Cynthia Girling is a Professor in the Landscape Architecture Program. She received her Bachelor's and Master's in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oregon. She also holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Manitoba.
Throughout her career, working in the private, public and academic practice of landscape architecture, Girling has focused on open space design at several spatial scales - yards, neighborhoods, and open space systems. Scholarship, creative work, service to the profession and studio teaching weave together in her professional and academic work. Girling has taught studios at all levels of undergraduate and graduate programs and courses that include landscape technologies, professional practice, open space planning, stormwater design, and classes related to preparation for the Graduate project.
With Professor Ronald Kellett, she co-directs the elementslab, a research group in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia. At the heart of the LAB's work is the question of integrating compact, mixed use urban development with a healthy, "working" landscape that contributes to environmental health. The integration of neighborhood open spaces with naturally-based stormwater management systems is a key component of the "green neighborhoods" that they design and Girling's primary area of expertise and work with the LAB.
Girling and Ronald Kellett are co-authors of elementsdb, a database of field-measured examples of urban land uses. elementsdb catalogues comparably illustrated and measured examples of the 'elements' of urban form_ parks and open spaces, streets, residential, commercial, civic and industrial parcels and buildings. elementsdb is intended as a tool that supports students, professionals and researchers in the quest to design more sustainable urban regions.
Giring is co-author with Ron Kellett of the 2005 book Skinny Streets and Green Neighborhoods Design for Environment and Community (Island Press). With Maria Galdon and Lara Davis, they also authored the 2008 Research Report, Green Infrastructure in Calgary's Mobility Corridors, which won a 2009 CSLA National Merit award; a 2000 publication, Green Neighborhoods Planning and Design Guidelines for Air Water and Urban Forest Quality. With Kenneth Helphand, Girling authored Yard Street Park the Design of Suburban Open Space in 1994 (Wiley).