Steven’s research on design leadership examines how landscape architects and designers can serve as facilitators of collaborative change across sectors. He contributes to national and international platforms—including Globally We Design (GloWD) and the Healthy Cities Research Training Platform (HCRTP)—to promote leadership models rooted in empathy, equity, and transdisciplinary practice. His work champions the role of design in civic engagement, education, and policy transformation.
Steven’s work on large-scale community planning initiatives—such as the Las Vegas Food District, NARA Rural Preservation Neighborhood Plan, and The HUNDRED Plan—has shaped public policy, guided civic revitalization, and advanced equity-focused urban design.
As Director of the UNLV Downtown Design Center, Steven led the development of The HUNDRED Plan - a community-based revitalization strategy for the Historic Westside of Las Vegas. Created through extensive engagement with residents, stakeholders, and City officials, the plan was formally adopted by Las Vegas City Council in 2018. Since then, the project has been recognized for its civic design leadership, inclusive engagement process, and contribution to equity-driven planning. Its influence continues to be cited in public discourse, design media, and academic research.
Selected Media and Features:
Steven collaborates with a wide range of municipalities, nonprofits, developers, and cultural institutions to deliver place-based design solutions rooted in local values and priorities. These projects create real-world opportunities for students and offer meaningful contributions to communities through regenerative planning, design advocacy, and creative engagement strategies.
Steven takes a student-centered, mentorship-driven approach to advising. He works closely with graduate students to support critical inquiry, design innovation, and professional growth. By connecting students with interdisciplinary teams and external collaborators, he fosters research that is both academically rigorous and socially impactful. Many of his students engage in applied studio-based research, work with community or industry partners, and contribute to evolving conversations around resilience, regeneration, and inclusive design. He welcomes students interested in design thinking, leadership, and regenerative design practice.
Graduate Students:
Rescheleit, Stefi, topic: Gamified 3D Planning Environment for Climate Adaptation Strategies, 2025-26.
Mettler, Christine, topic: Stormwater Management, 2023-26.
Amin, Saina, title: The Nourishing Square: Reimagining St. George’s Square in Guelph, Ontario, through Biophilic Design and Agricultural Urbanism, 2022-25.
Deratnay, Sarah, title: Reimagining Jamaica’s Bauxite Mines: A Design-Based Rehabilitation Approach through Landscape Architecture, 2022-25.
Brown, Tyler, title: Rooftop Agricultural Design for Public Visibility in Guelph, Ontario, 2022-24.
Lau, Victoria Big Yue, title: Food and Water: Creating a Circular Economy by Implementing Urban Agriculture in a Mixed-Use Development, 2022-24.
Schneider, Harley, title: The Past, Present and Future of the Guelph Correctional Centre: A Design-based Proposal for Urban Agriculture and Adaptive Reuse for an Underused Landscape, 2021-24.
Wan, Qian (Jennifer), title: Cultural Exchange in Landscape Architecture: A Study of Chinese Comprehensive Parks to Improve Toronto’s Public Space for Immigrants, 2021-24.
Garwood, Susan, title: Ethical Urbanism: Cultivating Compassion to Drive the Development of Sustainable Urban Landscapes, 2020-23.
Lalonde, Abigayle, title: Re-imagining Escapism: The Role of Landscape Architecture in Responsible Cottage Shoreline Design in Muskoka, Ontario, 2020-23.
Xu, Zihan (Linda), topic: An Application of Autism-responsive Landscape Design in Commercial Plaza Space, 2021-23.
Susek, Jenna, title: Beyond the Community Garden: Designing Multifunctional Edible Landscapes in Saskatoon’s Public Parks, 2019-22.
Alvarez, Diego, title: Place Making for Ghost Towns: Cultivating a Design Intervention for the Disintegration of the Ghost Town of Rhyolite, Nevada, 2019-21.
Steven’s publications reflect the breadth of his design research and applied scholarship—from agricultural urbanism and regenerative community design to inclusive planning strategies and material innovation. His work contributes to conversations across design, planning, sustainability, and public policy.
Clarke, S., & Lau, V. (2024). Harvest Village: Reutilizing Urban Wastewater for Cultivating a Regenerative, Smart & Healthy Community.
Presents a strategic framework for integrating agricultural urbanism through wastewater reuse for Redwood Properties. (238 pages)
Clarke, S., Baird, D., & Alvarez, D. (2020). City Impact Center: Campus Plan.
Provides a masterplan for a multi-use campus serving the City Impact Center in Las Vegas. (192 pages)
Clarke, S. (2019). NARA Rural Preservation Neighborhood Plan.
Outlines a preservation strategy for a rural community facing urbanization, developed through interdisciplinary engagement with students, faculty, consultants, and residents. (270 pages).
Clarke, S., Baird, D., & Alvarez, D. (2017). Reimagine V2: The Garden of Science and Technology & Classroom at the Springs Preserve.
Documents a student-led design process for a science and technology garden and standalone classroom at the Springs Preserve, Las Vegas. (164 pages).
Clarke, S., Baird, D., & Alvarez, D. (2017). Reimagine: The Origen Museum at the Springs Preserve.
Summarizes a student-based design proposal to expand and reinterpret the temporary exhibit space and garden at the Springs Preserve. (86 pages).
Clarke, S. (2016). HUNDRED Plan for the Historic Westside Community.
Details a comprehensive, community-led neighborhood revitalization plan. Developed through extensive engagement, the plan was officially adopted by Las Vegas City Council in 2018. (206 pages). Learn more at City of Las Vegas, Hundred Plan.
Clarke, S., Zawarus, P., Alvarez, D., & Tracy, T. (2015). Springs Preserve Playground: PLAY Workshop & Research.
Presents a redesign strategy for the Springs Preserve playground based on interactive workshops with children and parents. (241 pages).
Baird, D., Clarke, S., Coulter, S., & Tracy, T. (2013). Las Vegas Food District.
Proposes a regenerative, food-centered urban district for this Nevada Community Foundation–sponsored initiative. (36 pages).
Justice, D., Clarke, S., Mosquin, D., & England, K. (2015). Vancouver Trees.
A mobile app (iOS) funded by the Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation, offering an interactive guide to tree species in Vancouver. Available on App Store.
Clarke, S. (2015). Agricultural Urbanism: Lessons from the Cultural Landscape of Messinia. Athens Journal of Tourism, pp. 19–36.
Explores agricultural urbanism through the lens of traditional land-use practices in southern Greece.
Clarke, S. (2014). Las Vegas Food District: The Integration of Agricultural Urbanism and Regenerative Design. Food Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 3(3), pp. 11–25. Analyzes the planning and design of a regenerative, food-focused urban district in Las Vegas.
Clarke, S., Karakas, J., Cramer, K., & Holland, M. (2010).
Urban and Open-Space Design for Food and Agriculture. de la Salle, J., & Holland, M. (Eds.), Agricultural Urbanism: Handbook for Building Sustainable Food & Agriculture Systems in 21st Century Cities (pp. 122–149). Winnipeg: Green Frigate Books. Contributes design strategies for integrating food systems into cities through vibrant, sustainable open spaces.
Steven welcomes opportunities to work with students, community partners, design professionals, and researchers who share a passion for regenerative design, resilient communities, and inclusive engagement. Whether through studio-based projects, collaborative research, or academic supervision, his work is grounded in building strong, values-aligned partnerships. He is especially interested in connecting with:
Note: Due to email volume, general inquiries about funding without a clear research alignment will not receive a response.
If your work aligns with Steven’s research or practice, he welcomes the opportunity to connect.