Keith Christensen

Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning (LAEP)

Department Head, Professor | Inclusive Planning & Design


Keith Christensen

Contact Information

Office Location: FAV 228
Phone: 435-797-0507
Email: keith.christensen@usu.edu

Educational Background

PhD, Disability Disciplines, Utah State University, 2010
The Impact of the Physical Environment on the Social Integration of Individuals with Disabilities in Community
MLA, Utah State University, 2001
Inclusive Outdoor Playspace Development for Children with Special Needs
BS, Agronomy, Brigham Young University, 1998
Licensed Landscape Architect, Wyoming LA-0091C, 2008
CITI Research Protection Certification, CITI Research Protection, 2006
Licensed Landscape Architect, Utah 4986989-5301, 2002

Biography

As a scholar in both the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning and the Center for Persons with Disabilities, Keith engages in meaningful scholarship which is both emancipatory and empowering for disadvantaged populations’ integration in community life.

Teaching Interests

The motivation for Keith's student mentoring and teaching mirrors that of his scholarship; to engage in teaching which is both emancipatory and empowering. Keith works across courses to engage in a dialogue with students, setting high expectations, and working collaboratively to facilitate the process of discovery.

Research Interests

Keith's research is at the intersection of landscape architecture and disability studies. This blending is based on understanding disability through a social constructivist perspective as the limiting of opportunities to take part in community life because of physical and social barriers. Keith's research emphasizes inclusive design and planning practices which support participation in community through the removal of environmental barriers to social access, rather than the regulatory aspects of site specific design. As such, his scholarly efforts stress macro-level environmental factors and spatial processes (i.e. suburbanization, transportation patterns, segregate planning strategies, recreation amenities, etc.) which contribute to social disparities among individuals with disabilities and other disadvantaged populations.

Awards

Hero Award, 2016

PlayCore

Merit Award, 2014

American Society of Landscape Architects

Researcher of the Year, 2014

Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

Steven G. King Play Environments Scholarship, 2013

Landscape Architecture Foundation

Charles Lewis Excellence in Research Award, 2012

American Horticultural Therapy Association

ASLA Student Award of Excellence, 2011

American Society of Landscape Architects

Steven G. King Play Environments Scholarship, 2011

Landscape Architecture Foundation

Graduate Student Mentor of the Year, 2011

LAEP Graduate Students

Merit Award, 2010

American Society of Landscape Architects


Publications | Abstracts

  • Christensen, K.M, Scholarly Production Among Recently Tenured Landscape Architecture Faculty: A Longitudinal Study. Proceedings of CELA Annual Conference
  • Christensen, K., Michael, S.E, (2014). Assessing Landscape Architecture Faculty Scholarship. Landscape, City, and Community; 2014 Proceedings of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
  • Christensen, K., (2014). The Impact of Rural Community Environments on the Health-Related Behaviors of Individuals with Disabilities. Landscape, City, and Community; 2014 Proceedings of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
  • Christensen, K., (2013). The Relationship between Poverty, Community Land Use, and Older Adults’ Opportunities for Social Integration. . 2013 Proceedings of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
  • Christensen, K., (2011). The Other Olmstead; Socially Equitable Community Planning.. Urban Nature; 2011 Proceedings of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture
  • Christensen, K., (2011). The Relationship between Poverty, Community Land Use, and Older Adults’ Opportunities for Social Integration.. Urban Nature; 2011 Proceedings of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Publications | Book Chapters

  • Christensen, K., (2011). Social Inclusion: Words on Play; A treatise on its value by leading play scholars.. PlayCore, Inc.
  • Christensen, K., (2009). Features of an Inclusive Play Environment: The Third Teacher, 79 Ways You Can Use Design to Transform Teaching & Learning. . OWP/P Architects, VS Furniture, Bruce Mau Design

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Journal Articles

Academic Journal

  • Christensen, K.M, Michael, S.E, Sleipness, O.R, Snider, J., Scholarly Production Among Recently Tenured Landscape Architecture Faculty: A Longitudinal Study. Landscape Research Record
  • Chen, S., Sleipness, O., Xu, Y., Park, K., Christensen, K., (2020). A systematic review of alternative protocols for evaluating non-spatial dimensions of urban parks. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 53, 126718.
  • Park, K., Christensen, K., Lee, D., (2020). Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in behavior mapping: A case study of neighborhood parks. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 52, 126693.
  • Christensen, K., Michael, S.E, Sleipness, O., (2019). Revisiting Scholarly Productivity Among Recently Tenured Landscape Architecture Faculty. Landscape Research Record, 8, 15-24.
  • Chen, S., Sleipness, O., Christensen, K., Feldon, D., Xu, Y., (2019). Environmental Justice and Park Quality in an Intermountain West Gateway Community: Assessing the Spatial Autocorrelation. Landscape Ecology, 34:10, 2323-2335. doi: 10.1007/s10980-019-00891-y
  • Sharifi, M., Christensen, K., Chen, A., Song, Z., (2019). Exploring effects of environment density on heterogeneous populations' level of service perceptions. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 124, 115–127. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2019.03.007
  • Sleipness, O., Christensen, K., Chen, S., (2018). Research Methods within the MLA: Implications for Scholarly Inquiry in Landscape Architecture. Landscape Research Record, 7:1, 42-47.
  • Gaire, N., Song, Z., Christensen, K., Sharifi, M.S, Chen, A., (2018). Exit choice behavior of pedestrians involving individuals with disabilities during building evacuations. Transportation Research Record, 2672, 22-29. doi: 10.1177/0361198118756875
  • Christensen, K., Reyes, L., (2017). Creating Outdoor Play Environments to Support Social Interactions of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder; a Scoping Study. Landscape Research Record, 5, 128-140.
  • Brady, A., Christensen, K., Holt, J.M, (2017). The Changing View of Physical Recreation for People with Disabilities in the USA: A More Inclusive Perspective?. The Review of Disability Studies, 13:2, 3-17.
  • Manley, M., Kim, Y., Christensen, K., Chen, A., (2016). Airport Emergency Evacuation Planning: An Agent-based Simulation Study of Dirty Bomb Scenarios. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics: Systems, 46:10, 1390-1403. doi: 10.1109/TSMC.2015.2497213
  • Sharifi, M.S, Daniel, S., Christensen, K., Chen, A., (2016). Time headway modeling and capacity analysis of pedestrian facilities involving individuals with disabilities. Transportation Research Record, 16:2553, 41-51. doi: 10.3141/2553-05
  • Christensen, K., Knight, K., (2016). The Role Environmental Context Plays in Adults with Mobility Disabilities’ Physical Activity. The Review of Disability Studies, 12:1, 4-20.
  • Sharifi, M.S, Stuart, D., Christensen, K., Chen, A., Kim, Y., Chen, Y., (2015). Analysis of walking speeds involving individuals with disabilities in different indoor walking environments. Journal of Urban Planning and Development , doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000288
  • Sharifi, M.S, Stuart, D., Christensen, K., Chen, A., (2015). Traffic Flow Characteristics of Heterogeneous Pedestrian Stream Involving Individuals with Disabilities. Transportation Research Record, 15:2537, 111-125. doi: 10.3141/2537-13
  • Cloward Drown, K., Christensen, K., (2014). Dramatic Play Affordances of Natural and Manufactured Outdoor Settings for Preschool-Aged Children. Children, Youth and Environments, 24:2, 53-77.
  • Christensen, K., Michael, S.E, (2014). Quantifying Scholarly Production among Recently Tenured Landscape Architecture Faculty. Landscape Research Record, 2, 31-39.
  • Christensen, K., Byrne, B., (2014). Recognizing the Importance of the Built Environment in Individuals with Disabilities’ Community Integration: A Review of State’s Olmstead Plans.. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 25:3, 186-195. doi: 1044207313493009
  • Jansuwan, S., Christensen, K., Chen, A., (2013). Assessing the transportation needs of low-mobility individuals: Case study of a small urban community in Utah. ASCE Urban Planning and Development, 139:2, 104-114. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000142
  • Christensen, K., Holt, J.M, Wilson, J.F, (2013). The Relationship between Outdoor Recreation and Depression among Older Adults.. World Leisure Journal, 55:1, 72-82.
  • Holt, J.M, Christensen, K., (2013). Utahns’ Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Disability and Health Journal, 6:1, 52-62.
  • Jeongin, K., Kim, Y.S, Kim, B., Christensen, K., (2012). A Comparative Study of Evacuation Strategies for People with Disabilities in High-rise Building Evacuation. Expert Systems with Applications, 40:2013, 408-417.
  • Holt, J.M, Christensen, K., (2012). Utahns’ Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Disability and Health Journal
  • Wilson, J.F, Christensen, K., (2012). The Relationship between Outdoor Recreation and Depression among Individuals with Disabilities.. The Journal of Leisure Research, 44:4, 486-506.
  • Manley, M., Kim, Y.S, Christensen, K., Chen, A., (2011). Modeling Emergency Evacuation of Individuals with Disabilities in a Densely Populated Airport. Transportation Research Record, 2206, 36-48.
  • Christensen, K., (2011). The Effect of the Built Environment on the Evacuation of Individuals with Disabilities; an Investigation Involving Microsimulation Modeling. Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, 28:2, 118-128.
  • Wilson, J.F, Christensen, K., (2011). The Relationship between Gardening and Depression among Individuals with Disabilities. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 21:2, 29-41.
  • Christensen, K., Holt, J.M, Wilson, J.F, (2010). Effects of Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics and Use of Community Facilities on the Physical Activity of Adults with and without Disabilities. Preventing Chronic Disease; Public Health Research, Practice, and Policy, 7:5
  • Christensen, K., (2009). Socially Equitable Community Planning; including individuals with disabilities in the democratic association of place. Review of Disability Studies, 5:3, 49-52.
  • Christensen, K., Sasaki, Y., (2008). Agent-Based Emergency Evacuation Simulation with Individuals with Disabilities in the Population. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 11:3
  • Christensen, K., Holt, J.M, Blair, M.E, (2007). The Built Environment, Evacuations, and Individuals with Disabilities: a guiding framework for disaster policy and preparation. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 17:4, 249-254.
  • Christensen, K., Jeon, T.K, (2006). Creating Inclusive Outdoor Play Environments; Designing for Ability Rather than Disability. The Journal of Eyewitness in Special Education, 17:4, 48- 55.
  • Christensen, K., Holt, J.M, Collins, S.D, Phillips, C.N, (2006). The Relationship Between the Design of the Built Environment and the Ability to Egress of Individuals with Disabilities. Review of Disability Studies, 2:3, 24-34.

Professional Journal

  • Christensen, K., (2012). Comprehensive Inclusive Play Spaces!. California Parks & Recreation , 68:2, 60-62. *

Public or Trade Journal

  • Christensen, K., Morgan, J., (2003). When Child’s Play is Anything But; to help children with disabilities, design by types of activities, not types of equipment. NRPA, 38:4, 50- 53.

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Technical Reports

Research Reports

  • Christensen, K., (2015). Inclusive Emergency Management Planning. Rocky Mountain ADA Center *
  • Christensen, K., (2012). ADA Needs Assessment for Design/Build Professionals.. Rocky Mountain ADA Center

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Other

Magazine/Trade Publications

  • Hamarstrom, J., Christensen, K., (2014). A Great Place to Play in Nature? . The Field: American Society of Landscape Architects *
  • Christensen, K., (2010). me2; 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design. . PlayCore, Inc.

Newsletter

  • Christensen, K., Salmi, P., (2007). The Impact of Building Design on Evacuation of Persons with Disabilities. Impact

Other

  • Christensen, K., (2012). Comprehensive Inclusive Play Spaces!. California Association for the Education of Young Children *
  • Christensen, K., (2008). EveryBODY Plays!. *
  • Christensen, K., (2008). Inclusive Play; universal design for all.
  • Christensen, K., Morgan, J., (2004). EHS/HS Inclusive Outdoor Learning Environments; an introductory guide. *
  • Christensen, K., (2004). Inclusive Outdoor Learning Environments; an introductory guide. *

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Teaching

LAEP 2600 - Landscape Construction I, Fall 2023
LAEP 4350 - Travel Course, Spring 2023
LAEP 2600 - Landscape Construction I, Fall 2022
LAEP 6890 - Seminar on Thesis Proposals and Procedures, Fall 2022
LAEP 1300 - Digital Drafting, Illustration, and Modeling, Spring 2022
LAEP 6880 - Landscape Architecture Research Methods, Spring 2022
LAEP 2600 - Landscape Construction I, Fall 2021
LAEP 6890 - Seminar on Thesis Proposals and Procedures, Fall 2021
LAEP 1300 - Digital Drafting, Illustration, and Modeling, Spring 2021
LAEP 6890 - Seminar on Thesis Proposals and Procedures, Fall 2020
LAEP 1300 - Digital Drafting, Illustration, and Modeling, Spring 2020
SPED 7940 - Journal Reading Group, Spring 2020
LAEP 4110 - Landscape Construction II, Spring 2020
LAEP 6860 - Faculty/Interdisciplinary Seminar I, Fall 2019
LAEP 2600 - Landscape Construction I, Fall 2019
LAEP 6960 - Masters Project, Fall 2019
LAEP 6890 - Seminar on Thesis Proposals and Procedures, Fall 2019
SPED 7820 - Seminar: Special Topics, Fall 2019
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2019
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2019
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2019
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2019
LAEP 6960 - Masters Project, Spring 2019
LAEP 4900 - Special Problems, Spring 2019
, Fall 2018
LAEP 2600 - Landscape Construction I, Fall 2018
LAEP 6960 - Masters Project, Fall 2018
LAEP 6890 - Seminar on Thesis Proposals and Procedures, Fall 2018
REH 7750 - Social and Legal Context of Disability, Fall 2018
SPED 7750 - Social and Legal Context of Disability, Fall 2018
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2018
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2018
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2018
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2018
SPED 7940 - Journal Reading Group, Spring 2018
LAEP 6110 - Landscape Planning for Wildlife, Fall 2017
SPED 7820 - Seminar: Special Topics, Fall 2017
LAEP 1300 - 2D Color Graphic Representation, Spring 2017
SPED 7940 - Journal Reading Group, Spring 2017
SPED 7820 - Seminar: Special Topics, Fall 2016
LAEP 1300 - Computer Applications in Landscape Architecture, Spring 2016
LAEP 1300 - Computer Applications in Landscape Architecture, Spring 2016
LAEP 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement, Spring 2016
SPED 7820 - Seminar: Special Topics, Spring 2016
LAEP 4900 - Special Problems, Spring 2016
LAEP 2600 - Landscape Construction I, Fall 2015
SPED 7820 - Seminar: Special Topics, Fall 2015
LAEP 6960 - Masters Project, Spring 2015
SPED 7040 - Literature Review, Fall 2014
LAEP 6900 - Special Problems, Spring 2014
LAEP 6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement, Fall 2013
LAEP 2700 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2013
LAEP 6270 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2013
SPED 7900 - Independent Study, Spring 2013
LAEP 6900 - Special Problems, Spring 2013
SPED 7060 - Research Internship, Fall 2012
LAEP 2700 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2012
LAEP 6270 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2012
SPED 7340 - College Teaching Internship, Summer 2012
REH 7730 - Disability Law and Policy, Spring 2012
LAEP 6960 - Master¿s Project, Spring 2012
LAEP 6900 - Research Methods in Landscape Architecture, Spring 2012
LAEP 6890 - Seminar on Thesis Proposals and Procedures, Spring 2012
LAEP 4900 - Special Problems, Spring 2012
LAEP 6900 - Special Problems, Spring 2012
LAEP 2700,6270 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2011
LAEP 4900 - Special Problems, Fall 2011
LAEP 2720 - SITE PLANNING/DESIGN, Spring 2011
LAEP 6970 - THESIS RESEARCH, Spring 2011
LAEP 2700 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2010
LAEP 6270 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2010
LAEP 4130 - Emerging Areas in Landscape Architecture, Spring 2010
LAEP 6890 - Thesis Proposals and Methods Seminar, Spring 2010
LAEP 6910 - Journal Reading Seminar, Fall 2009
LAEP 2700 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2009
LAEP 4120 - Emerging Areas in Landscape Architecture, Spring 2009
LAEP 2720 - Site Planning and Design, Spring 2009
LAEP 6910 - Journal Reading Seminar, Fall 2008
LAEP 2700 - Site Analysis: Social, Behavioral, and Biophysical Dimensions, Fall 2008
LAEP 6100 - Regional Planning, Fall 2007
LAEP 2700 - Social & Environmental Dimensions of Site Analysis, Fall 2007
LAEP 4900 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Spring 2007
LAEP 4900 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Spring 2006
LAEP 3120 - Residential Design and Planning, Spring 2005
LAEP 2700 - Environmental Dimensions of Site Analysis, Fall 2004
LAEP 2700 - Environmental Dimensions of Site Analysis, Fall 2003

Extension

Lions Park Master Plan Revisions, 2009 - 2010

Graduate Students Mentored

Afnan Mohammad, Landscape & Environmental Plan
McKall Vigil, Landscape & Environmental Plan
Sam Johnson, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2023
Brenda Smith, Special Education & Rehab 2022
Erin Mann, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2021
Humaira Yusuf Nabeela, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2020
Nicholas LeSchofs, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2020
Lindsie Smith, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2020
Ariel Wright, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2019
Cherissa Alldredge, Special Education & Rehab 2019
Aubin Douglas, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2018
Anna Brady, Special Education & Rehab 2017
Shuolei Chen, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2017
Courtney Fernelius, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2017
Nicholas Tanner, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2017
Graydon Bascom, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2017
Kimberly Cloward, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2014
Chris Harrild, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2013
Jeff Dzikowski, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2012
Justin Wilson, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2012
Rebecca Buckley, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2012
Sherri Marie French, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2012
Jeff Hamarstrom, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2012
Osmer Beck, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2010
Skyler Westergard, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2010
Carmen Santana, Landscape & Environmental Plan 2009