Welcome to

The Urban Nature Design Research Lab (under_lab) at UBC envisions cities where everyday nature is easily accessible, welcoming, and a source of joy for everyone.

We study how urban nature shapes people’s daily lives and translate that evidence into better design, planning, and policy.

How We Work

– We identify barriers to urban nature and the conditions that draw people in.
– We develop innovative methods to measure access, use, and experience.
– We partner with communities and agencies to turn evidence into action.

News Highlights

• May 26, 2026 – Keun was featured in a CBC News interview discussing how new regional park transit routes can help address nature access inequities across Metro Vancouver.
• May 21, 2026 – Keun participated in a UBC Alumni webinar on how cities can better integrate nature to create healthier, more equitable, and more resilient communities.
• December 9, 2025 – Our paper by Keun, Yiyang, and Kai Hei on equitable access to parks is featured in a UBC Forestry interview.
• November 17, 2025 – Dr. Everly Jazi becomes the first PhD graduate from the under_lab!