bio

Brian Deal teaches courses in physical planning, sustainable planning theory, energy systems in planning, and a multidisciplinary workshop on the application of sustainable planning principles. He also teaches course material online that contribute toward a better understanding of sustainability in planning and the USGBC’s LEED rating system. His research activities have focused on developing and deploying planning tools that engage the profession of planning and ultimately help communities make better decisions. His current research includes urban land use transformation and modeling, the development of useful decision support tools, and research into energy systems and planning for climate change. He is the Director of the Land use Evolution and impact Assessment Modeling (LEAM) Laboratory and the Director of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC). He is also one of the primary authors of the University of Illinois’ climate action plan (iCAP), is a faculty mentor to the Student Sustainability Committee, and chairs the facilities committee for campus sustainability planning efforts.

Previous positions have included a decade of professional practice in architecture and as a senior researcher with the Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), where he focused on issues of sustainable design and development utilizing spatial simulation modeling techniques for military facilities. Professor Deal received a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois with a specialization in land use planning, modeling, and analysis. He also holds a master’s degree and professional license in architecture.