Zahra Salehi

PhD Student


Advisor: Jill Desimini and Julia Smachylo

Professional Credentials

  • M.Arch. in Architecture [SBU, Tehran, Iran]
    Thesis: Sustainable design approaches for energy saving and carbon emission reduction.
  • B.Arch. in Architecture [University of Kashan , Kashan, Iran]

Research Projects/Interests

My doctoral research is jointly supervised by Professor Jill Desimini (Climate Justice Design Lab, CJDL) and Professor Julia Smachylo (Landscape Health Lab).

Positioned at the intersection of climate justice design, political ecology, and landscape studies, my work examines how design frameworks and spatial tools can support more equitable and resilient environmental futures.
I focus on agrivoltaics and multifunctional landscapes, employing GIS-based land suitability analysis and multi-criteria decision-making to explore the integration of renewable energy with agricultural systems. Through this approach, my research seeks to bridge theory and practice by linking critical urban theory, ecological design, and energy justice within Connecticut and beyond.

Zahara Salehi posing for a portriat
Contact Information
Emailzahra.salehi@uconn.edu
Research Interests
  • Agrivoltaics and multifunctional landscapes
  • GIS and spatial decision-support tools (e.g.
  • AHP
  • land suitability analysis)
  • Sustainable urban agriculture and land-use planning
  • Climate-responsive and ecological design
  • Energy justice and political ecology
  • Food–energy–water nexus
  • Renewable energy integration in landscapes
  • Carbon emission reduction through design innovation
  • Restoration and regenerative design