Urban Planning

The iconic Southern California coastline is more than just a summer vacation spot, it’s a dynamic, shifting landscape currently caught in a tug-of-war between nature and infrastructure. Join Spotlight OC for an immersive beach walk at Doheny State Beach, led by UC Irvine Chancellor's Professor Brett Sanders. This isn’t your typical stroll in the sand; we’re diving deep into the literal “ground” beneath our feet to understand why our beaches are changing and what the future holds for our coastal community. Stick around after the walk for light refreshments and a chance to network with fellow Orange County residents, professionals and environmental enthusiasts.

During this walk, we will explore:
 

The School of Social Ecology's Social Impact Hub and Career Services & Field Study present a Policy Careers Panel and lunch with panelists:

The Water UCI Speaking of Water Series presents a talk by Nataly Escobedo Garcia, policy manager of water/climate programs with the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability and a UC Irvine alumna ('24, PhD social ecology).

David Feldman, Water UCI's director, is the moderator.

Many Californians, particularly low-income communities and communities of color, face persistent and overlapping barriers to equitable water access. These challenges extend beyond simple availability and include limited political representation, unaffordable water rates, aging or inadequate infrastructure, and exclusion from decision-making processes that shape water governance.

Such inequities are often intensified in unincorporated areas and regions affected by chronic groundwater overdraft, where regulatory gaps and fragmented oversight can leave residents without reliable access to water. In regions like the San Joaquin Valley, these systemic issues are further compounded by agricultural demands, climate pressures, and long-standing patterns of environmental injustice. Residents in these communities are more likely to experience unsafe drinking water, including contamination from nitrates and other pollutants, while also facing higher relative costs for basic water services.

This free talk will explore the structural and policy-driven obstacles that limit access to clean, safe, and affordable water in the San Joaquin Valley. 

Department of Urban Planning & Public Policy Professor Doug Houston and postdoctoral scholar Vivianna Goh are among the speakers at this UC Irvine Climate Collaboration Annual Symposium session, which brings together researchers, public health experts and community partners to explore how small-scale green spaces can deliver meaningful climate, health, and social benefits in urban environments.

The UC Irvine Labor Center's Labor Research Talks series continues for the 2026 Spring Quarter with Alfonso Hedge.

The doctoral candidate at USC Annenberg School of Communications works on new technological development and creative labor industries, specifically entertainment unions. He will be sharing his expertise on the tensions within the division of labor between specialized technical workers and artificial intelligence (AI).

Make sure to RSVP via the link or the QR code on the flier in case of program changes and to obtain advance readings.

Thea Riofrancos of the Department of Political Science at Providence College is the final speaker in the 2026 Climate Justice Lecture Series presented by the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology and its Climate & Urban Sustainability Program and Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music & Social Change.

The associate professor, who is also a strategic co-director of the Climate and Community Institute, focuses her research on resource extraction, climate change, the energy transition, the global lithium sector, green technologies, social movements, and the Latin American left. 

Presented by the School of Social Ecology and its Climate & Urban Sustainability Program and Alec Glasser Center for the Power of Music & Social Change, the Climate Justice Lecture Series returns for its second half.

David N. Pellow of the Department of Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara speaks on what the title is of his book. Human societies have always been deeply interconnected with our ecosystems, but today those relationships are witnessing greater frictions, tensions, and harms than ever before. These dynamics mirror those experienced by marginalized communities across the planet, but they also provide a foundation for a foundation of transformative thinking and action to address these challenges.

In a talk based on the second edition of Pellow's acclaimed book, What Is Critical Environmental Justice?, the professor introduces a new framework for critically analyzing environmental justice scholarship and activism.

His lecture will be moderated by UC Irvine Assistant Professor Mukul Kumar of the Department of Urban Planning & Public Policy.

No RSVP is required to attend this free event.

Southern California will become the world’s mega-events capital over the next several years. During 2026 through 2028, our region will host—among other events—the FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

What effect will these games have on our region, and how do we ensure that working families in Orange County and throughout the region will benefit from them?

Join the UC Irvine Labor Center with leaders from the Fair Games Coalition to learn about the fight for living wage jobs to support families, affordable housing, fair and dignified treatment of immigrant communities at the World Cup and Olympic games!

The UC Irvine Labor Center, in partnership with the departments of Chicano Latino Studies, Film & Media Studies, and Urban Planning & Public Policy, invites you to attend a free screening of the documentary American Agitators, with an introduction by award-wining director and producer Raymond Telles. 

The film chronicles the life of Fred Ross, one of the most influential community and labor organizers of the 20th century. Ross helped to train legendary labor activists, such as Dolores Huerta, and developed organizing tactics still used today.

Join CRB Nexus: Where Policy Meets Research for a live virtual discussion featuring Dr. Craig Clements, Dr. Michael Méndez and Dr. Nícola Ulibarrí as they discuss Wildfires and Natural Disasters in policy and practice.

In support of a vibrant community of practice, this event will NOT be recorded. When you register, a URL for the online event will be sent via email.