Dr. Robert Marans

Biography

Robert W. Marans is an Emeritus Professor of Architecture and Urban Regional Planning at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. Throughout his career, Dr. Marans conducted evaluative research studies focusing on communities, neighborhoods, housing, parks, and recreational facilities, examining how physical and sociocultural environments influence individual and group behavior, as well as quality of life. His current research addresses cultural issues related to sustainability and climate change within institutional settings like universities, emphasizing the effects of built and natural environments on overall quality of life. A licensed architect from 1967 to 2021, Marans has taught graduate courses for more than 30 years and has served as director of various programs within the planning field. He has been actively involved in recreation policy in southeastern Michigan and has held numerous positions, including commissioner and chair of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority and trustee for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. An accomplished author, Marans has published 10 books and over 100 articles and technical reports, with his recent work titled "Handbook of Quality of Life Research" set to publish in early 2024. He received several prestigious awards, including the Progressive Architecture Applied Research Award and the Design Research Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Marans is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and has lectured extensively across multiple continents.

Research Interests